Babiekins Magazine Volume 11 - Cover 1 | Page 26

{Q} I’M ALWAYS MARVELING AT YOUR UNIQUE PRINTS AND PATTERNS. THE BEETLE DRESS IN THE BRITISH INVASION COLLECTION WAS A STAND-OUT TO ME, AND I KNOW THE COMMISSIONED FABRIC IS SOMETHING YOU’RE REALLY PROUD OF. {A} Yes. Tammy and I found ourselves exhausting fabric catalogues early in the season, and we were really frustrated. We couldn’t find enough interesting prints to fit the eight to ten [styles] we release a month. The process is really fun. We work with contracted artists and design alongside them, a very back-and-forth effort, until we get it perfect. We then send the digital files off to our fabric vendors and they print for us. The entire process takes about six to eight weeks. {Q} THE FUNCTION AND LOOK OF THE DRESSES IS A NOD TO DAYS GONE BY, ISN’T IT? {A} We both obsess over mid-century modern aesthetics and the fashion icons of the 1950s and 1960s. The classic lines, and the polished, clean silhouettes of those times are evident in almost everything we design today. We love modernizing those vintage patterns and making them relevant for today’s child. {Q} SO YOU’RE CONSTANTLY IMMERSED IN SOME STEP OF THE DESIGN CYCLE. BUT IN ADDITION TO THE BUSINESS SIDE OF THINGS, WHAT HAS BEEN THE BIGGEST PARENTING CHALLENGE YOU’VE FACED? {A} We both face very different challenges as parents. I (Kris) would say my biggest challenge as a parent is making time for one-on-one with each of my four children, for my husband, and for myself. Between school obligations, sports commitments, Bijou and running our crazy household, I fall short usually in every arena at some point or another. I drown in laundry, I drive-thru, I carpool...I try and not be too hard on myself when I just can’t get it all done. It really does take a village. {Q} YOUR DRESSES ARE RETRO AND ADVENTURE-READY, AND YOU DON’T FOLLOW THE FASHION SEASONS, EITHER. {A} Our business model is somewhat unique from other online-based retail stores. We release new collections every two weeks, which typically include four to five styles [and] colorways each time. We load all of our inventory at eight [in the evening] Central Time on Tuesdays and once it is gone, it is gone. We don’t restock or add inventory after it is sold out. {Q} THERE’S A PERSONAL CONNECTION EVIDENT WHICH MAKES BIJOU REALLY APPROACHABLE AS A FAMILY BUSINESS. BUT I DON’T HAVE TO TELL YOU IT’S A COMPETITIVE JUNGLE OUT THERE. WHAT MAKES BIJOU STAND OUT? {A} We feel Bijou is different from other boutique brands first and foremost because of our quality. We hand-make everything here in the United States, and use high quality designer fabrics, or fabrics we design ourselves. We design every style and make our own patterns, and we strive to make things we would wear ourselves. It’s elevated, yet ready- to-wear and comfortable. And our girls love hiding their treasures in our standard pockets. 27