Dressing up bébé

Clothing the little ones stylishly, especially in these times, is a tall order. In her mission to populate her children’s wardrobes, Priyanka Khanna discovered these women-founded labels

- Priyanka Khanna

This story came out of personal necessity. During the months we spent in lock-down, my children, blissfully unaware of the logistical issues, were outgrowing their clothes by the minute. In the past, most of their wardrobe was built through our travels. But given the scenario, it seemed essential to look local—from a philosophical as well as practical perspective. Through my research, I discovered brands that also found their origins in the needs of young, enterprising women, most of them mothers, who found a gap in the market for conscious, quality children’s wear and have made it their mission to ensure that India’s younger set is well-turned-out.

FOR INFANTS

MALABAR BABY

Where: Hong Kong, New York and London

THE LOW-DOWN: The label was started by Hong Kong-based mum Anjali Harjani, who named it after Malabar Hill, the neighbourhood of her family home in Mumbai. “I moved to Hong Kong from New York and couldn’t understand why there were no affordable, sustainable and stylish children’s brands. Our designs blend traditional Indian techniques with new technology. We started out as a linen brand for kids, but quickly evolved into a lifestyle label for the whole family.”

THE USP: “Every collection has a personal story.”

THE TIPPING POINT: “When Meghan Markle took Archie out for his first public outing wrapped in our mustard gold Erawan Dohar receiving blanket.”

THE HIT: “Watercolour-sketched muslin swaddles, block-printed XL towels and family loungewear.” Malabarbaby.com