Marie-Chantal, designer and Princess of Greece, talks about her new childrenswear collection
Marie-Chantal aged 6 years
It’s all well and good fashion looking fabulous, but it’s even better if it fits in with your particular lifestyle. It’s even more important for children, whose fashion also needs to be fortified against their rough-and-tumble lifestyle.
Mother-of-five Marie-Chantal says she tries to design according to how she would dress her own children at the same age. She describes her oldest child, daughter Olympia, 13, as being very “fashion focused”, seeking out items such as leggings, ra ra skirts and skinny jeans. “I’m everywhere. I’m all over the place trying to find pieces for her,” says Marie-Chantal.
Like many mothers of teenagers, Marie-Chantal believes there is a definite need to cater more for the ‘tween’ market. “It’s difficult finding clothes for Olympia,” says Marie-Chantal, who admits to the odd battle with her daughter over what she wants her to wear versus what Olympia’s personal preferences when shopping in the typical junior department of most stores. And of course, few 13-year-olds share the same tastes as their mother.
Her childrenswear collection may now be too young for her oldest children, but Marie-Chantal says she has to focus on what at three- four- and five-year olds want to wear. This also includes paying close attention to production to ensure the quality of fit. “It’s the most important part of the business,” reveals Marie-Chantal, who spends 90 per cent of her time involved in the design process.
Marie-Chantal's upcoming winter collection caters for newborns to 12 years and it does the simple things beautifully, including many of the basic, everyday items, but with a twist, such as cargo pants, denims and T-shirts in various colours. “It’s realistic,” says Marie-Chantal. “It’s for everyday rough and tumble and activities. There are also great coats for walks in the park or even ice skating…”
For more information on Marie-Chantal’s range of clothing, visit www.mariechantal.com
