November 2009 entires
Thursday 26 November 2009
I would like to say a special thank to Laura at Childrenswear Buyer Magazine for doing such a great job. Check out Pili Pala in their October issue.
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Monday 23 November 2009Those of you who have been on my website recently might have noticed my new price points. I am please to announce that after carefully examining my unit costs I was able to lower my prices to what I would call a more middle market. From a business perspective this might seem very foolish but I truly believe it will help Pili Pala become more sustainable. They say the first rule of selling is to sell what you know. Many years of business experience I do not have, but I do have a real good understanding of children's clothes. As a consumer and as a mother, I also believe I have an understanding of the market that I am selling to.
If I'm honest, I had a hard time relating to my original price points. I know that there is a very successful childrenswear market out there who's price points are even higher than my original prices. This at the time reassured me, but I didn't understand it. Organic, ethical, and recycled clothing does cost more to produce but I try as I might, I still couldn't relate to the consumer who would easily spend £24 pounds on a jersey top for their child . Because I couldn't understand it, it really started knock my confidence and if you don't have confidence in what you are selling...well..you might as well close shop... I am therefore SO happy to announce a leaner, trimmer, healthier Pili Pala. With absolute confidence, I am happy to say that with Pili Pala Childrenswear, not only are you getting quality and style but also at a price a mother can understand. Mozel Tov!
0 Comments | Tags: children's clothes, recycled clothing, jersey top,
Saturday 07 November 2009I have a four year old boy. Like most 4 year old boys, he is very active and has a hard time sitting still. I live in Wales. Those of you familiar with Wales and in particular rural Wales, will appreciate that occupying a four year old on a wet and windy Saturday can try the patience of a Saint. You can usually count on it raining at least once every Saturday, regardless of the time of year. Each month is the same, give or take a few degrees.
These days my four year old is really into Ben 10. If you are not familiar with Ben 10, here is a quick breakdown: A cartoon based on the character of Ben who has this extraordinary ability to turn into 10 different "good" aliens with the help of a special watch; model loosely based on early Timex watches. Needless to say Ben and his 10 aliens fight for the power of good on regular basis, all very exhausting to watch. However none of this is as exhausting as hearing myself saying on average at least 50 times a day...no more aliens right now son...Enough of Ben 10 please...Ben's aliens are kind... remember?...they don't hit, spit, punch etc...yes..I know you are only playing, but now is not the time etc...You see, my son is really into role playing. He is what you would call a method actor. Method actors get so into the character they are playing and sometimes in the process loose sight of themselves.
Today is Saturday and as you can imagine, it is raining and my son is role playing none other than Ben 10. Instead of my usual sigh of annoyance I decided to join him. What followed can only be described as an afternoon of WWF wrestling. "Wildmutt takes on "Upchuck" , "Diamond head" defeats "XLR8", "Stinkfly" meets "Four Arms"...My son's energy knows no bounds. By the fourth round I wanted to quit but the look of happiness on my son's face spurred me on.
0 Comments | Tags: 4 year old, boys,
Wednesday 04 November 2009These days I have been working flat out on my next collection for Pili Pala and in the height of my enthusiasm I've come to discover that I have a healthy obsession with striped kids clothing. Those of you familiar with my current collection will not be surprised that stripes will be making another Pili Pala appearance for SS10 / AW10 . There is something about those crisp,clean, bold lines that fills me with sheer joy. Tractors and ladybirds are all very nice but show me a good pair of stripes and I'm all over it. Perhaps it has something to do with my Danish blood. Danish kids designers have perfected the stripe (note Katvig) and in my own way I suppose Pili Pala is paying homage to my motherland...but then there is the cute factor...kids and stripes...scores pretty high in my book. So yes...I am happy to announce that stripes won't be going out fashion next season. Timeless, classic and lets face it, looks good on just about any kid...stripes are here to stay.
2 Comments | Tags: kids clothing, stripes, kids,
Monday 02 November 2009
My brother recently sent me an article from The New York Times which really got me thinking. Tittled, "For Some Parents, Shouting is the New Spanking" are we a generation that frequently yells at our children? For most of us, spanking is simply not an option when it comes to discipling our kids yet at the end of a long day who hasn't yelled at their 5 year old when they just won't go to bed!
Amy McCready, founder of the Positive Parenting Solutions states that "This issue is so right now. As parents understand that it is not socially acceptable to spank, they are at loss for what they can do. They resort to reminding, nagging,timeout, counting 1-2-3 and quickly realize that those strategies don't work to change behaviour. In the absenceof tools that really work, they feel frustrated and angry and raise their voice. They feel guilty afterward, and the whole cycle begins again".
Experts say that parental yelling may be related to the releasing of stress for many over worked, overachieving, multitasking parents of today. Experts also warn that if a parent is simply loud, the effect is minimal on a child, but when the tone you are using implies anger, insult or sarcasm, it can be perceived as a sign of rejection.
I can certainly relate to this. As a multitasking mother of two young children, the stress can be overwhelming and I worry about being the loudest family on the block.
0 Comments | Tags: children, kids,