Simonetta for UNICEF, a stunning display of dolls featuring their archive fabrics

Posted on February 15, 2012 by smudgetikka

At Pitti Bimbo in Florence this January the Italian children’s fashion label Simonetta held a remarkable event in aid of UNICEF.

To support the Pigotta project they had dressed 500 Unicef patch dolls in fabric and styles from their archives. I arrived late to the event and hadn’t realised the dolls were being sold in support of the Charity, but I was given one sad and lonely last doll whose outfit had been taken from her.

So for my first ever giveaway all the way from Florence I have one Unicef Pigotta patch doll here for one lucky reader who leaves a comment below, I will pick from my lucky hat on the 19th February and despatch the doll promptly. Her Pigotta identity is still attached.

More about the work of the Pigotta project can be found here, the project is an Italian once a year event, the dolls are made by school children, senior citizens and volunteers by hand and the event’s aim is educate the importance of immunisation in the developing world. The dolls represent all the races on Earth and weirdly this one looks a bit like me!

Simonetta for UNICEF all the dolls designers and representatives from Simonetta at Pitti Bimbo 74

Simonetta for UNICEF Girls play with the dolls before the auction

Pigotta doll from the Simonetta event Pitti Bimbo 74

Simonetta doll with her Pigotta identity tag

All posts copyright Smudgetikka – permission must be asked for reproduction 2009 – 2012

The Big British Bang at Selfridges, shop the double whammy Olympics and a Diamond Jubilee in one year!

Posted on February 10, 2012 by smudgetikka

Selfridges are planning an all out assault of Britishness this summer 2012 in celebration of the double events of this year, a Diamond Jubilee for the Queen and The Olympics in London including a mini golf course on the roof!

A special store in store will have an amazing selection of specially selected products, some still being finalised but amongst them will be designer bags, scarves, shoes, jewellery, cards, artists posters and food treats from some great British names and a special tiara shop for that most queenly possession of all which includes a replica of Kate Middleton’s wedding tiara.

Look out for the Olympic survival backpacks from Paul Smith, Anya Hindmarch, Vivienne Westwood and others which are packed with survival needs for broken down tube trains, British rain (very likely) queues too long to wait for food and other urban hazards.

A selection below also of the Jubilee treats in store, it would be brilliant if there are as many street parties again this year as we had for the Royal Wedding, not many will be able to match the Selfridges display team’s bunting though, stretched across the ceiling with row upon row of colour it was a stunning sight.

The Great British Bang runs from 4th May till 31st August at Selfridges all products will be in London and a selection at other Selfridges stores.

What would a Jubilee be without a Corgi or two! Selfridges summer 2012

Emma Bridgewater has a great set of Jubilee china and Selfridges have all the tableware for a cracking street party

Emma Bridgewater has a great Jubilee crown cookie jar at Selfridges Great British Bang summer 2012

Beautiful Mulberry handbag has the British touch added exclusively at Selfridges for Summer 2012

How much do I love this countryside tent for those camping out at the Games!

An exclusive Paddington Bear with his own Mulberry bag too at Selfridges Great British Bang, spring 2012

I Love Gorgeous have designed an exclusive children's Jubilee party dress for Selfridges summer 2012

Tatty Devine selection of tiara's for the tiara store at Selfridges

Scaletrix special, the Olympic Velodrome for Selfridges summer 2012

Team GB Trunki for would be junior athletes! Selfridges spring 2012

Impressive bunting from the Selfridges display team for the Great British Bang preview

All posts copyright Smudgetikka – permission must be asked for reproduction 2009 – 2012

Pitti Bimbo 74 children’s fashion trends for winter 2012 from the stands

Posted on January 27, 2012 by smudgetikka

There is so much to show you from Pitti Bimbo for next winters kids fashion that I am finding it a little hard to edit it all into a few concise posts, I have picked out some of the key trends as seen on exhibitor stands and I will be revisiting some of these labels with more depth later in the year.

All the leading trends are here, chunky knitwear, sixties influences, detachable collars, fur trims, lurex threads, strong colours such as teal, mustard, raspberry and purple, subtle tweeds and grey shades.

Simonetta, strong colour and detachable collars for winter 2012 kids fashion

Simonetta, strong colour, metallic footwear and detachable collars for winter 2012 kids fashion

Tweed cape coat by Hartford for children's fashion winter 2012

Key colour tones and glitter from Bengh per Principesse from Pitti Bimbo for winter 2012 kids fashion

Lurex and random thread sweaters by Ann Valerie Hash for kidswear winter 2012

Madly cool gold sixties style dress for toddlers from Young Versace for winter 2012

Strong colour from American Outfitters for boys at Pitti Bimbo 74 for winter 2012

Animal photorealistic prints and vibrant colour from Anne Kurris for winter 2012 children's fashion

Grey cabled sweater by Fendi for kids fashion winter 2012

60's styling for girls at Fendi for winter 2012 kidswear trends

Inspiring display by Il Gufo for children's fashion winter 2012 at Pitti Bimbo

Moncler focused on their Bruce Weber ad campaign and movie at Pitti Bimbo for winter 2012

Missoni signature knits for kids with fun spotty stools at Pitti Bimbo for winter 2012

Newcomer Bark, knits and only knits but an on trend selection for kids winter 2012

Mi Mi Sol little doll versions of her beautiful dresses for little girls, so sweet at Pitti Bimbo for winter 2012

All posts copyright Smudgetikka – permission must be asked for reproduction 2009 – 2012

Fantastic Marni children’s fashion debut for winter 2012 in Florence

Posted on January 24, 2012 by smudgetikka

This Marni collaboration with Spazio Sei has been done to perfection for kids fashion next fall/winter 2012 bringing a collection with a limited reach to a wider audience.

The line looks exactly as you would expect a Marni collection too, with the key elements of the main adult lines retained and the fabrics and cuts all have the Marni signature to them. The collection is for girls aged 2-12.

Key pieces include the detachable collars in brown floral prints, the tweed pinafore pleated dresses and the tweed parka jacket, the great print and fine striped blouses, dresses and shirts, striped knits with matching striped leggings and tights and signature spotty pieces too.

Consuelo Castiglioni was not in attendance but her very handsome husband and son were there, in a large gallery in the suburbs of Florence that was transformed for the occasion.

Marni children's detachable collar for winter 2012

Display for the new Marnis children's fashion collobaration with Spazio Sei winter 2012

Fine striped Marni shirt for kids winter 2012 fashion

Leigh Bowery style life size dolls at the Marni childrenswear presentation for winter 2012

Spots, stripes and ruffles for Marni children's fashion winter 2012

Gorgeous tweed pinafore by Marni kidswear for winter 2012

Stunning tweed parka coat for Marni children's collection winter 2012

More Leigh Bowery style life size dolls at the Marni childrenswear presentation

More Leigh Bowery style life size and smaller dolls at the Marni childrenswear presentation

Great boots at Marni childrenswear collection for winter 2012

The Castiglioni owners of Marni, father and son, very handsome!

All posts copyright Smudgetikka – permission must be asked for reproduction 2009 – 2012

From Gingerbread Houses to baby’s first Hermes horse, Christmas in town 2011

Posted on December 22, 2011 by smudgetikka

Last minute shopping in town and I found some great display’s to show you. I always make a Christmas visit to Fortnum and Mason and adored their Gingerbread house stuffed with sweets and snowscape display. They also have the largest Christmas bauble I’ve ever seen, more of a disco ball really.

Very cheery windows displays from Louis Vuitton, Moschino, Dolce Gabbana, Vivienne Westwood and of course Stella McCartney who always lights up her shop in style for Xmas.

Best of all I have found the present to get for the baby who has it all, a cuddly horse from Hermes replete with signature orange ribbon tied mane and tail!

Happy Christmas to you all.