If you follow Happy Ella After, then you know that I’m passionate about supporting local. Local businesses, local jobs, local ideas, local talent. There are so many amazing people , many of them Mums and Dads who have found their passions and talents and are taking a punt by sharing them with the world. The least we can do is support them. And so, Happy Ella After is starting a new venture – ‘Ella Loves Local’. This series will focus on just that. Supporting and showcasing local talent. Established and inspiring businesses and those just starting out. It’s my way of paying it forward, and giving a big old shout out to those people who are working their little buts off so that we may enjoy the fruits of their labour.
This week, I’m starting with ‘The Little Runway – Kids Fashion Week’.The Little Runway by Kids Fashion Week Limited, creates a platform where emerging and established local designers, industry creatives, fashion bloggers, retailers,buyers and fashion savvy parents can come together to celebrate the Australian children’s fashion and retail industries. This is an opportunity for brands to show their latest collections, to create brand awareness and to elevate the Australian Kids fashion scene into the spotlight.
The Little Runway has been designed to celebrate all things Kids Fashion with a strong emphasis on Australian designers and supporting local business. It is the first live fashion event focused exclusively on the children’s market in Australia, and is a celebration of kids fashion.
I spent some time interviewing Danielle Larche, to get a glimpse into the ideas, hard work and passion that will celebrate local designers of childrens’ wear on September 10 this year….1. What inspired you launch ‘The Little Runway – Kids Fashion Week’?
There are so many great kids labels in Australia – the designers in Australia have such strong collections here and are quite often given more recognition overseas than they are here. Kids Fashion Week’s have been running in New York and Europe and they receive a great response, and it is such a great event. Australia definitely needs a Kids Fashion Week of its own, to create a platform for children’s designers and creatives and to show the country – and the world the great collections we produce.
There are so many great kids labels in Australia – the designers in Australia have such strong collections here and are quite often given more recognition overseas than they are here. Kids Fashion Week’s have been running in New York and Europe and they receive a great response, and it is such a great event. Australia definitely needs a Kids Fashion Week of its own, to create a platform for children’s designers and creatives and to show the country – and the world the great collections we produce.
2. How are you all juggling family and planning such a mammoth event??
Thank goodness the event has AMAZING partners who share the workload! (they are so great they get capitals!) The Little Runway is partnered with the super talented Aver & Line photography – if you haven’t seen their work, look them up atwww.averandline.com.au! ,Along with Material Girl Pr, Ikonic Agency, Kerr Events and Bonnie Kay styling, who are all amazing and have done so much to bring their expertise to the event to make it a one of a kind.
We are all lucky to have amazing supportive families! I have a 7 year old and a 2.5 year old and they are quite often ‘helping’!
Thank goodness the event has AMAZING partners who share the workload! (they are so great they get capitals!) The Little Runway is partnered with the super talented Aver & Line photography – if you haven’t seen their work, look them up atwww.averandline.com.au! ,Along with Material Girl Pr, Ikonic Agency, Kerr Events and Bonnie Kay styling, who are all amazing and have done so much to bring their expertise to the event to make it a one of a kind.
We are all lucky to have amazing supportive families! I have a 7 year old and a 2.5 year old and they are quite often ‘helping’!
3. What has been your proudest moment so far?
I have just come back from Thailand with children’s charity Project Dovetail where we were working with some children and families who live in the slums and have little or no way to earn an income, which often means the children work to help the family live. We visited the families on Thai mothers day and gave them a washing machine and supplies so that they could start their own little business providing washing service for the tourists which will help them to provide for their family, so that the children do not need to work and they can concentrate on their education. The families were gifted a big tub of essentials and some educational equipment to help with the children’s schooling. The look on the families faces was priceless, and it is hard to believe that such a small gift can change the lives of a child and their entire family – really puts everything into perspective.I am really proud that through The Little Runway – Kids Fashion Week, that proceeds from ticked sales is being donated to Project Dovetail, and the support from brands with this is just amazing. Looking forward to being able to put more smiles on kiddies faces!
4. What has been / will be your biggest challenge?
The hardest thing when launching an event or a project like this is the initial launching stage. I have been watching similar events overseas for years and have watched their success and the wonderful things they do for people in the children’s creative industries and I know that it would be great here in Australia, but even still taking the initial step to go through all of the setting up process always makes you second guess yourself!
The hardest thing when launching an event or a project like this is the initial launching stage. I have been watching similar events overseas for years and have watched their success and the wonderful things they do for people in the children’s creative industries and I know that it would be great here in Australia, but even still taking the initial step to go through all of the setting up process always makes you second guess yourself!
5. Three words that describe ”The Little Runway – Kids Fashion Week’?
one of-a kind!
6. What can we expect to see?
Nothing like you have ever seen before!
Nothing like you have ever seen before!
7. Pay it forward…who is on your ‘watch’ list?
My watch list is huge! There are so many amazing designers, creatives and creators around! I know you love to focus on local Melbourne so I will keep my list to Melbourne! (in no particular order!)
A Little Pocket – a young Melbourne designer who designs and makes her range in Melbourne
Chalk and Cheese – they have the most beautiful jackets – also designed and made in Melbourne
Kapow Kids – those prints – need I say more?! (Melbourne designed and made)
Tik Tok Junior – very cool clothes for kiddies (Melbourne designed and made)
Sunday the label (Melbourne designed and made)
Candles by Nikoletta – (Melbourne designed and made) – ok so these are not kids clothes, but they are amazing soy candles that smell amazing! I love candles!There are so many great brands that are designed and made locally. It is great to visit markets to uncover all of these gems! I admire everyone who has a passion and works hard to make the dream a reality.
My watch list is huge! There are so many amazing designers, creatives and creators around! I know you love to focus on local Melbourne so I will keep my list to Melbourne! (in no particular order!)
A Little Pocket – a young Melbourne designer who designs and makes her range in Melbourne
Chalk and Cheese – they have the most beautiful jackets – also designed and made in Melbourne
Kapow Kids – those prints – need I say more?! (Melbourne designed and made)
Tik Tok Junior – very cool clothes for kiddies (Melbourne designed and made)
Sunday the label (Melbourne designed and made)
Candles by Nikoletta – (Melbourne designed and made) – ok so these are not kids clothes, but they are amazing soy candles that smell amazing! I love candles!There are so many great brands that are designed and made locally. It is great to visit markets to uncover all of these gems! I admire everyone who has a passion and works hard to make the dream a reality.
And with that, the Little Runway was born. It all takes place on September 10 in Melbourne. I’m thrilled to be attending, and even more thrilled to be able to give two tickets away so that someone and their chosen friend can enjoy a fabulous night out. To enter, you need to head over to Instagram and follow @happyellaafter.Thanks to Danielle for giving us an insight into Kids’ Fashion Week. We hope that it is a raving success! For more information and to purchase tickets, visit the link here.
Stay tuned for another Ella Loves Local feature next week – the gorgeous girls from Talo Interiors.
*Images courtesy of ‘The Little Runway Kids Fashion Week’
