A couple of weeks ago, when I joined the Kids Fashion App Lil’Stylers I came across Color Me WHIMSY. A webshop dedicated to introducing you to great kids style directly from South Korea’s Namdaemun Market.
Namdaemun Market is not only South Korea’s largest and oldest traditional market, but also the one whose influence spans Asia’s entire fashion industry. So if you’re looking for stylish, interesting and unique clothes that will set your child(ren) apart from the crowd… Look no further!
It’s about time for an interview with one of the owners of Color Me WHIMSY, meet Marsha Annon!
How would you describe your webshop?
Color Me WHIMSY is a fast-paced, fashion boutique filled with super-cool, practical items that are suitable for kids on the go. All items not only look good, but are easy for children to maneuver in, making them perfect for child’s play. We focus largely on giving the customer as much information as possible, so they know what they are getting before making their purchase. We pay great attention to the images we upload, whether they are styled with a model or not. For the most part, customers will find inspirational pictures, very detailed close up images, (to the point where you can almost feel the fabric), and model sizing information.
Why clothing from South Korea?
This really was a no-brainer for us. First of all South Korea is the fashion hotspot in Asia, offering unique styles made with top notch fabric. Secondly my husband Ju (who is Korean) grew up within a retail family, his mother has owned her own boutique now for 40 some years, and she has been our rock, advising us on the business side. Thirdly, I fell in love with the designs and the quality of the clothing. Being from England I thought it more suited my tastes than what American fashion has to offer. I really like the fact that my daughter not only looks good, but she is also comfortable in what she is wearing. Clothing that is not too tight, or too baggy, not constricting, so very easy for her to maneuver, she loves to climb, run and jump. In a pair of jeans I’d bought for her from the Gap, she was unable to raise her leg comfortably at the playground to climb on the frames. Now she can do everything.
What is your favorite piece available in your webshop at the moment?
This is a difficult question for me to answer as we are constantly adding new items to our WebShop (at least 4 times a week). Let me explain, we deal in the fast-paced fashions of Namdaemun Market which is South Korea’s oldest and largest traditional marketplace. It is a highly competitive place where designers must keep on their toes and constantly come up with new designs in order to survive. I merchandize every single day, pouring over hundreds of items, but only selecting the items I love and want to share. One of the great things about our shop is that new items are constantly being added, so everyday I fall in love with something new.
Can you tell us a little more about the SS14 collection that’s soon becoming available?
This may sound odd, but I am not really a fashion follower. I know what I like and that is what I offer. I love versatile items that can be worn in many ways. Take for instance our Frilly Denim Shirt and Skirt, this may seem very girly at first glance and it seems appropriate to match it with a pair of ballet shoes, but this would also be rocking with a pair of biker boots and a leather jacket, or go country with a pair of cowboy boots. I love that about the items in our shop, they can be mixed and matched so easily. That being said, I really love the layered looks I am coming across, I am looking forward to seeing some more bright, bold pants with simple funky patterns and some beautiful street style denim jeans.
Do you have children? How does that influence your work?
I have a little devil monkey, she is 3 1/2, and her name is Yerrhum (the Korean word for Summer). She has an incredible influence on how I merchandize our shop. For the past 3 1/2 years I have been buying clothes for her and have made many mistakes purchasing items that looked so cute, but in the end were not practical or poorly designed. Everything I choose for the shop I think about my daughter, she is a very energetic, gregarious girl always on the go, always running, climbing and jumping from something. If I could I would buy everything for her, even the boys items, but my husband wouldn’t not be happy at all, he already thinks she has too much:(
What are the most rewarding and most challenging aspects of your job?
The most rewarding aspect of my job, if I am to be totally honest, is the validation. I really do love the items I pick for our shop and it make me so happy to not only share what we have to offer, but to also find there are like-minded people who too are fed up with the sameness of what the high streets have to offer. Our children are unique and so should be their fashion style. Street fashion rules.
The most challenging aspect of my job is time. There never seems to be enough hours in the day for a working mother and wife. I am constantly tired, coffee is my best friend, but I wouldn’t have it any other way – I am happy and fortunate to be too busy.How would you describe your own personal style?I really truly don’t know how I would describe my personal style. I am British, I tend to mix things together that would not seem to work, but somehow do. I guess I would describe myself as a smart-casual dresser, more casual, nothing fussy or fancy, but I would say easy and cool.
Merci beaucoup Marsha! Click here to go to the webshop to check out all their great designs!
Big Star Long Sleeve Tee, available in three colours.
Bunny Tee and Skirt, available in two colours.
La marque Colour Me WHIMSY est Sud-Coréene, elle combine à la fois un style britannique et une sensibilité Sud-Coréene, un accord bien joué ! Je vous conseille vraiment d’aller découvrir leur site les vêtements sont tous canons, les prix aussi! L’originalité, les coupes, tout est beau!
