Items tagged “Eco-friendly”

Most of the time, clothing designers are inspired by the work of other designers, or sometimes by the shapes, colors and textures they encounter in the world around them. In some cases, however, clothing designers have a more story-driven vision behind their clothing, one that imbues each collection with its own individual “personality” chosen from a cast of original characters. This is the case with Gardner and the Gang, a children’s clothing company based in Singapore. From punk rock bulldogs to DJ camels and beyond, these funky friends have their own rich pasts, hopes, dreams and hobbies.

Shoppers looking to help develop kids’ creativity will relish ecologically sound, techy coloring books from Painting Lulu. The system bridges the gap between traditional coloring books — always a kid fave — and contemporary technology. The technology is simple: kids color in the book and then, with a little adult assistance, scan the QR code on the page using a free app on a smart device — it doesn’t even require a download. Presto, the coloring page appears on the device and kids can continue coloring where they left off using the special Painting Lulu Digital Crayon that has a host of unique coloring tools and features.

Fashion is just one of the many ways girls show their sass and independence, often picking out their own clothing at a young age. Even if these early ensembles are far from Vogue-ready, they’re a sign that the child is starting to develop her own sense of self and autonomy. Molly Glitz, Zaza Couture, Nina & Nelli, and Celegrity Kids all offer looks that lean slightly toward the bold and avant garde, while still staying solidly in the confines of comfortable, easygoing children’s wear.

What’s better than a jigsaw puzzle with the design on one side? When the other side reveals a second part of the fun. That’s the idea behind Flipzles, award-winning puzzles made of thick, durable wood with vibrant images on all three layers, each a unique piece of art created by Vicki Lewis. Flipzles help kids discover spatial relationships and build hand-eye coordination, yet are compact, easy to store and a snap to take anywhere.

Popupshop is a clothing company dedicated to producing high-quality garments and using ethical manufacturing practices. Running a business with standards this high isn’t easy; it’s a process that includes attention to detail right from the start. Popupshop’s clothing begins in nature, with organic, pesticide-free cotton and bamboo. Both these fabrics are known for being gentle on the skin as well as environmentally sustainable and easy to care for. Once these materials are turned into textile, they are brought to Popupshop’s certified factory in Turkey, where they are cut and dyed by knowledgeable workers. The result is a line of clothing that looks and feels great.