Better late than never, today’s thread focuses on the SS12 Bubble trade show, the only children’s stand-alone trade event in the UK. A kid’s wonderland, all show-cased under one-roof!

Selectivity (which is key to the organisers of the Bubble trade show when choosing the brands that exhibit there), is incredibly apparent at this years summer event. Welcoming labels old and new, brands show-cased a plethora of exciting collections with a diverse range of ideas. Project ROARsome summerises the general vibe of this years SS12 show after speaking to those on the stands…

A contemporary approach to the much-loved themes surrounding nature transcended throughout many of the collections,  which placed an importance on exploration and the curious world around-us. Exhibitors delivered this message with depth, yet ensured their interpretation was unique to the brands handwriting. Not only represented as an ethical ethos; colour palettes, fabrics, prints and styling details embodied a sense of our environment and natures organic development with gusto. Prints provide a tactile quality and garment styling details are fluid, incorporated harmoniously within the themes.

Colour was either blocked; strong and vibrant, at times even unconventional-  or incorporated a delicate, soft painterly approach as seen at Hucklebones; whose range was inspired by the artists brush strokes. 

Other notable trends:

• Stripes: blocked, fine, rainbow, ticking, preppy, zebra and jailbird can all be found, adding a strong element of fun to ranges.
• Knitwear: lightweight knitted silhouettes were an important inclusion to ranges.
• Grown-on-sleeves: dolman, caped, poncho’s and relaxed kimono styles all had a strong presence. 
• Wild animals strengthen the exploratory themes, incorporated into the garment styling, graphics and prints themselves. 
• Conversational all -over prints continue in popularity with story-telling large scale icons. The Old Rectory’s ‘Birds and Beasties’ patterns illustrate this imaginative direction beautifully with their bold illustrative style. 

Below are a couple of images from the day…

I’m Dotty: irregular jacquard spot at Noa Noa Miniature: 

Soft, delicate tones with shades of taupe at Noa Noa Miniature:

Moss stitch knits at Noa Noa Miniature:

The Japanese Garden Theme inspires beautiful detailing at NoaNoa Miniature:

Grow-your-own allotment theme at Green Baby:

Pretty Nordic silhouettes at My Cinnamon Girl: 

Tactile knitwear at Lille Barn, who’s garment use natural fibres, such as bamboo and organic cotton into their ranges: 

Pretty florals: ditsy prints are delicate and delicate at Lille Barn:

Taupe and french navies at Toffee Moon:

Baby soft - shawl collar detailing at Toffee Moon:

Wrap-up-warm: soft, muted colourways at Toffee Moon:

Quirky detailing re-fresh create a new-nautical at Darcy Brown: 

Fine gauge cotton knits and KidsCase: 

Colour-blocked at Lille Barn: 

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