Best Children's Fashion Boutique 2017 | Junior Design Awards

Junior Design Awards 2017 for Best Children's Fashion Boutique

Nothing brings community and creativity to a high street like a beautifully curated and welcoming children's boutique.

In an age where online stores and big brands dominate in terms of sales, Junior is proud to celebrate these independent bricks and mortar stores that make shopping for little ones a tactile and magical experience.

THE GOLD AWARD FOR BEST CHILDREN'S FASHION BOUTIQUE ... OLIVE LOVES ALFIE

Set up in 2006 by ex-designer and stylist Ashlyn Gibson, who needed to find a way of working while sustaining family life as a single parent, Olive Loves Alfie has always had children and imagination at its heart.

Now a globally recognised store that has expanded to include homewares and clothing and gifts for grown-ups, the boutique experience has something to excite everyone.

The inspiring displays and feast of well-sourced international labels in both the original Stoke Newington store (in north London) and their more recently acquired Stratford, East London outpost, create the benchmark for their successful online store relaunched this year.

Renowned for thinking outside the box and stocking a mix of ethically produced and gender neutral labels as well as hosting a series of in store OLA Mama! events to inspire and help parents in areas such as nutrition, sleep and style, Olive Loves Alfie is a destination store in the truest sense.

THE SILVER AWARD FOR BEST CHILDREN'S FASHION BOUTIQUE... OUR KID

Based in Charlton Manchester, Our Kid has placed itself at the very heart of its community.

With its stylish in-store café, regular events and dazzling array of toys, homewares and thoughtfully chosen clothing it truly is both a social hub and multi-concept store.

Stocking exciting British designers including Tiba+Marl, Scamp&Dude and Tobias and the Bear they are a real destination for locals and more far flung customers who want to dress their kids in comfort and stand out style.

Our Kid told us that their ultimate goal is to build a community of engaged customers who feel at home whenever they step across our threshold and to roll-out their Our Kid shop + cafe concept across the North West and beyond.

Congratulations Our Kid! You're well on your way.

Junior Editor Bonita said: "We all loved the fact that parents can enjoy the cafe here and let their little ones play in a cute hang-out area while they shop stress-free.

"It sounds fantastic - and I'm putting it on my list of places to visit the next time I'm up north - pop the kettle on!"

THE BRONZE AWARD FOR BEST CHILDREN'S FASHION BOUTIQUE... NIDDLE NODDLE

Niddle Noddle is a ray of sunshine in North London's leafy Crouch End. Set up by two local mums with a strong creative vision, there is definitely a spark of magic about this independent store which hangs its clothes on fallen tree branches and boasts an extremely popular yellow chute at the back of the shop to keeps kids distracted while their parents shop.

With cleverly chosen ranges of clothing and shoes that include Saltwater sandals and lesser-known labels like Poudre Organic and Petit Lucas du Terre, as well as a great selection of toys that focus on creativity and imagination, this is a great place to find new treasures.

A special mention has to be given to their beautiful window displays featuring seasonally changing, hand drawn illustrations on their huge plate glass windows.

Junior judge Jo Tutchener-Sharp from Scamp and Dude) said: "Niddle Noddle is my local store, I'm always in there. They have the best stocking filler table in the world! Love them."