Announced in early December, Oscar de la Renta, known primarily for stylish gowns worn by celebrities at awards shows, plans to design babies’ and children’s clothing. While somewhat contradictory to the notion that baby products should be practical, Oscar de la Renta’s children’s clothing line is coming after a handful of other high-end designers, such as Gucci and Fendi, ventured into this field.
The fashion house recently appointed Papo d’Anjo’s Cathering Monteiro de Barros to vice president of the children’s line. Although no prices have been announced, the kids clothing is expected to hit stores in fall 2012 and will include garments for girls and boys between the ages of 18 months and 14 years. While fashion-forward pre-teens with money may gravitate toward the line, the brand claims its clothing will be for parents who “want their children to look like children.”
In addition to Fendi and Gucci, other ultra high-end brands have veered in the direction of children’s fashion, including Paul Smith, Burberry, and Stella McCartney. Profiled by the New York Times, these high-end designer kids lines fall into two camps: mimicking adult fashion in style or specifically designed for children. In addition to Oscar de la Renta’s upcoming line, Fendi falls into the latter. To the press, Silvia Fendi said:
“There is a fashion element to the collection. But it is important that it be clothing that works for children and that it be made well from good materials.”
On the same note, these high-end designer lines are made to last or, in the case of Stella McCartney, use eco-friendly materials. Yet, considering how quickly children – especially toddlers – go through clothing, is shelling so much for an outfit worth it? Unless the item is to be passed down, it ends up being nothing more than an expensive novelty.
