If dressing your children stylishly and clothing made from sustainable materials using ethical labor practices is important to you, then you’re going to love LOVE Kidswear from Germany.
Time for an interview with founder and designer Franziska Bergmiller.
Please Introduce us to your brand.
LOVE kidswear is a collection of stylish casual children’s clothing for boys and girls between the ages of 0 and 14 years. I established the brand in Munich in September 2015, with the aim to create unique, modern clothing made from sustainable materials using ethical labor practices. Upon requests from many customers, we now include a small range of womenswear in our collections.
What Inspired you to start your brand?
After having worked for Vivienne Westwood as a design assistant for a couple of years, becoming a mother inspired me to create clothing that allows kids the freedom to move and parents a selection of well-designed quality clothing for their little ones. The pieces i design are modern as well as timeless. I think of them as favourite pieces that are cared for, handed over and that last long. I find it sad to see that we loose the habit of caring for things, for clothes as well as for other things. By selling clothes at ridiculous low prices brands communicate that the work that was needed to make them is worth nothing and so are the clothes. That is a very wrong and unhelpful attitude to get the world in a better balance and to produce less waste.
What sparked your interest in fashion?
Before studying in Munich, I did an internship with a great stylist in Paris and experienced fashion from it’s most beautiful and glamorous side and I think that was what really got me. The way someone appears can be underlined by the clothes he/she is wearing in a very positive way. To work on that visible side of strengthening someone’s appearance is a beautiful thing to do.
What does your average day look like?
I wake up early with my kids and bring them to school and kindergarden. Then I go to work in my shop where I sell my collections and at the same time use it as my studio where my designs are made and clients and customers are welcomed. It is the perfect way of working for me. In the afternoons I do then pick up my kids and spend time with them.
At what age did you first notice art around you?
I think that was at the age of 8 or 9 years. We used to travel to Italy and France a lot and my parents who are very interested in art, took us to many sights and exhibitions. One of my first memories which is directly connected to art is the garden of Bomarzo in Italy with it’s impressive stone sculptures.
What sort of clothes and or accessories did you enjoy wearing as a child and what did you hate wearing?
Since very early childhood and until now I always was a very big fan of stripes. I just love them up and down, most favourites are in navy and white. My mum used to sew us clothes as well and I always loved those particular and special pieces that were made for us with passion and love. My kids even still wear them and that is what i always wanted to be LOVE kidswear like: favourite pieces that are cared for and ideally kept for the next generation.
I think luckily I was never forced by my parents to wear anything i didn’t like but I was never so much into sports clothes.
What has been your biggest challenge to date?
I guess my biggest challenge is to build up my brand and to settle it in a way that we can make a living from it but at the same time to still have enough time for my family. As I love my job and my family more then anything, it feels like the right thing to do.
What’s in your handbag?
Wallet, smartphone, lipstick.
What’s your unique selling point?
High-end fabrics in a fresh palette of desaturated colors and hand made prints distinguishes LOVE kidswear from other brands, as does the unpretentious attitude of the clothes; playful and carefree, just like the children who wear them. The designs are timeless and classic, childlike but not childish. Many of the styles are stylish on both boys and girls and often on women as well.
What advice would you give your pre-baby self, that you now know?
To believe in yourself and your dreams and to be courageous enough to live them.
Are you superstitious or do you have any rules you live by?
I am not superstitious and do not have particular rules i live by. My aim is to treat people the way i want to be treated and to live in mutual appreciation.
Tell us about the inspiration behind your SS19 collection?
My SS19 collection was inspired by Mexico, it’s colourfulness and the satiric irony of the famous dia de los muertos. On the other hand the cleanness of Scandinavian designs had a strong influence in that collection as well.
What can we expect next from Love Kidswear?
At the moment I am developing SS20 and I do feel inspired by African prints, Tunics, accented shoulders. Colours that I am into at the moment is citrusyellow, mint, red, raspberry and blackberry
The womenswear is getting a very good response and i will increase the styles of the womenswear collection.
In July I will also open my own long term store in Munich and am very happy and excited about that,.
How is your work received internationally?
LOVE kidswear’s designs are very well received in France, Italy, Switzerland, USA, Asia and the UK. The main market is still Germany though.
If one of our readers is in your city, which is, for 24 hours. What things would you recommend they do?
I’d recommend to take a bike and have a ride through the English Garden, see the Haus der Kunst and the Eisbach Welle with it’s surfers, take a look at the Pinakothek der Moderne, ride further down the Isar and have a stroll across the Viktualienmarkt to then cross the Glockenbachviertel and go for some nice asian food at Drunken Dragon or Usagi. Then they should definitely not miss to come go to the beautiful and historical french quarter Haidhausen, where LOVE kidswear’s own store will be from July on as well.
Website: love-kidswear.com
Love Kidswear also has a cool range of Kids Tableware. Worldwide shipping is available.
