Tots’ toggery
Its online store has attracted a lot of Hollywood attention
Seven years after Vancouver- based Redfish launched its delightful line of children’s wear online, it has opened a bricks and mortar store in its hometown.
The clothes have already been featured in a major motion picture, and the daughter of a movie star has been photographed wearing them. Now, seven years after Vancouver- based Redfish launched their delightful line of children’s wear online, they have opened a bricks- and- mortar store in their hometown.
And despite the celestial attention, prices are down to earth. So is the esthetic which features wash- andwear fabrics and versatile designs that allow for easy movement while still being adorable. Grandparents will love this store.
Redfish Kids Clothing officially opened on the weekend at 851 Hornby St., across from Robson Square.
Started by Vancouver mother and designer Lorraine Kitsos and her partner Kristy Brinkley, the line features striking prints from around the world. Made entirely in sweatshop- free Vancouver, the boys’ and girls’ line sells in Rome, Barcelona, New York City and St. Petersburg of all places. It is also in a few outlets in the Lower Mainland. Julia Roberts held up a Redfish dress in the movie Eat Pray Love [ without Kitsos’s knowledge] and paparazzi caught Salma Hayek’s daughter Valentina wearing a pink Redfish dress in Vienna.
Obviously, things were going well.
“But I was feeling very detached from the process,” said Kitsos in the Vancouver store. “When you spit out a line a year in advance, you are constantly trying to guess what you will need. One year you make too much, and the next year it’s not enough. My dream was to make something and bring it down and put it on a mannequin.” It is so much more concrete than wholesale, she explained.
Kitsos came from a commercial design and vintage- clothing background and started the line when her son was two and she was pregnant with her daughter. Her first design was a swing dress that she modified from one she created for herself when she was with child. That is the dress featured in Eat Pray Love. Now it’s her signature.
She uses prints that she says reflect the courageous nature of children ( they also hide dirt better than solids) and her designs allow kids to grow in them. She says she is committed to local production in a zerowaste environment. Prices range from $ 15 for a T- shirt to $ 150 for a coat.
“Our designs are inspired by the street fashions of cities like Hong Kong, Paris, Tokyo and Milan,” says Kitsos, adding “the strong patterns, expressive colours and crisp architectural lines are easily layered and worn together to encourage a sense of individuality and playfulness.”
Grandparents, parents or friends of parents will also like that the Redfish store also sells beautiful books, toys, meaningful jewelry by local designer Amanda Vogler and whimsical jewelry by New York- based Atsuyo et Akiko. All great gift ideas.