The back-to-school frenzy is about to commence.
Watch for children's duds, backpacks, khakis and the newest models
of sneakers to pop up in store windows everywhere. Pretty standard
stuff.
Unless you stroll Walnut Creek or Martinez and stumble upon Nooles
for Kids. Here is kids' clothing that really stands out, for
school or after schoool. Martinez designer Sonja Snavely believes
kids' clothing should be creative, fun and comfy. And Cute, judging
by the things in her shops.
"I want kids to be comfortable," she says, "they
should be able to play, but still look good."
When Snavely was growing up in Sweden, there seemed to be little
doubt what she should do with her life. Surrounded by a family
of tailors, including her father, she played in fabrics as a
child and started making her own clothing as a young girl.
"Fabric was something that was talked about around the house,
and it was just a natural part of my growing up," she says.
Her style is refreshingly straightforward. Many times, she doesn't
even use a pattern. What stands out is the way Snavely combines
and arranges fabrics. She'll combine pastel cotton stripes with
a bright flannel florals for a dress. Pr ,ox patterned fleece
and solid rayon in a jumper/leggings combo.
"I Think that fabric is exciting, and it inspires the clothing."
Before she came to the United States, she opened a shop in Sweden,
which focused on retro looks, long before retro was trendy. Fifteen
years ago, she moved to the States, started a family and decided
to go to design school. She chose the award-winning design and
apparel department at |
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Diablo Valley College and studied under
Victor Wong.
Her children's designs won a competition.
"I took it as a sign..." she says, "and I thought
I could really do something different for children's wear"
She started making her daughter's clothes, and when friends and
strangers alike stopped her to learnher source, she was further
inspired to open up shop.
She dubs her look "progressive European children's wear"
and is bent on creating things that the top retailers don't.
Her Martinez (725 Main St., 877-663-5430) store has a variety of children's
items, ranging from cute cotton hats to elaborate special-occasion
wear.
She also makes adult jumpers to match the little girls' clothing.
Prices vary, but the average dress with matching hat will go
for $30-$40 for dresses and jumpers in most kids' sizes, including
infants and toddlers, up to $48 for a jacket and pants. Reversible
and custom designs are more.
Snavely is part of what I call the mom conglomerate, a bunch
of local mothers, many from Europe, who create and design clothing,
furniture and other artsy stuff to keep creative. We're lucky
benefactors.
Gina Horan's column appears Mondays in TimeOut. |
