Scandinavian Minimall

Here is a sneak peak from our photoshoot this week when 6 children 4 years old and below gathered at the Scandinavian Minimall offices to try out some funky outfits from the new collections from Mini Rodini, Petit By Sofie Schnoor and Gro Company amongst others. Sisters Estelle (left) is wearing Mini Rodini's Jaguar Tee, Gro Company's Ballet Skirt & Petit By Sofie Schnoor Ballerinas, and Chloe (right) is wearing top to toe Petit By Sofie Schnoor.

Owner Gabrielle and intern Alice photographed.

We love sneak peaks! Especially when they are this promising....Bang Bang Copenhagen is an amazingly cool label which is quirky, different (in a good way) but also very, very stylish. It's one of our favourite labels. As simple as that. I've said it before and I am saying it again, bring on Spring/Summer 13 (but I do love Christmas, so not quite yet ;-))

Small children really amaze me - how clever they are, how much they know, and most of the time, how kind they are (allright, a temper tantrum might not be 'unkind' but you know what I mean, right?). We had a photoshoot at Scandinavian Minimall this week and I was taken aback with how 2 small girls, Livia and Estelle, both 3.5 years old, knew exactly how to pose in front of a camera. I mean, how? Can't wait to show you the pictures next week when I've had the time to go through them and pick out the cream of the crop - think we got some really good ones. Not so much courtesy of me (the photographer) I think, but to two very clever little budding models.

Here is a bit of a blurry sneak peak....:)

Have you seen the amazing Sleepy Cat Dress from quirky label Bang Bang Copenhagen on the latest cover of Junior Magazine in the UK? It's uniqueness and its many wonderfully quirky details have made it one of the fastest sellers of all time at Scandinavian Minimall, within 5 days it was sold out in all sizes. The dress is in a lightweight black denim fabric, and the cat collar has long eyelashes and neon pink whiskers. We're lucky enough to have gotten hold of a few more which is now in the process of being sent to us, good news, eh? You can now pre-order this dress as of today and we'll send out w/c 8th October 2012. Alternatively send us an email at customercare@scandinavianminimall.co.uk, if you wish to have more information.

One of the coolest brands on the block which originate from Sweden are The Brand. Founded by husband and wife Jonathan and Johanna Brandstrom, they make clothes that resemble their own style of dressing, but with an added playfulness so that kids really like them too. 

It's the 4th season we sell their flounce dress, and it's always a bestseller. This year they've designed them in leopard print, a stripy version and in a gorgeous purple. In fact, we like the whole collection....see more at TheBrand

Another week, another Wishlist From Scandinavian Minimall which you'll get 30% off of for one week only, and this time it comes from one of Scandinavian Minimall's lovely customers - Mika from Japan. Mika loves Scandinavian kids fashion and her 4-year old son Yotsuha (which means 4 leaf clover in Japanese) is always dressed very stylishly, in the latest fashion from brands like MINI RODINi, Bang Bang Copenhagen, Soft Gallery and Zum Zum Rata Dum Dum. Here he is below, showing off what his mother has bought for him.

Mika has chosen a selection of items for both boys and girls for her wishlist, and starting today 30th May until Wednesday 6th June 2012 you get 30% off her selection. And if you are a Facebook follower of Scandinavian Minimall's page  you also get the opportunity to win £100 to shop for at Scandinavian Minimall, with two runner up prizes of £50 if you like and share the Wishlist Of The Week post by June 6th 2012. Everyone who like and share these 'Wishlist of the week' posts will be automatically entered into the price draw and winners will be chosen at random by June 20th 2012. 

Mikas wishlist:

'Here are my favourites from Scandinavian Minimall. 1) I love stripes and the fact that the mehari truck looks hand drawn. BOBO CHOSES Mehari Long Sleeve Tee . 2) This MINI Rodini Jacket is another favourite, I think it's such a cool jacket.  3, 4 and 6) Bang Bang Copenhagen is a favourite brand of mine so I've chosen three pieces that I really like from the boys selection. I love triangle shapes and this Bang Bang Copenhagen Parade Sweater was designed to look like Japanese Origami. The Lucky Sweatpants are so cool and will fit my little boy really well. And the Jolly Sweatshirt is great for both formal as well as casual occasions 5) I love this Sammy Eggit skirt from LIVLY, but won't be buying it as unfortunately I don't have a girl....and the same goes with this gorgeous LIBBY dress from Livly 8). 7) I love this pirate print tee from MINI RODINI, such a fun print and I've bought this for my son and he really likes it too! Finally I think the Owl Mariko Jacket from Soft Gallery (not pictured) is a great jacket and fits both boys and girls.

Exclusive to our Scandinavian Minimall Facebook Page Followers and our blog readers, let us reintroduce our competition 'Scandinavian Minimall's Outfit Of The Week', which starts tomorrow. And this time, we're doing it slightly differently:

Firstly, we have renamed it slightly to 'Scandinavian Minimall's Wishlist' as we've asked 4 different kids fashion bloggers and customers from all over the world to take part and select their wishlists at Scandinavian Minimall, all of which you can get 30% off of for one week only. And perhaps even better, when you become a fan of our Facebook page and like and share the 'Wishlist of the week' post, you automatically participate in the chance of winning £100 to shop with at Scandinavian Minimall, as well as two runner up prices of £50 to spend as you like on the Scandinavian Minimall website. The lucky winners will be announced on June 20th 2012.

The competition launches tomorrow, Wednesday 23 May 2012, so keep a look out for some great savings and don't forget to like and share that 'Scandinavian Minimall Wishlist Of The Week' post....

Big Congratulations to Crown Princess Victoria and Prince Daniel of Sweden, who became first time parents to a baby girl, Sweden's newest little princess, this morning, February 23rd, 2012. The name has yet to be announced, let us know if you have a guess!

To celebrate the occasion, you will get 15% off all new items at Scandinavian Minimall, today 23 February 2012 only, just enter the code princess at checkout. Scandinavian Minimall have also gathered a selection of cute, pink baby items from Sweden and the rest of Scandinavia below - Scandinavian Baby clothing fit for anyone's little princess!

This week we caught up with Marion, the designer and founder of new Scandinavian kids fashion label PALE CLOUD, which has received a lot of positive press for their luxurious baby and girls fashion collection in soft, muted pastels and high quality materials. Here Norwegian born & raised Marion tells us what she thinks about kids fashion, her own daughter Freyas' style as well as some exciting news regarding Pale Cloud's future....

1) What is Scandinavian kids fashion to you? Seeing that you're a kids fashion designer we're sure kids fashion is a very big part of your life - but if you were to describe kids fashion, and especially Scandinavian kids fashion, how would you describe it?

I feel Scandinavian kids fashion are divided in two. On one side you have the “Lego” coloured loud prints and stripes in more basic qualities. On the other you will find brands with a more delicate toned down colour palette using more minimalistic cuts. In this category you will find a wider range of qualities and more tonal subtle prints.

2) When you had Freya, what was your style inspiration in terms of dressing her?  

In Freya’s first months she lived in classic playsuits. She was born in the fall so I used a lot of knitted cashmere/angora blends as they where soft and kept her warm. When she grew a bit I loved dressing her up in distressed denims with delicate tops. The outfit that she was often seen in was her distressed  Dior denim pants, Chloe bow blouse in a dusty pink colour and Dior baby shoes. Before she could walk she was always dressed in pants or shorts as I feel dresses does not come to its full right when the baby just lays or crawls around. I like mixing delicate femininity with the more raw to create a more edgy look.

3) How did Pale Cloud come about then?

During my maternity leave my husband and I decided to start our own children's wear line with focus on design and quality. Being a women's wear designer I saw the opportunity and place in the market for children's daily couture shopping for my own daughter. The frustration of not finding what I had in my mind needed to be confronted.

4) Does Freya have her own sense of style? If so, what is it? What does she like, and what doesn't she like?  

Unfortunately yes. We very often find her dressing in her favourite pieces: Viviane Westwood Melissa Shoes, Stella McCartney PJ’s with a Cashmere Hat on a summer day. Other combinations can be a tutu skirt, pink Hunter wellies finished off with a red Polarn O’Pyret hat. Her favourites pieces rarely or never compliment each other in creating a sophisticated look, maybe instead it can be called cutting edge....?

5) What kids (clothes) brands do you particularly like - both Scandinavian and non Scandinavian? Why is that?

It is difficult to isolate just a few brands; it is all depending on the collection, and may vary from season to season. However I am always able to pick a few favourites from Chloe, Anne Valerie Hash, COS Children and Isabel Marant’s Collections. You can always rely on H&M and Zara for good basics at low prices.

6) Any other news that you would like to share with us?

Pale Cloud is at a very exciting stage in it's development, with great news arriving almost everyday. Today, the Inez Raincoat arrived in our warehouse, so it will be hitting stores very soon. Another recent but fantastic piece of news for us was our Spring Summer 2012 Collection being stocked in Barneys New York. Looking forwards to Autumn Winter 2012; I know that seems a long way off but I am now designing SS13!!!, AW12 will see some exciting new lines in the collection which we can't quite share with you yet but we think you will love them.

Thank you Marion and Pale Cloud! We are very happy to have you onboard at Scandinavian Minimall.

Make sure you check out the gorgeous Pale Cloud Collection, and especially the new in Pale Cloud INEZ Rain coat. 

Esencia is a Danish brand, which is already a favourite amongst many Scandinavian kids fashion enthusiasts, and as of next week, we will have a small - but very pretty - collection at Scandinavian Minimall. Yay!

The label was founded by two mothers, a Bolivian and a Japanese, living in Denmark, at the beginning of 2006. When they started Esencia, the goal  was to produce high quality natural products with simple designs, making use of the craftsmanship of indigenous women/artisans from the Andes region, and that objective still very much remains. Focusing on the purity of children, Esencia’s products are made from the finest natural alpaca and llama fibres and organic cotton, cooperating only with suppliers who value the principles of fair trade and sustainability. What make us adore Esencia even more, is that the company is a socially responsible organization, only working together with suppliers who adopt these Fair Trade principles.

This brand is most definetily for socially aware parents who like simple, modern, high quality clothes - like most labels we sell at Scandinavian Minimall. Below are some gorgeous items from the Autumn/Winter 11 Esencia collection. Enjoy!

Our series about Mums & Scandinavian kids fashion continues. This week we've got another favourite blogger of ours, Little Scandinavian, to talk about one of her favourite topics : Scandinavian kids fashion, and what inspires her to dress her daughters the way they do.

Name: Bianca Wessel

Bio: Lives with husband and two children, Little B age 10 and Little A age 6 in London UK. Professional blogger, loves home made bread and spending time outdoors with my girls.

Blog: http://www.littlescandinavian.com

My passion for kids fashion was born in 2001, when I became a mum. I've since then tested and experienced a variety of styles and qualities along the years and based on that I've developed my own sense of what works for us. Of course what to wear needs to be a compromise between the child and the parents though. Obviously the baby is happy as long as she's comfortable. But already as early as the age of 2 the discussions starts in the morning! "Why can't I be wearing my pink sandals out in the snow?"

One interesting experience is how much I find children's fashion to have developed over the last 10 years. The focus on creating clothes with children in mind is greater than ever. Playful and fun, cool and funky, shabby chic with layers or just sleek and minimalistic -the children can choose apparel that reflects their personality and mood. And the clothes nowadays are comfortable and allows the child to move freely and the quality have improved so that the clothes not only can last wear and tear but also be handed down both one and two times. Which brings me into another subject that lies close to my heart; Sustainability! The focus on eco friendly fabrics and production is so great it's even prompting the high street stores to include organic lines in their collection.

Another change, or should I say development, of the children's fashion industry is the internet. Children's Boutiques can't afford not having an online presence any longer as more and more customers do prefer to do their purchases in the comfort of their own home and at a time during the day (or night!) that suits them. The internet has also made it possible for budding entrepreneurs to set up sole online stores, offering clothes from world wide to a constant growing amount of discerning online consumers. Personal and excellent customer service including a good return policy is as important as the selection of brands and the virtual user experience of the online store.

My interest in all of this has resulted in my blog becoming my full time job. The growth of Social Media with Blogs, Twitter and Facebook has taken the value of "worth of mouth" to a whole new level. And personally I think we've only seen the beginning of it!

My favourite brands vary from collection to collection. For Autumn Winter 11 I do have a special fondness for Sprout by GRO, Pale Cloud, Waddler and Esencia. If I could only buy one item this season it would have to be the glam and retro down jacket by Finger in the Nose

This weekend, it's the Scandinavia Show in London, at the Earl's Court Exhibition Centre. If you live locally and you're interested in Scandinavian Design & Interiors, Scandinavian Food, Scandinavian Fashion, well pretty much anything that's Scandinavian, then you should definetily try and go to this event. It's going to be packed with great Scandinavian brands like Hästens beds, Bang Olufson, Ferm Living, Scandi Chic, Fjällräven, My Cinnamon Girl - a Norwegian Girls Clothes label & A.K.A. Relocations - a relocation Service for Scandinavian companies and individuals who wishes to move to London - amongst many others. There will also be some great food delights by the Scandinavian Kitchen & Madsen Restaurants. Scandinavian Minimall won't be exhibiting, but we will most certainly pay the show a visit during the weekend at some point, to visit all the exciting exhibitors and hopefully have time to eat some great food too.

And here is some advice: If you pay online now, tickets are half price (£8 per person, instead of £16 at the entrance). For more details about the show, as well as tickets, please see the website: http://www.scandinaviashow.co.uk/

Scandinavian Minimall has been invited to showcase our baby collection (up to 2 years of age) at the Local Baby & Mother Show in Parsons Green, Fulham (SW6) in South West London this coming Sunday. We'll be displaying Scandinavian kids brands like MINI RODINI, ELODIE DETAILS, PALE CLOUD, NORLIE & POPPY ROSE which will cover everything from cute baby-grows & cool t-shirts to wrap-up-warm winter overalls and jackets. The event is free of charge, so if you happen to live locally or be in the neighbourhood - why don't you pop by and say hello? There will also be different retailers on site selling lots of lovely baby goods, and promotions only available to those attending the event, as well as a raffle. All the more reason to go!

What? The Local Baby & Mother Show

When? Sunday 9th of October, Time: 13:30 - 16:30

Where? Forever Living, Alexander House, 14-16 Peterborough Rd, London, SW6 3BN

Meet Helena, the girl behind one of my favourite kids fashion blogs http://www.thejunior.no/,and proud mum to Lykke, a stylish little girl who gets to dress in some fantastic pieces thanks to her parents. As we are doing a series over the course of the next few weeks about Scandinavian kids fashion and how mums think and feel around dressing their little ones, I asked Helena to take part and she kindly accepted.  Here is her view on Lykke's clothes, and how she thinks about kids fashion in general. Read on and be inspired by the beautiful pictures!  

I have always been very interested in fashion, but Kids fashion, who knew I would be so in to that?. But kid´s fashion is a whole different story, it´s almost a NO-NO wanting to dress your kid in nice clothes. I could´t disagree more, why should´t our little ones get to dress up and show their personalities. The good thing is that I feel that this is about to change, with all the great people behind kid´s magazines, blogs and webshops popping up, guiding us through a jungle of fashion.

 I´m a graphic designer and I think that has effected me very much, it´s a lifestyle (good and bad). I´m really in to details when I pick out clothes for Lykke and I like clean, simple tailoring. Nothing too colorful or too many prints or slogans. My favorite Scandinavian brands must be Swedish TUSS paired with Norwegian Pale Cloud, the simplicity of TUSS with the femininity and softness of Pale Cloud, perfect! Of course I have different favorites for winter and summer and for winter I love Danish Esencia with it´s warm alpaca wool, a must-have for the long Norwegian winters.

 Scandinavian kid´s fashion I think can be divided in to two groups, you have the classic clean, simple  style and the brands who do a lot of prints and strong colors. It´s good to mix, I´ll go for the first group as a base and team it with something fun from Minirodini, who do excellent prints!.

 I like to think that Lykke will develop a great sense of style, with her own personal twist. My biggest hope is that when or if she goes through "the-pink-phase" it will be pale dusty pink and not 100% candy she´ll go for…. a mom is allowed to hope, right?.

Another day, another new delivery, that's how it feels like at the moment. Not that I am complaining, I get to look at and feel the fantastic quality of some pretty nice kids stuff. Now it's Danish Kids fashion label POPPY ROSE's turn to be showcased on this website. They arrived yesterday and now they're all online - ready to buy, or at least being drooled over. POPPY ROSE is a fantastic Danish brand which was started by Minna Speerschneider Larsen, and the designs are from newborns up to 12 years. The motivation behind starting this label was a vision of combining simplicity and quality in stylish kidswear, and quality in particular being an area of focus. And that we can guarantee, the softness of the merino wool sweaters..ahh. And the liberty print pattern fabrics, another ohh! If I was a baby I would want to wear POPPY ROSE every day of the year!

Check the full collection here: http://www.scandinavianminimall.co.uk/Poppy-Rose

I've always been fascinated about what makes other people tick, so much so that I spent 5 years working with Consumer Insight before I decided to start this website. In fact, one of the best things about having your own online shop is that you can help other people discover some great brands they had otherwise never heard of. Most of the time you find brands that other people love too, though sometimes you don't get the reaction you'd hoped for - and understanding why this does, or doesn't happen, is another piece of the puzzle that I find really intriguing. It's also this understanding that I hope will help make this website better and better for each season that passes by.

Because I like to find out about other people's  thoughts and behaviours, I find it fascinating to read about other mums and how they think when it coms to dressing their children. As such, I've asked some fellow Scandinavians about their style choices when it comes to kids fashion, and what Scandinavian kids fashion, specifically, stands for according to them. As of this week, and a few weeks onwards, this blog will feature different Scandinavin mums, and their style choices when it comes to their little Scandinavians. I hope you will find this inspiring too - and perhaps you would even like to feature?  E-mail me at info@scandinavianminimall.co.uk if that's the case, or if you have any other suggestions in relation to this.

It might be a little early to tell you about news for Spring/Summer 12 already, we've barely started the Autumn/Winter 11 season...anyhow, we came across this Swedish jeans brand for kids on the Little Scandinavian blog and then saw it live in Copenhagen during the kids fashion fair week in August this year. I Dig Denim is such wearable and cool kids denim, and with a collection in different washes, shapes and sizes, there is sure to be a I Dig Denim favourite for everyone! Created by Swedish designer Hanna Clavegård, it's only been going for a few seasons but it has already been snapped up by the big fashion houses in Scandinavia, and the brand has numerous fans across the Scandinavian countries. Since we're in such good company, we thought we might as well tell you that we'll be the first store to stock I Dig Denim in the UK come spring/summer 2012. Check out the styles below for autumn/winter 11. E-mail us at info@scandinavianminimall.co.uk if you would like to know more - or just ask questions about the styles we'll stock.