OTTOBRE design® autumn 4/2022

I started my career as a clothes designer well over thirty years ago. Recently, when I was tidying up my files, I found a bundle of brochures that had been made at the early stages of my career. As a young idealist, I had described my first collection of children’s clothes as follows: “The Vattumato® collection comprises colorful children’s clothes that are made from natural fibers and combine quality with beauty and beauty with functionality. Since play is the work of children, it requires appropriate workwear. Clothes must not be too tight or clingy, and the wearers should be able to crawl and climb in them. The clothes of this collection will not get spoilt through washing and wearing - quite the contrary.”
Even though that impassioned manifesto of mine makes me smile now, I must admit that my ideology has not really changed. Over the years, our family grew to four children and today we are also the happy grandparents of four grandchildren. Based on the experience of over 38 years I’m convinced that play really is the important work of children. Doing things together with the child - playing, doing craft activities, reading and spending time outdoors - has a significant role in the child’s development. Even very young children learn invaluable skills through play, such as interaction, imagination, motor and social skills, and learn to perceive themselves as participants in activities involving other children and adults. In fact, children’s play can be seen as training for the rest of their lives.
What role do clothes play in children’s lives, then? As a grandmother of four assertive little ones I have noticed that children can form a close relationship with their clothes. They have their preferences for designs, colors and materials, and might even give their clothes lovely names. It’s important to listen to children’s ideas and wishes. In one my old brochures I articulated my thoughts as follows: “Vattumato® garments are cheerful and respect children. A child is happy to wear comfortable, well-designed clothes. Our clothes have roomy pockets for children’s treasures, and there’s always a touch of playfulness in them. Our clothes have been designed for the child’s figure, rather than being smaller copies of adults’ clothes. Beautiful children’s clothes are also easy on the eyes, and a nicely-dressed child is often rewarded with a friendly smile from onlookers. What else would build the child’s self-esteem better than positive, approving feedback. Thus our clothes also enhance children’s well-being.”
My philosophy of clothing is still the same. The baby clothes I design are made from soft, safe and breathable knit fabrics and are easy to put on and take off. Clothes for toddlers aim to promote independent dressing and potty training and are suitable for wearing on little outings outside the home. Preschoolers’ clothes focus on the ease of dressing as well as on the development of motor skills through closing and opening buttons, Velcro closures and zippers, for example. Those are some of the skills that they will need when they start school. On older children’s clothes, attention is paid to functional aspects and resistance to wear and tear, as well as to fashion trends.
Browse through this “Enchanted by the Forest” autumn issue. Hopefully our collection inspires you to sew playful, functional and individual outfits for your children!
Best regards from OTTOBRE design® editorial office
Tuula Hepola
Editor-in-chief