Jessie and James have always had the dream to start our own label and saw an opportunity at this time to do something new and adventurous with their skills and experience. Learning abstract and clever ways to cut clothes and designing garments in a playful humorous way they decided that the kidswear market was the obvious choice. They started designing a few little garments, which evolved into a whole collection and decided to take the plunge and launch Jessie and James.
The collection is for babies, boys and girls from ages newborns to 9 years. The clothes are very versatile and there are many ways to combine each style to create a different, personal and loveable look. The Jessie And James wardrobe captures the joy and spirit of a child. Stroller In The City had the chance to ask Jessie And James a few questions about their collection and what’s to come!
How and when was Jessie And James created?
We met whilst working at Vivienne Westwood together, I was the menswear designer and Jessie was Vivienne Creative head pattern cutter. We had a lbaby boy together and always had a dream to start our own label and we saw an opportunity at this time to do something new and adventurous with our skills and experience that we acquired at Vivienne Westwoods fashion house. Learning abstract and clever ways to cut clothes and designing garments in a playful humorous way we decided that the kidswear market was the obvious choice. We started designing a few little garments, which evolved into a whole collection and decided to take the plunge and launch Jessie and James in 2011 in London
Can you tell us the inspiration for this season?
The Jessie and James winter collection this season is the most anticipated and exciting to date. This collection is more a platform to display the skill and innovative designs and cuts that Jessie and James acquire.
Playful, unique, traditional with that special Jessie and James twist makes for very stylish and always flattering garments. Humor is the core of this collection taking inspiration from everything they love. Chaplin movies, Le Ridicule movement, Punk and Japanese Harajuku street style.
Traditional tartans and school uniform checks highlight a punk inspired mood in our new collection which shows in the new Phoenix Mini Skirt style with matching Placket Top as well as in our beloved Delorean Dress in edgy bright red tartan with black underskirt and contrasting bow.
Colourful checks and contrast underskirts highlight the layers in our new styles this season. The very special Desreen Dress shows a draped, asymmetrical cut skirt with different coloured layers a la Harajuku street style.
Clever cuts and folds are seen throughout the collection particularly in the new Handkerchief Dress with it’s A-line skirt and draped waist tie. The Bamboo Dress is an exciting play with fold and squares to create a new style in brushed pink cotton for simplicity and delight.
Modern innovative pattern making mixed with historical shapes and traditional checks are fundamental to the Jessie and James dresses this season. The core block colours in our jersey styles for this winter collection are fire engine red, classic navy, school grey and soft oatmeal crème, mixed with strong colourful window checks and small ginghams and layered with contrast linings. Our jersey signature dresses are playful, sophisticated in contrast stripes and plains to create a sporty elegant touch. We offer a very versatile collection with the unique short black Angelica Jacket to combine perfectly with the jersey dresses and punk skirts. The much desired Ruffle Jacket in navy with contrast check rushed collar or our new Bolero Jacket make a perfect match with our daytime and party dresses.
Our boys wear signature this season are scout/punk badges to decorate our tops and classic jersey trousers and tattoo inspired embroideries like the colourful “swallow” embroidery on our oversized Time to Time Sweater and DL Bomber. The Eclipse Shirt and Pick n Mix Shirt in punk checks made return in our new collection to combine with our taped Great Scott Trousers and cropped double breasted jersey blazer.
I adore the fabrics you chose for this seasons collection. Can you tell us the thinking process that goes on while picking out these luxe fabrics?
We always use the finest quality 100% cottons in in the collection for feel and comfort as it is for children to wear. We search for traditional tartans and checks for the quint essential British look. Checks are also good for our punk inspired styles and this season we have 100% silks for our party section and new styles. For boys we love playing with contrasts, in Jersey stripes, plains and cottons. We think of our mood/theme and then pick fabrics that will be fun, colourful and wearable.
When a child is dressed in Jessie And James where are they going? {school, playground, party}
Jessie and James clothing can be styled for every occasion that’s what we love about the brand and for sure you will be the coolest kid on the block!:)
Where can we purchase Jessie And James?
Our collections can be found in some of the most prestigious department stores including Liberty London, Harvey Nichols, Mitsukoshi, Isetan and Hankyu Japan. Online at Alex and Alexa or on our own website www.jessieandjames.co.uk
What can we look forward to seeing from Jessie And James for Spring 2014? (I sent some pics already but any inspiration would be great!)
Lots and lots of colour, unique shapes and clever cuts for girls boys and babies!:) x
For more information on Jessie And James visit www.jessieandjames.co.uk
SITC was not compensated for this post but did receive samples.
3 thoughts on “Kids Style File: Jessie & James {Q&A}”
Adorable clothes and perfect little models 🙂
Great line! Thank you for sharing!
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