Life & Style | Beauty & Fashion
Just for kids
Hatem Al Akeel is thinking smaller. The designer - who will be presenting his Toby Junior line at DFW in addition to his grown-up collection - is all set to make playdates a fashionable affair
- By Manjusha Radhakrishnan, Staff Reporter
- Published: 00:00 October 26, 2009
- Image Credit: Francois Nel, Gulf News
- Hatem's favourite outfit from his infant wardrobe is an overall from an elegant boutique in Rome:"I was lucky that my parents took great care in the way we dressed as kids."
Earlier this year, when acclaimed international designer Stella McCartney took up the challenge of designing clothes for children she snipped the "fairy princess" look from her fashion vocabulary.
Several news reports claim the working mother of three children found it a tad tough to weave the girly look into her new collection, which is tipped to be sold at GapKids and babyGap soon. But Saudi designer Hatem Al Akeel, who is all set to introduce his Toby Junior line at Dubai Fashion Week, did not face any such sartorial dilemmas.
"While designing clothes for adults, you have to keep yourself and your imagination in check. It can't be too trendy or too fashion forward. But designing for kids is a fun process. You can be more daring with colours, prints, fabrics … the possibilities are endless," says Al Akeel.
Eager to tap into the nascent infant couture market in the Middle East, his junior line is also a nod to the blooming kid's fashion market around the globe, which already has legendary fashion brands including Burberry, Little Marc (Marc Jacobs), Dolce & Gabbana and Juicy Couture. "The rest of the world has caught up with children's fashion but in the Middle East we are yet to tap that segment. I realised this during Ramadan... It is always a peak season for us and I had many clients — mostly mothers, wives and sisters — asking me why I did not design clothes for kids. Now, parents are eager to dress their children in the best of clothes and they are willing to spend for quality clothes."
Suri setting a trend
It's also safe to deduct that Suri — the adorable daughter of Hollywood power couple Katie Holmes and Tom Cruise - traipsing around the streets in a Burberry fur-trimmed coat has prompted many proud mothers to turn their toddlers into mini style icons.
"Suri is very well-presented. She is a fashion inspiration for many kids out there. And my question is: Why can't kids have more options?" says Al Akeel.
"What Suri is doing is that she is setting a trend and many of the mothers are now taking care and paying attention to what clothes their kids will look good in. At the end of the day, the kids are the future and it's good to shape them right from the beginning."
Sounding like a dream parent, he adds that his six-year-old nephew Salman was his mini-muse. As far as inspiration goes, he didn't have look beyond his family household.
"Salman is the most vibrant and vivacious boy that you will ever meet. He is just perfect. At the end of the day, I want the kid's personalities to reflect in their clothes. And it's important that you ask them what they like."
Louboutin inspiration
Apart from the much-anticipated Toby Junior line, Al Akeel is also excited about his collaboration with the revered French shoe designer Christian Louboutin. His popular thobes, which are a part of his Less Is More collection, will be complemented by Louboutin's shoes for men.
"He [Christian Louboutin] is like a brother to me. And our friendship dates back to a long time ago. He has been so wonderful and kind. In fact, I was so inspired by one of his shoes that I even decided an outfit based on his men's shoes," says Al Akeel.
At DFW today, the Middle Eastern designer will unveil his black and gold outfit that has taken more than one strand from Christian Louboutin's school of sole design.
"Like his shoes, the black and gold creation will be equally classic and timeless. Just like Christian Louboutin's designs."
MOST FASHIONABLE MINI ICONS
Suri Cruise (Daughter of Katie Holmes and Tom Cruise)Age: 3 years old, Apart from a $3 million (Dh11 million) wardrobe, Suri has successfully brought designers like Roberto Cavalli to that knees.
Sasha Obama (Daughter of Michelle and Barack Obama)Age: 8 years old,The budding style icon is sure to give Suri a run for her money. Recently she was spotted shopping at the posh Parisian boutique Bonpoint for her birthday.
Arlo Weiner a.k.a young Chuck Bass (Son of Mad Men creator Matt Weiner)Age: 8 years old, With a penchant for striped bow ties, crushed velvet jackets and madras pants. Weiner can't wait to get his hands on his first sewing machine.
More from Beauty & Fashion
More from Life & Style
Covering everything from entertainment and lifestyle
Life & Style editor's choice
-
How to stay fit at your desk
Long periods spent hunched over a computer can leave you feeling tired, stiff and immobile
-
Sweet hope for juvenile diabetes
Every day 200 children are diagnosed with type I diabetes around the world
-
Abhay's 1980 Chevrolet Camaro Z28
Abhay wanted a classic car to tinker with and they don't come much better than a 1980 Camaro Z28
