Wow!
What a start into the New Year. Boom! I like a good start. Fresh, inspirational, powerful and full of faith.
After I missed all the shows last summer because of our road trip and ‘only’ did CIFF KIDS last winter because of the baby, I decided to go 300% this season.
Starting with Pitti Bimbo in Florence {my first time}, 5 days later I was off to Playtime Paris and after a very quick pit stop at home I went to CIFF KIDS.
Intense yet very awesome. Meeting old friends, connecting with new. Catching up with brands, shop owners, agencies and, of course, other bloggers and journalists. Many very interesting conversations happened and for the first time I realized that Paul & Paula is really old. Haha! We are turning 7 this year in May.
[read more=”Read more” less=”Read less”]
This is so cool. I mean, I love what I do. Kids fashion is still a huge passion, the industry is so nice – really like a family and after all these years… you just know a lot of people, stories and ‘things’.
I also realized that I react the same when people call me Paula during these shows. It actually makes me smile.
So what happened in January?
Pitti was overwhelming. In a positive way. Especially because it was the first time {next time I know my way already}. And really very special. Nobody celebrates kids fashion as the Italians. It was fantastic to see how important the kids business was for these 3 days.
I saw fashion shows {first row}, was invited to very fancy showrooms and booths and did my very first Live Interview.
Diners with friends and lots of laughter…
A beautiful experience!
Next stop was Paris. This time I took Romy with me, my eldest and made lots of ‘dates’ beforehand. Paris is always all about meeting people – everyone is coming, time is short, the fair is big. One needs to arrange things before. On Friday afternoon we met or a quick lunch and coffee, squeezed a little shopping in and met another good friend for diner.
Off to the fair. Talking. Looking. Meeting. Diner with the sweetest people. And Romy surprised that ‘everyone’ knows me. Ha. S E V E N years. Just kidding.
Romy selected two brands. And we went back there a few times. She really loves their style. It was so fun to see and what better than a child who loves your style?!
Back home. One day. Last preps for CIFF KIDS. We did a lovely collab this year. Goodie bag selection, press tour and a TALK. Yes another live thing. Wah. Blog/Influencer relations. Many people showed up. So thankful. Thank you for coming and listening. Important and interesting topic. We as well as CIFF got great feedback. Yay!
And now it is February and the task to follow up with everyone, digest all the news and finds is not as easy as it sounds.
I box with all the cards is sitting next to my computer. Waiting!
During the travels I did not share much on my private IG account. I actually just about managed to keep my new ‘blog only’ IG running. Respect to everyone who managed. Walking around, meeting people, pictures, talking…. and running IG. I am out. I learned that I can’t. Always good to know ones capacity :)
Summary of show recaps:
Playtime via Instagram
Oh and for the trends.
*Next winter we will see balloons. Balloon skirts especially. I love that shape. It is so cute and fun!
*And a little more glamour. A little silver lining here, sequins there… details are the most important. I saw some very fancy {BLING!} shoes my friends.
*And knits. More and more knitwear brands are starting. You know I love knits. This makes me happy.
PLUS:
*I see adult collections popping up. More and more brands add pieces for parents. The “I would wear this” phrases must have made an impression…
*Bedding – brands love to have a little home wear too.
*Accessories. Brands are more complete. Socks, underwear, shoes… before you had a brand {or two} for each category. Now you find these pieces in every collection.
PS: In case you wonder – I missed my family big times. It is wonderful to get out {the first time I traveled alone since Josephine was born was Florence} and to not count the kids permanently… {one, two, three… four. Bingo. All there!}. It is. I do miss them. I looked at the pictures on my phone and we face timed lots too.
You know – it is the same when we are all together. The craziness that comes with a family of six is just what you love and hate most. At the same time!
Thank you to everyone I met. Everyone I talked too. Everyone that listened and shared. LOVE!
[/read]
