5 Questions with Camille from risu risu

Risu risu is a wonderful example of a brand born of one mama’s passion. Camille has created her unique line of 100% organic baby and children’s clothing from a desire to combine sustainable production with her beloved classic European style. Hearing some of the story, we wanted to know more. Especially once we heard that Camille is the mother of 6 – yes 6 – children! Here are her answers to our five questions:

1. Please tell us a little bit about yourself, where you live and about your family.

We currently live in Düsseldorf, Germany with our 3 youngest children. I’ve been married for 26 years, during which time we have lived in Italy, Belgium, France and Spain. I was born in France but I guess we can say that we are genuinely European! We all speak Spanish, Italian, English and (some of us) German.

We like Düsseldorf because it is very green and offers the opportunity to live in the city whilst having contact with nature – we have a garden, we live close to a nice forest. Germans love nature and all the parks, gardens, forests, and even the Banks of the Rhine are real opportunities to immerse ourselves in nature. We didn’t honestly expect it, but Düsseldorf and its surroundings are also very rich from the cultural point of view – we discovered amazing museums, especially amazing museums in parks!

I must admit, though, I cannot live without frequent visits to southern Europe – so it’s perfect having risu risu’s workshop in Spain! We spend all our summers in Italy and also go there a few weekends here and there… I guess I take endless inspiration from this country I like so much!

2. Tell us a little bit about your brand and how you came to create your label.

I had decided to choose a mascot, a squirrel, for my brand when I discovered that risu means squirrel in Japanese… I adored the way it sounds, poetic and sweet, exactly what I wanted for the name of a baby and young children’s brand. I also wanted an animal in order to be able to give in a friendly way some messages to the children which wear the ctothes, especially the importance to love and protect the environment.

I started my career working as a controller for big companies. As I had more children I discovered another way of life, one that cared for the health of my family. My kids were sick too often, and I cured them with natural medicines. We also started to eat organic food, 15 years before everybody else! My passion for ecology led me to quit big companies and to start my own business, selling organic cosmetics in Italy and in Spain.

When we came back to Paris, the market for organic products had grown and I opened a store in Paris, My Sweet Bio, offering very selective organic products for children. I was not at all convinced by the organic kids fashion brands available on the market, so two daughters later, and after leaving France again (for Germany,) I decided to finally combine my passion for children’s fashion and for ecology and create a true fashion brand selling only organic clothes for babies and children.

I want to offer the best organic clothes for children. The fabrics are 100% organic and almost all GOTS certified; I chose an ecological dyeing process complying with the strict GOTS rules. The carbon impact and the social aspect of the production is also very important to my eyes – that’ s why we produce in Spain, we dye in France and give priority to locally produced fabrics (France and Spain).

I am very proud to announce that this summer, most of risu risu’s collection will be GOTS certified, which enables the customer to know what he is buying and to get the guarantees he expects.

3. What is your current favourite product in your collection?

I have to think really hard before answering this question! For this summer I really love the Artist dress, which is available for baby girls and older girls too. It is just perfect for the hot weather in summer, but can also be worn together with any top.

For baby boys, I love the Capitaine shirt made of extra soft safran organic cotton muslin. It’s perfect for any time of the year, any occasion and is so comfy.

4. What do you love most about your job?

This question is much easier to answer! I really a love creating a new collection, when everything is still possible, imagining all kind of colours, combinations, trying new fabrics… And the moment you receive the clothes… You open the parcels and discover the new collection having spent 6 months working on it! It’s better than Christmas! My biggest reward is seeing my daughters and other children happy and proud to wear risu risu clothes.

5. You have 6 children! How do you juggle motherhood and your career?

Sometimes I find it impossible, especially when the babysitter disappears from one day to the next… Usually, I try to take advantage of my family team! My little girls try the clothes out and take part in the photo shoots (and they also give their opinion!), one of my boys is very good at Photoshop, the other translated the website into English, one of my daughters will soon be a lawyer, the other one helps me with the styling… All this without forgetting my husband’s daily help and support!

I think that they all saw the advantage of having a mother working mainly from home… and they appreciate seeing my work from the inside.

As you might have seen, there are no big frontiers between my professional and family life. Perhaps that is my big answer — to combine motherhood and a career. I see more and more young mothers working this way, so that they can see their children growing up without giving up their own career.

We’re excited to have Camille and her gorgeous collection joining us at the Spring ShopUp in East London this coming weekend, 6 and 7 May!

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The sweetest selection from A Gifted Baby

A Gifted Baby is a NY-based web boutique specialising in baby clothing, toys and accessories from socially and ecologically responsible designers. Amelia, the founder, has carefully curated a selection of small, independent brands and designers which manufacture ethically and use organic, non-toxic fibers and dyes.  The result is a beautiful selection of products which are as eco friendly as they are cute.

Amongst many others, you’ll find beautiful brands like Winter Water Factory — with a cute collection of organic clothing all made in the USA, EllieFunDay — organic and handmade baby blankets and accessories, Kate Quin Organics sweet organic clothing, Briar Handmade bonnets and Oli & Carol 100% natural rubber bath toys.

Amelia kindly offered to send a little package over for Wilkie, suggesting I choose a few of my favourite pieces from her selection. Choosing was difficult, but I ended up picking this adorable soft denim romper, the sweetest little lion bloomers by Rylee + Cru, and one of the cute (and stylishly dressed!) animals from Hazel Village.

Little Wilkie is six weeks old now (where did the time go?!!), and he’s just starting to fill out his clothing a bit, growing out of those newborn sleepsuits and pyjamas and ready for rompers. Yay!

He’s still got a ways to go before his little thighs are properly filling out these pieces, but we tried out the clothes and I managed to snap a couple photos to share with you. That denim romper is seriously cute, and I love that it works for both boys and girls. A summer must-have for sure.

Courtney x
This post has been sponsored by A Gifted Baby, a valued member of our shopping portal. All words and opinions are entirely my own.

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The Springtime ShopUp in Shoreditch – A Guide to the Area

The ShopUp is coming to Shoreditch and we couldn’t be more excited to be heading to this cool, colourful corner of East London.

Our two-day pop up market on the 6th & 7th of May will take place at the Old Truman Brewery and will feature collections from many of our unique independent brands. There will be fun activities for the kids and a whole host of delicious food stalls right on the doorstep.

If that wasn’t enough to entice you, we’ve rounded up some highlights of the coolest local spots to eat, shop, and do so why not bring the family along and make a day of it!

EAT/DRINK

• Story Deli (6 Calvert Avenue, London, E2 7JP) — One of London’s best kept secrets has now moved to a new home in Calvert Avenue. The pizzas are still just as crispy and delicious and the pared back, effortlessly cool interior still looks so fresh and unique. Definitely one of the best pizzas in London.
• Albion (2-4 Boundary Street, London, E2 7DD) — On the ground floor of the beautiful Boundary Hotel, Albion is a favourite amongst locals. Its breakfasts and bakery counter never disappoint.
• Lyles (56 Shoreditch High Street, London E1 6JJ) –The much talked about Lyles restaurant in the famous Tea Building serves up seasonal British dishes with a twist. Lunches are a la carte but evenings are a single set price menu, it’s popular so booking is essential.
• Pizza Purist (Elys Yard, Old Truman Brewery, Brick Lane) — One of the most popular food trucks in the Old Truman Brewery. Authentic sourdough pizzas cooked in an enormous wood fired stone oven that was actually shipped over from Italy. Delicious and perfect for a quick and easy bite.
• Flat Iron (77 Curtain Road, London, EC2A 3BS) — Steak and chips done perfectly.  Simple, well cooked and delicious.
• Dum Dums (Unit 31 Box Park, 2-10 Bethnal Green Road, London, E1 6GY) — We all agreed that these were the most delicious doughnuts we have ever tasted. They are baked rather than fried so are far healthier. You can also get crones (croissant doughnut ice creams) with a selection of fillings. So good!!
• Smokestack (35 Sclater Street, London, E1 6LB) — After building up a cult following with its street food stall in Dalston Smokestack has now opened a bricks and mortar restaurant serving “grown up BBQ food”. The food is seriously tasty and a step up from the usual BBQ fare. The outside tables are also a great spot to watch the comings and goings of the market.

SHOP

• Luna and Curious (24-26 Calvert Avenue, London, E27JP) — A cheerful kids and womenswear shop on one of the prettiest streets in the neighbourhood. Featuring many British made designs as well as their in-house designed knitwear in bright, bold colours. They also sell a fun selection of toys and books and some lovely jewellery for Mum.
• Good Hood (151 Curtain Road, London, EC2A 3QE) — One of our favourite shops in London, this place is a one stop shop for unique stylish homewares, stationary, gadgets and fashion.
• SCP (135-139 Curtain Road, London, EC2A 3BX) — British modernist design at its best, selling everything from furniture to jewellery and a really fun selection of kids toys too.
• Search and Destroy (20 Cheshire Street, London, E2 6EH) — Vintage clothing stores can be found on every street corner in Shoreditch but Search and Destroy feels that little bit different. Here you’ll find a carefully sourced selection of unique and beautiful pieces. Such as pretty embroidered Oaxacan dresses and hand stitched leather satchels.  Such a charming store.
• Labour and Wait (85 Redchurch Street, London, E2 7DJ) — Selling a quirky selection of timeless functional products this is one of those stores that you could browse for hours. Everything is beautifully made and has a wonderfully nostalgic feel.
• Le Labo (61 Redchurch Street, London, E2 7DJ) — Bespoke perfumes, freshly blended in personalised bottles. The smell of this place alone is worth a visit.
• Box park (2-10 Bethnal Green Road, London E1 6GY) — Boxpark describes itself as the worlds first pop up mall. Shops are housed inside a complex of repurposed shipping containers, all linked together beneath a giant street food market. Such a clever and unique idea to showcase up and coming independent brands.
• Dark Sugars Chocolates (141 Brick Lane, London, E1 6SB) — This incredible chocolate shop has to be seen to be believed. We always drop in here for a tasty treat whenever we are in the area. Set up by a Ghanaian lady who spent years travelling South America and West Africa in search of the perfect cocoa. Its a chocolate lovers dream and well worth a visit.

DO

• V&A Museum of Childhood (Cambridge Heath Road, London, E2 9PA) — There is no where else quite like this wonderful museum! It’s home to one of the largest collections of children’s toys and games in the world, including some of the world’s most beautiful doll’s houses from times gone by. Children will love seeing toys that their parents and grandparents grew up playing with and I guarantee you’ll leave feeling more than a little nostalgic too. Check out their website for up to date information on their extensive range of family activities and events.
• Barber and Parlour (64-66 Redchurch Street, London, E2 7DP) — This cavernous old warehouse on the corner of Redchurch street is Soho House’s newest concept in male and female grooming. Not only do they serve excellent coffee in their laid back ground floor cafe but the beauty treatments here are fast and surprisingly cheap too.
• Spitalfields Market (Brushfield Street, London, E1 6AA) — Market traders have been coming to Spitalfields for over 350 to sell their wares. Where fruit and vegetables once stood, London’s oldest market today now showcases everything from art and crafts to fashion and food. As well as market stalls you’ll also find a great choice of restaurants and shops.
• The Old Truman Brewery and Brick Lane Market (Brick Lane, London, E1 6QR) — With almost every street food stall you can think of Brick Lane and the Truman Brewery are a foodie’s heaven. You can also find vintage goods, art and fashion inside the Truman Brewery’s various indoor markets.
• Columbia Road Flower Market (Columbia Road, London, E2 7RG) — The famous Columbia Road Flower market is such a fun and colourful experience. Every Sunday the whole street comes to life with the buzz of market traders and the vibrant sights and scents of the of flower stalls. You can pick up some great bargains too so take plenty of empty shopping bags.
• Regents Canal — Take a stroll along the peaceful and picturesque Regents Canal with its colourful houseboats and quirky cafes and restaurants scattered along the towpath. Its a relaxing way to explore the area away from the busy roads and you’ll find some great hidden gems along the way such as the cool Towpath Cafe by Whitmore Bridge.

We hope you’ll pop along to see us at the ShopUp on the 6th/7th May and if you’ve any other suggestions for this fun part of town please add them in the comments below, we’d love to hear them!

Kate x

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