Kiddie Couture

Gucci Kids, Burberry Kids, Versace Kids, Fendi Kids, Dior Kids, Lanvin Kids…and the list goes on. 

Yes, we’re talking about the same Gucci, Burberry, Versace, Fendi, Dior & Lanvin that inhabit the streets of New York’s Fifth Avenue. These high-end fashion houses have recently started offering kids lines in the hopes of targeting the under 12 audience. While celebrity offspring like Suri Cruise have been wearing couture since they were babies, which normal parent in their right mind would spend USD 2,900 on a Gucci Fur Coat or USD 1,100 on a Lanvin Sundress?

Surely, in the midst of what seems like bad economic times, these lines shouldn’t be doing well enough for Gucci to have recently opened the first of its kind Children’s boutique, right? This is obviously not the case, with more than USD 30 Billion worth of sales in the children’s clothing industry last year, and designer labels contributing to USD 800 Million of this. Ralph Lauren even held the first ever full runway show for his girl’s collection in last September’s New York Fashion Week.

Obviously there are some parents out there who are willing to spend USD 1,600 on a trench coat for their young children, but the majority of parents still seem hesitant. After all, why wouldn’t they? It makes it difficult for parents to teach young kids about the value of money and the ever-growing problem that beauty isn’t determined by a fancy piece of clothing.

- Shanila Daswani