Last month, we featured 4 Great Places in Portland to Buy Clothes for Kid Models. This month we go online and search the world for some of the best and most unique kids clothing brands, looks that will make your child’s modeling portfolio stand out from all the rest. Full disclosure: these brands are somewhat expensive and take some time to ship. If you can’t connect the dots and get new stuff, look for these brands (or something similar) from a consignment dealer or reseller.
The Animals Observatory is a label unto itself: it’s a kid’s brand founded by Laia Aguilar and Jan Andreu that combines the sensibilities of high fashion with style and comfort made for kids. Their latest Spring/Summer collection, designed by Aguilar is, in the words of Milk Magazine, “the effortlessly chic style of Charlotte Rampling, a splash of Martin Parr’s colour and Gio Ponti’s design approach…”.
While The Animals Observatory digs bold colors, Play Up takes a more muted and organic approach. The brand’s latest collection is inspired by artist and weaver Eneida Lombe Tavares and hones closely to the brand’s mantra of fairness and sustainability.
Another brand that focuses on sustainability is OXOX, which we assume means “hugs and kisses and hugs and kisses” (not two beasts of burden dragging a cart). Founded in Lithuania in 2007, their items include things like Sticky Lemon Backpacks and Meduse Jelly Shoes (in bright green, at that). Their current spring is known as The Potato Collection, so you know this line is delicious in many ways.
4FunkyFlavors was founded in 2010 by 4 Funky Humans: a pair of DJs and a pair of record label operatives who came to together to make clothing. Along with designing for men and women, they offer some amazingly beautiful and totally unusual kids clothing. Based in The Netherlands, 4FF now includes over 60 people on their staff.
Organically sourced and built to last, the goods at Repose AMS are the kind of clothing that can be worn through several seasons of kids (meaning, they’ll hold up so they can be handed down). Their SS23 collection is warm and accessible and super fun.
Pictures are from each brand’s website.
Michael Verity is a Portland-based photographer specializing in professional headshots, modeling portfolios and fashion editorial photography. The husband of an acting coach and father of two young adult actors, he’s been photographing successful actors, creatives and business professionals for more than a decade.