Apolina Kids clothing is a collection of modern bohemian childrenswear with a sense of craft, thoughtfully produced in India.
Inspired by memories of the cherished pieces from her childhood - dresses hand-embroidered by her grandmother and 1970s hand-me downs from older cousins - founder and designer Caroline Duckett created Apolina, with the aim of creating a line of inspiring childrenswear reflecting her own personal style, for like-minded mamas and their free-spirited babies. Apolina was born out of a desire to create a more authentic style, something exciting yet nostalgic; not a passing trend but a modern bohemian range with longevity and a sense of craft. Apolina is designed in England, but inspired by travel and the natural world. Traditional handicrafts from many different cultures serve as the starting point for all Apolina pieces, particularly folk art from Scandinavia, Mexico, America and Eastern Europe. The colour palette looks to unusual colour combinations found in nature, and the relaxed silhouettes are designed mindfully to ensure children are comfortable and able to play freely as well as allowing for growth thus ensuring an increased wear-time.
All garments are proudly and ethically made in India, at a small family-run sample workshop where the free-hand machine embroidery is created by true artisans. With a focus on highlighting traditional Indian craftsmanship, Apolina works with a family-run Indian manufacturer, who employs equal numbers of women and men (unusual for this industry). Ethical trading and production practices are strictly adhered to and workers are not only paid a fair wage, they are also treated as members of the extended family.
Each item is unique due to the hand finishing of the garment, and styles are produced in limited numbers through 'small batch' production. Each style is seasonless and has been designed to be layered up or dressed down depending on the weather, to encourage maximum wear / minimum waste and to help remove the idea of disposability in fashion. Each Apolina piece is designed to be cherished and passed down to younger siblings, and then kept by mothers as a reminder of precious childhood memories, with the hope to be given to grandchildren as a future heirloom.
Apolina’s SS22 collection conjures a vintage summertime with a floral folk mood, where Swedish midsummer meets the pastel-toned styles of 1950s homemade dresses. The season’s prints and embroideries grew from memories of curtains in an old Swedish summer house, bright home-crafted patchwork garments, and the practical patterned playwear of The Sound of Music. 1950s saccharine pastels like Sweetpea and Pool highlight a dusky colour palette of more muted, tomboy tones. The collection sees a return to more heavily embroidered pieces and the reinvention of a few favourite classics. Easy summer styles featuring prints, checks and sweet short and top sets, are intended for outdoor exploration and play, while relaxed and girly silhouettes are made for all day summer celebrations.
