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Alfrik and Bumber

1st April 2011

Fleye Eyewear

Colourful, innovative and kid-tested! Fleye Eyewear is a Danish company whose latest collection was inspired by youngsters who gave their ideas on colours, shapes and design. Colour was high on the list of the children’s demands, so the collection includes bold, hip tones of lime, turquoise and lilac. Materials are completely free of nickel and other potentially allergenic substances. The styles above are in acetate and beta-titanium in snazzy lime green and black. You can find Fleye Eyewear for kids at Auerbach & Steele in London www.auerbach-steele.com and at Kidzz Eyezz in Amsterdam. Further info at www.fleye.dk JG

LOFT Santa Monica Show October 16th and 17th

MIDO 6-8 February 2027. Welcome to Eyewearland

Reviews

Eye’DJ JO91

1st April 2011

Eye’DC Junior Collection

The children’s collection Eye’DJ from Marseilles based Eye’DC merges uncluttered design with child-friendly materials. Winners of a Silmo D’Or in 2009, the current collection is modern and free flowing, with sculptured shapes in stainless steel. The colour play of the featured design between the top bar and the rim is a distinctive touch. Shape selections include oval, rectangular and round. These frames are incredibly lightweight, yet designed to cope with playground antics. Eye’DJ can be found at Optique Vie in Roquebrune Cap Martin and more details at www.eye-dc.com JG

Arts + travel

London

1st April 2011

The big city with kids

As this is our kid’s edition, I have been looking into a few places that aren’t as well known as some kids destinations in London but definitely offer lots of fun and interest.

One of these is the V&A’s Museum of Childhood in Bethnal Green (pictured above) which houses an impressive collection of children’s toys, games, clothing, furniture and other exciting artefacts relating to little ones through history. I went to the museum with my four year old to while a way a Sunday morning. First we came across “Doll Face”, an eye-catching exhibition of photographs by portrait and still-life photographer Craig Deane depicting dolls from the extensive collection owned by the museum. (The exhibition ended 27th March but you can see the whole series of images at www.craigdeane.co.uk, they are really incredible images and slightly creepy but my boy was fascinated by them). (more…)

Arts + travel

Children’s stores, London

1st April 2011

Shopping recommendations

London has some great shops for kids, here are my favourite boutiques and shops for clothes, toys and furniture. (Pictured above: Their Nibs).

Caramel Baby & Child This exquisite shop is growing, there are branches in Brompton Road, Pavilion Road (Sloane Square) and Ledbury Road (Notting Hill). The store prides itself on very individual items, and paired down everyday clothing with a touch of luxury. www.caramel-shop.co.uk

Green Baby, Notting Hill My babies may have grown up a bit but they spent their early years in cotton baby grows and pyjamas from this cute environmentally sound store. www.grenbaby.com

Igloo, King’s Road The ‘it’ boutique for kids in the King’s Road. A branch can also be found in Islington. Expect to find brands such as Ikks, Petit Bateau, Mookie, even Hunter Wellies. www.iglookids.co.uk

Jigsaw Junior, 190 Westbourne Grove I have a very fond memory of this store in Notting Hill as this is where I took my bridesmaid Lucia to choose her outfit for my wedding….back in 2002. The shop is as wonderful today, with particular emphasis on fashions for girls, and the all important party dress or frock as my grandmother would have called them. www.jigsawonline.com/collections/1001284/junior

Habitat Home ideas and accessories for kids such as baskets for practical, fun storage to encourage tidying up. Also love the kid’s bedding and wooden toys here. www.habitat.co.uk

Marie Chantal Beautiful upmarket classics for children. Luxurious therefore pricey, but there are lots of lovely accessories and it’s a great place to look for outfits for special occasions. www.mariechantal.com

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Remy Charlip and l.a. eyeworks

1st April 2011

A dance for the eyes

6th April 2011 During a meeting in Milan, l.a. eyeworks (www.laeyeworks.com) introduced me to the books of the American author and illustrator Remy Charlip, of which Arm in Arm is a true classic for children, and most often cited. Remy is now in his eighties, and rather wonderfully he has collaborated with the Los Angeles eyewear designers to produce a design for their lens cloths this year (image above). The commission brief was for a design that would be a “dance for the eyes”. This is one of the first drawings that Remy has created since he suffered a stroke some years ago, making it all the more incredible; it is likely to become a highly sought after accessory.

For anyone who is lucky enough to be close to Parma in Italy in the next weeks, there is an exhibition about Remy’s amazing designs and illustrations entitled “Remy Charlip, danzare il mio libro” which is on until 25th April (Galleria San Ludovico). Some of Remy’s original editions are on display, as well as drawings and the many books that he has written and illustrated. The exhibition is part of the Festival Minimondi. For more information visit www.minimondi.com CN