Margherita Missoni: Kids Don't Have to Dress Like North West
Margherita Missoni at the launch of her kids’ clothing line in Paris. Photo: instagram.com/mmmargherita
She was an IMG model, an after-party princess, and even a downtown New York stage actress. Now Margherita Missoni begins a new chapter in her career, and this one’s a little closer to home: the 32-year-old is joining her family’s fashion legacy with a new line of children’s clothing (and it’s super cute). But does the world need another designer onesie? We spoke with Missoni—who’s pregnant with bambini number two—about what sets her new range apart… and what’s wrong with baby fashion right now. (Hint: baby’s shouldn’t be fashionable.)
Yahoo Style: Your son Otto is 18 months old, but you have so many friends in fashion. Why couldn’t you just ask them for baby clothes? Why design them yourself?
Margherita Missoni: All the clothes I got before my son was born; he can’t really wear them! Either you can’t wash them, or they’re too hard to get on and off—you know, so many baby clothes have sleeves that don’t let the baby’s arms go in and out. It’s ridiculous! So my main goals were to make clothes kids could be free in, and clothes their parents could get them in and out of easily.
YS: How else is this collection different?
MM: You can get it on Yoox and Nordstrom, so in Europe and America. The price range is super affordable, $30—$80. And my partner is based in LA, where it’s particularly good for different jerseys and washes. So for the price range, I’m really happy with the quality and the materials.
YS: Did your mother [designer Angela Missoni] pick out your clothes growing up?
MM: No, I was let free. I could choose whatever I wanted to wear, and I think that helped me choose my own aesthetic, it helped me not be afraid of making mistakes, it helped me be creative. That’s what I want this collection to do for children. Help them feel free.
YS: Does Otto pick his own clothes yet?
MM: No, but I’m getting ready for it, because I know that kids want to pick what they wear. That’s why I wanted to have pieces that can get mixed up. Everything in this range goes with everything… And all the sleeves are very open. They’re easy to use!
YS: A lot of these color block prints are great. Are you going to expand the line to adults, like when everyone tried to buy Stella McCartney for Gap Kids?
MM: Yeah, I might! My friends today are like, “Can you just go up to size 14, like Petit Bateau? Can I please wear these? And I’m like, “Sure, why not?”
YS: North West has a custom Givenchy outfit and a fur coat. Being in the public eye, do you feel pressure to have your son wear designer things, too?
MM: No. Not at all. I love clothes for kids because they’re different from adult clothes. You have all your life to be an adult, and to dress like one—you should be a child for as long as you can. And kids want to wear things that are comfortable and free…and actually, I do too. Look, I wish I could be wearing a romper right now!
YS: What’s next for you?
MM: I’m going to start making accessories for children, too. Bibs, scarves, hats, pouches, coats, diaper bags. The dream is to create an entire children’s world. A fun one!
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