Wednesday 23 September 2015

Oh my goodness!

High-end girlswear brand Oh...My! has gone from strength-to-strength since winning our A/W15 Rising Star award. Ahead of its return to Bubble, we've been talking challenges, sneak-peeks and sold-out collections with designer Anna Davies...



Hi Anna! Firstly, could you tell us a bit about yourself?

After graduating with a degree in textile design, I started out as a junior womenswear designer - until the opportunity arose to design within the childrenswear department. I have always enjoyed designing childrenswear - I love the way you can be a little more adventurous and playful. 

So, of course, when I was approached with the opportunity to head-up the design for Oh...My!, I jumped at the chance!

 How have things changed for Oh...My! since your debut appearance at Bubble in February 2015?

It's been a very busy and exciting year! We've been working on boosting our presence in the market, and as a result have gained interest from many international and UK stockists. 

Congratulations! What was the best thing about winning our Rising Star award?

It's given us status, and the confidence to boldly launch ourselves into the high-end kidswear market. It's also given us much-needed exposure and publicity, enabling us to be on the radar of more stockists and buyers. Bubble has always been at the forefront of launching new, up-and-coming brands, and we will always be thankful to it for setting us off on the right foot. 





Your debut range recently sold out in Harvey Nichols. Could you tell us a bit more about this?

Yes! This was such an exciting start to our first season. Not only to stock in Harvey Nichols but to sell out was a huge success for us. We are thrilled!

What does the design process entail?

Designing for Oh...My! keeps me on my toes! There is never a dull moment. There is a constant trial and error process throughout, until we eventually come up with a final product that we're happy with. 

When designing a collection, I always focus directly on researching trend forecasts for the following season. Moodboards are the next step - they are great for presenting potential ideas and displaying new fabrics, colours and styles. 

Following this, I will put fabric and garment shapes together. I tend to design four design stories, with ten items in each story. When designing collections, I purposely design items that can be mixed-and-matched across the range. 



To finish off the process, I work with my lovely pattern cutter and machinist, who create the patterns and make the beautiful first samples. A long, but oh-so rewarding process! 

What's the single biggest challenge you've faced as a new-to-market brand?

Being one among a sea of great kidswear brands, our challenge, as with any new brand, is to get our name noticed in the marketplace. Focussing not only on creating a quality product but also communicating our brand identity is important in terms of our place in the massive world of childrenswear! The possibility of collaborating with some of our favourite British brands in the near future is something we hope will make us more identifiable among our target customer. Watch this space!

What are you working on at the moment? Could you tell us a bit more about your next range?

At the moment we are working on our A/W16 collection. I don't want to give too much away, but think luxurious fabrics, cute, playful details, and fresh bespoke prints - and, of course, that air of English charm that runs through every Oh...My! collection. We are currently preparing for our A/W16 photoshoot, and a sneak-peek will be revealed in November. 

Why have you decided to return to Bubble in January 2016?

This is our third time exhibiting at Bubble, and we are hoping for yet another successful show. It's such a creative and lively event, and gives us the chance to really showcase our new collection and talk to potential new customers. It's also a a great time to talk to more established brands, to gain a better market insight. We are looking forward to seeing what Bubble London A/W16 has in store for us!




And we're looking forward to finding out what Oh...My! has is store for us! See you at the show, Anna. 

Fancy exhibiting alongside Oh...My!? Or even entering our Rising Star award? Apply for a stand at the A/W16 edition here...

Friday 18 September 2015

Bugaboo and Diesel

Bugaboo is renowned for its high-profile collaborations - and we love the latest, with iconic lifestyle brand Diesel


The two industry heavyweights have worked together before, creating a range of cool, military-inspired pushchairs and accessories. 

Their second collection takes its inspiration from the fabric with which Diesel is synonymous - namely, denim. 


Two strollers - the Bugaboo Buffalo and Bugaboo Donkey - have been given a tough makeover; think washed denim fabric, exposed zips, rivets, pockets and logo patches. 




The brands have also created a matching denim bag with leather details. 


We think this cool, urban collection might be our favourite yet! How about you? 

Tuesday 15 September 2015

New season, new signings...

How better to kick-start the new season, than with a host of exciting new signings? Meet four brands set to make their Bubble debut at the A/W16 edition...

From Babies With Love




Launching this autumn, From Babies With Love is a brand with a truly unique vision. The pioneering label donates 100% of its profits to charity, supporting abandoned and orphaned babies around the world. 





Designed for children aged 0 - 24 months, its debut collection comprises soft cotton sleepsuits, t-shirts, blankets and hats. Each piece features one of four animal-character illustrations (the rabbit, the duck, the frog and the monkey) - which, in a nod to the label's postmark logo, are clever collages, composed of vintage postage materials. 



Former accountant Cecilia Crossley was inspired to launch the brand after becoming a mother - and, today, it supports over 500 babies in 25 different countries. One to watch! 

Petite Vigogne



Petite Vigogne offers an alternative to bright colours and bold prints, creating classic, understated nursery bedding and accessories in 100% Pima cotton. 

Thanks to the high-quality blend, its nursery products are uniquely warm and durable - not to mention soft. 





The brand also creates hand-knitted baby gifts in 100% Alpaca and Pima cotton. 

Pipkits


New Bubble brand Pipkits offers a variety of kid's jewellery-making kits - from 'party boxes' (which can be used as part of a jewellery-making party), to friendship bracelet ranges. 




Each kit comes in a keepsake can or box, perfect for storing finished bracelets and necklaces. 

Buffalo and Bear



British brand Buffalo and  Bear creates everyday clothing and accessories for babies and toddlers; think soft-soled leather moccasins, printed clothing and uber-cool bedding. 




Inspired by the wild, the label's 2016 collection features soft hues, earthy shades and on-trend metallics (we love those gold shoes!) Its blankets, babygrows and leggings are designed and made in Britain, using soft, eco-friendly cotton.  

Catch From Babies With Love, Petite Vigogne, Pipkits and Buffalo and Bear at the A/W16 edition of Bubble London...

Fancy showing alongside them? You can apply for a stand here...

Friday 11 September 2015

Up, up and away...

If you came along to Bubble's A/W15 show, you might remember our OOTD chair installation, complete with giant balloons. We thought it looked seriously impressive - but Covent Garden has gone one (or rather 100,000!) better. 




French artist Charles Pétillon has unveiled his first public art installation, Heartbeat, in the 19th century market building's grand interior - and it comprises 100,000 giant, white balloons. 

The 54 metre creation is lit by a gently pulsating white glow, which represents Covent Garden's status as the beating heart of the area. 



Pétillon is best known for his Invasions, in which he fills ordinary spaces - from basketball courts, to derelict houses and even cars - with thousands of white balloons. 

He explained that these sculptures change the way people see everyday things - adding that his latest work was designed to be as alive and vibrant as the area itself. 





Heartbeat will run until 27 September, alongside a pop-up gallery featuring Pétillon's photographs and work. Catch it while you can!