Charlotte Tarantola’s Fashion Web Attracts Tweens

Tweens change their clothing almost as often as their minds! Their love-hate relationships span from Justin Bieber and The Jonas Brothers to belted dresses and skinny jeans. Spinning up trend-setting fashions capable of grabbing the attention of this fickle bunch — while also snaring parental approval — is a sticky design challenge. Charlotte Tarantola skillfully meets this task and has successfully captured the spirit of young girls with her distinctive fashion collections.

“As girls are going through the tween period, their little-girl body and modesty are paired with their desire to be and dress like a teenager. We try to balance those two ends of the spectrum to create fun and fashionable garments that are still modest and age-appropriate,” says designer Charlotte Tarantola.

Charlotte Tarantola, a graduate of the Fashion Institute of Technology, spent six years designing for other companies before opening her own company with her sister, Christina. Together, they target fashion-forward women, young girls, and even pets! Highlighted in Seventeen and Discovery Girls, Tarantola has made a name for herself in the children’s target market she serves.

With further insights into the coming-of-age tween years, she explains, “They are at a very impressionable age where they are trying to figure out who they are, what they like, and who they want to be. Family and friends, celebrities and magazines — all are major influences to how a tween dresses and acts.”

Tarantola’s designs take the runway-ready look made popular by the media and translate it into wearable and appropriate fashion. You won’t see low-cut tops and tight jeans among her designs. For the back-to-school fall look, Charlotte Tarantola features her take on animal prints, still a trend for all ages. “We are pairing them with faux fur as a hoodie and bold stripes as a print-blocked cardi. We also add Lurex and subtle ruffles for a feminine touch.”

In addition to the print-blocked cardi, Charlotte Tarantola’s fall line includes a vibrant pink notice-me cardigan with ruffled leopard chiffon detailing and small stones. Another favorite is the simple navy cotton hoodie with bold silver stripes appropriately titled “Study Hall.” The “unexpected details,” as she calls them, are what separate Tarantola from other designers targeting the 8 to 12-year-old crowd. She adeptly manages to make these girls look and feel glamorous by turning runway style into school-day attire that parents can feel comfortable purchasing.

For this window-worthy collection, see what clicks at www.charlottetarantola.com