Bimbo Business. Part One.

Though I have never visited childrenswear exhibitions before, the Florentine Pitti Bimbo 2013 impressed me with its creative approach to business of kids fashion. Installations and decorations as well as styles and designs were more than impressive.  

Booths of well-established in the “adults’ world” brands like Diesel, Moschino, Versace, Fendi, Paul Smith, and etc. that presented their kids lines at the fair were full of visitors and distributors, which reflects interest in children’s high fashion among modern consumers/parents. At the same time the popularity of these high level fashion brands proves the returning of the trend to show the status of parents by dressing up the kids. 

Three brands that attracted my attention at the exhibition were Missoni, Young Versace and Diesel. All three brands while featuring different styles and collections stayed loyal to their own brand concepts while presenting kids collections. 

For example, Diesel, which was inspired by the Rock&Roll trend in its latest collection, was still focused on jeans, which is the main product of the brand.

Booths' decorations of these brands were appealing and provided distributors and clients with a lot of space for comfortable visit, which is extremely important.

Speaking about trends... Besides the obvious for kids’ collections Floral & Princess & Cartoon trends three seasonal trends captured my attention at the fair.

- The Marine Trend. 

Many brands presented at the Pitti Bimbo have featured Marine trend in their designs. 

Inspired by summer, sea, and cruises, many brands have used marine symbolics at their spring/summer collections and also booth decorations. 

Typical for marine trend white & blue stripes were the dominant decoration. Beside that brands have also featured such marine symbolics as anchors, and white collars as decoration.

Natural materials and colors were dominating at the collections focused on Marine trend.

- Trend that I would call “Already Adults”. I have noticed that childrenswear brands take inspirations for their designs in the latest trends from the catwalk.

Of course, kinds do not even know about the existence of high fashion but as the main target audience of kids’ brands is adults, this is wise strategic move in order to attract stylish parents. At the same time many parents would love to see their kids wearing designers clothes as it proves their own social status and sense of style. It once again explains the popularity of kids collections of established fashion hi-end brands, which has been discusses before.

“Already Adults” trend has been interpreted in all the possible colors, materials and silhouettes. On the pictures we may see the interpretation of the transparent Valentino coat, Kenzo sweater, Missoni print, and Chanel jacket at kids collections. 

- The Rock & Roll trend. Targeting both boys and girls the Rock & Roll trend was presented by many brands, such as Diesel, Converse, Versace Young, Happiness. It was represented by stylized skulls and stars on T-shirts, pants and jackets, sometimes embroidered and decorated with crystals. This trend has been presented in many different colors and textiles, mostly focusing on graphics and embroidery techniques. 

Kseniya.