What came into the office today?

With the typical miserable British weather we're having this week, it’s hard not to look towards next season’s collections in a bid to brave the cold, especially as our fashion department is already eyeing up its favourite looks from some of its most desired labels’ Autumn/Winter 2010 collections. This collection preview has arrived with a red-and-blue checked shirt from Imps & Elfs, and a blue checked shirt and white faux-fur coat from Kidscase. Both labels have focused on gingham print, along with chic, simple cuts to allow plenty of layering during the cold months.

What I found today

http://www.smallable.com/

The Hambledon launch dedicated childrenswear pop-up shop

Winchester's favorite designer boutique The Hambledon, has launched a dedicated children’s pop-up shop. Stocking some of Junior’s favorite new brands including Ola and Olek and Louie Louis alongside more established labels Katvig and Dandy Star, the store opens just in time for the Easter holidays and will pop down at the end of April.

To check out the The Hambledon new Pop-up shop visit the Hambledon, 10 The Square, Winchester, Hampshire, SO23 9ES, tel: 01962 890 055 Opens Mon – Sat 9:30 – 17:30, Sun 11 – 16:00.

What I found today

www.lespetitsbohemes.com

Angulus Autumn/Winter 2010/11 preview

Recently, we headed out west to visit the lovely Inger from Angulus Shoes, to view the Autumn/Winter 2010/11 collection.

Angulus Shoes always tend to stick to their own distinctive shapes and styles, with some carrying over from season to season.

A chic chestnut brown was introduced, splashed over back-to-school style shoes, lace-up boots and sandals, which would perfectly match Chloe’s sixties inspired winter collection. Rich berry colours, as seen from the catwalks at Pitti Bimbo and Fimi Valencia permeated the collection, holly berry and deep current tones. Metallics decorated the ranges for older children, adding a quirky contrast on Angulus’s workman boots.

Four Marketing press day

For Lunch today we trotted along to Juniors neighbour Four Marketing, who house the collections for all the Juniors: John Galliano, Stone Island, CP and True Religion. Renowned for their gourmet lunches, we tucked into goats cheese and caramelized onion tart while browsing the new collections. True Religion stuck to their renowned style of thick top stitching on pockets and jean seams, introducing a few casual sporty zip-ups and hoodies. Stone Island and CP Junior introduced mini versions of their men’s line. Typical mod-style parkers sat next to gingham shirts and casual stone washed jeans all looked very much the boy about the suburbs. Galliano’s famous newspaper and garish flower prints punctuated with graffiti and John's name, appeared on most garments. Surprisingly for a winter collection, he used an extremely bright colour range of shocking pinks, royal purples and juicy oranges. Afterwards, we were treated to a lovely goody bag (above) and just our luck, as the spring showers greeted our departure, our goody bag had the perfect prize: a Missoni umbrella!

Cool website

www.etsy.com/shop/WoodlandBelle

New Pop-up café at Harrods

This weekend sees the launch of Harrods new Wonderland pop-up café. Steps away from Harrods toy department and decorated with an Alice In Wonderland theme, the cafe offers a multitude of Easter treats, including the Easter egg factory where shoppers can choose their own personal message on eggs. Lola’s pastry chef will also be on hand to create beautiful cupcakes in your own personal style or visit the Godvia fruit-dipping station or the candy stall offering Jelly beans in every imaginable flavour!

Wonderland Café will pop-up at Harrods, 87 -135 Brompton Road, Knightsbridge, SW1X 7XL from March 26 April 11. Opening times 10 AM – 8PM. From more Alice In Wonderland inspired fashion, look out for the May issue of Junior Magazine, on sale April 9.

What I found today

www.misakomimoko.com

Happy first birthday Junior Blogspot!

Birthday cupcakes from the lovely Violet Cakes www.violetcakes.com

What came into the office today?

Spring might be in the air but at Junior we are already thinking ahead to next winter, as our fashion department starts to select our favorite looks from all our favorite labels Autumn/Winter 2010 collections. The first collection that has come into the office is La Stupenderia. For those who are not familiar with the label, Junior predicts that it is going to be huge in the UK. The collection focuses on simple minimal cuts fashioned in really beautiful fabrics. Here is a sneak preview and don’t forget to check out our August issue which will be on sale in July for autumn’s first offerings!

Carolina Herrera launch childrenswear and debut London store

Carolina Herrera, the label famous for clothing Park Avenue princesses, has landed in the UK! Junior has been really excited, as this is the brand’s UK launch of their much anticipated childrenswear line. The shop set in Mount Street in Mayfair is a beautiful backdrop to view the Venezuelan born designer's new offerings. Girlswear is influenced by the womenswear, cute soft tailored jersey jackets, decorated with white trims sit over loose-fitting trousers, Liberty-style floral prints decorate puff-sleeved blouses, pleated vests and summer dresses. Boyswear is the American Ivy League jock at Harvard or Yale, nautical stripes sit on tees and jumpers, fifties style slacks are matched with wool tailored jackets and crisp cotton shirts.

The new Carolina Herrera store is at 120 Mount Street W1. Open Monday – Saturday 9.30 -19:00 or visit http://www.carolinaherrera.com/

Stella McCartney and Gap party at Porchester Hall

WE FELT LIKE the lucky recipients of the Golden Ticket: an invitation from Stella McCartney and Gap to the launch of the new collection to be held at the prestigious Porchester Hall in London, W2. We were greeted by a colourful collection of giant cut-out flamingos, rainbow parrots and action heroes before entering the main hall with jugglers and entertainers, cakes stalls and coconut shy, and a live animal show featuring giant fluffy rabbits, a skunk and a hands-on bug display. In fitting with Stella’s musical heritage, the most popular attraction was the rock-star stage which was set up with mini drum kit, electric guitar and keyboards, which saw a succession of eager wannabes strut their stuff, including our Joe, four, who clearly sees himself as a wacky sticks-man in the making.

The room was filled with west London’s most yummy mummies, with trendy offspring in tow, many wearing recognizable outfits from the winter collection including the popular military jacket. Stella’s friend Kate Moss also dropped by to show her support and Laura Bailey was spotted. We chatted briefly to Stella to thank her for a lovely party, though Joe was in rather a hurry to see if he had a winning ticket for the tombola. “He’s gonna win!” Stella promised him, as he rushed off. She was right, and he came home clutching an inflatable parrot.
And what a lovely gal Stella is! We were pleased to hear her thanking all the catering staff on what a great job they did.
And we can’t wait to get our hands on the new collection – in selected stores from March 29.
For details, visit www.gap.eu www.gap.eu or tel: 0800 011 1427

Cool website

some easter fun www.mibo.co.uk

River Island launch childrenswear

Yesterday afternoon River Island the high street giant entered into the childrenswear market with their debut collection. The brand invited a selection of key journalists and presented their debut line with a catwalk presentation.

Taking inspiration from River Island’s women and menswear collections, the clothes are aimed at both boys and girls aged 3-10 years. Girlswear consisted of patchwork dresses, floral frills matched with rock-chic studded waistcoats and workman boots. Boyswear gave a nod to the 1950’s, with models sporting baseball jackets, boating shoes followed by a grungier mood; distressed denims and rock tees: the highlight was a striking drummer boy jacket. The range will be available in seven selected River Island stores from 12th April and online from the April 6th.

Cool costumes

www.simoneagency.com.au/wanabe-costumes-shop

What I found today

http://www.nonchalantmom.com/

Little Miss Junior visits the new pop-up Merci store at Liberty

Today Little Miss Junior decided to wear black, knowing that she was going to be surrounded by an abundance of floral Liberty prints. “I just can’t bear it when editors dress in accordance to the occasion, so déclassé”. Jumping out of her chauffeured Mercedes on Regent Street, Little Miss J headed straight through the hordes of shoppers to meet her personal shopper. “Franny can you show me around? I want exclusives”. Merci, is one of Little Miss J’s favorite destinations in Paris, opened last year by the founder of Bonpoint, Marie France Cohen. After ordering the cute Liberty print summer playsuit, the hair bows, the gorgeous ruffled waistcoat and the overly-fabulous mini-suitcase, Little Miss J rushes back to her car, dragging Franny with her “ Franny we really need to go and sort out my summer order at Bonpoint, spring is almost over”.

Merci at Liberty opens on 8^th March and continues until 1^st April

Cool website

http://www.commeducoton.fr

What I found today

www.atsuyoetakiko.com

Flora + Henri introduce toys

http://www.florahenri.com/

Cool website

http://www.orfeodesign.com/

Christian Lacroix launches childrenswear?

Christian Lacroix, the label famed for dressing Eddie in Ab Fab, has been in the news of late due to the company filing for bankruptcy, but the brand has signed a new licensing deal for its accessories, home decoration and stationery. Lacroix CEO Nicolas Topiol yesterday announced in an interview with WWD that the brand was looking for licensing partners for a childrenswear line. The leading licensing companies in childrenswear are CWF who produce collections for Burberry, Chloe, DKNY or Groupe Zannier who design Paul Smith, Gaultier Junior and Little Marc Jacobs, or perhaps the French house will seek the help of the Italians: Simonetta already create a smashing line for Roberto Cavalli while Miss Grant, has recently been appointed to design Ballantyne mini. Whoever the choice, of course, you will read it first in Junior!

Happy 40th birthday to the house of Roberto Cavalli

What I found today

http://lillibulle.typepad.com/boutique/victor_et_victorine/