Alimrose Designs' Director/Owner/Designer Susan Shadlow (at left) and Business Development manager/Designer Erin Claire speak to us about Alimrose Designs!


What's the story behind Alimrose (ie history)?
The business was established over 25 years ago almost by accident! Susan was the creator of the business and at home with her very young children she was frustrated by a lack of extra cute baby bibs and accessories so sewed her very own at home. A few stores in Mosman and Sydney city couldn’t resist her cute homemade quilts and bibs etc and from here it all started. The business expanded and then went into making licensed product for about 5 years with Australian themed doll ranges from the stories of May Gibbs. From here it all grew into a lovely range of dolls, rattles, baby accessories and also home wares.

What makes Alimrose different from other toy/ gift brands?
We really strive to make an extra cute and functional range of toys and accessories. We have to love what we produce and we have to want to have one of everything in our own homes otherwise we don’t want to put it out there for everyone else so we put in the extra love and effort into the design & fabric selections. Quality is paramount so that really sets us apart from most of the other brands out there trying to imitate the same products. Our customers continually praise us for our design and quality.

What inspires your designs?
That’s easy, babies! We are constantly around children and babies and LOVE it. Our own interests & hobbies include in fabrics, design and all things vintage which makes our jobs so lovely when it comes to putting together all the ranges including our home ranges as well all the lovely pieces for babies and children.

Any hints for us as to what you're working on next?
That is mostly top secret but I can tell you we have the cutest range of soft fabric shoes/booties that will be in stock in January 2009, as well some gorgeous new pieces especially for baby boys (now that Erin has had own baby boy 3 months ago there is new inspiration for baby boy pieces!).

What's your best selling product or range?
The Alimrose hand squeakers and cuddle toys have always been our signature baby items. They are just so popular. Everywhere we go we see Alimrose hand squeakers in little hands and prams.

Do you have an all time favourite product?
We personally love our dolls. They are so special and cute. There is such a big nice range to choose from it makes it difficult to choose just one!

Do any celebrities love Alimrose products that you know of?
We stock our range into Petite Tresor in L.A (THE place to see celebrities buying up big for their babies) so we are sure there are quite a few Alimrose Designs pieces in the nurseries and hands of the rich and famous!

What's been your most exciting/fulfilling/wonderful moment since launching Alimrose?
About 8 years ago we re-branded our business to be Alimrose Designs and took a slightly new direction in the design and look of our products. After this we had the most wonderful response from retailers who have since given us great support. I couldn’t say it is just one moment that has been the most exciting, but the last 8 years have been exceptional. We love our brand and what we do. Everyday I have emails from people in the USA, UK and Australia telling me how much they love their Alimrose doll or their Alimrose hand squeaker and where can they get more etc and that makes me really content and satisfied.

Are Alimrose products available elsewhere in the world? If so, where?
Yes as I mentioned we now have Alimrose available in stores right across the UK, Europe, USA, New Zealand, Australia and even a store in the U.A.E as well as a few in Asia!

Every order from November 1 until Christmas will get a complimentary sheet (measures 68 x 49cm) of candy cane red and white stripe wrapping paper in their order. So as soon as you get your BGS parcel you can wrap it and pop it under the tree - before the kids have even realised the mail man has been!

We want to make shopping this Christmas really easy, stress free, stylish and simple. And what could be simpler than doing all your shopping online and having it delivered to your door the next day? Now you don’t even need to rush out and buy a whole bunch of Xmas wrapping paper- we’ve got that covered for you.

It’s our way of saying thanks for shopping at Baby’s Got Style and we hope you have a very Merry Christmas!

It’s a gripe a lot of mums I know have. They’re constantly taking beautiful shots of their child but it takes about 50 clicks of the camera (thank goodness for digital), bribes galore and lots of rounds of “If you’re happy and you know it clap your hands” to get one that’s frame worthy. And if you have more than one child and want a lovely shot of them together - you might as well try your odds at lotto.

I spent the first 9 months of Allegra’s life snapping away like a mad woman with a lens attached to my face 24/7. This was much to my husband Gian’s dislike - men just don’t get the memory capturing thing do they? He kept grumbling under his breath “Oh good. The camera. I knew there was something missing from this special family moment that would make it complete”. And he accused me of turning our child into a paparazzi kid - when the flash goes, she smiles (um this is true I’m afraid. She really does turn on the charm for the camera flash! Oops, bad mummy).

But while I managed to get some lovely shots over the months as she grew I was itching for that special one. The one I would frame in a locket around my neck for years to come and put on the 2008 family Christmas card.

So when Lana of Little Posers photography (and of Lil’ Lana Swimwear!) told me she was coming down to Sydney from Brisbane and could squeeze me in for a session with Allegra - I jumped at the chance to book her in.

Lana made the whole thing so easy, natural and fun (even Gian had to admit it was a painless experience!). Allegra just went about her afternoon as usual (with a few more wardrobe changes than usual admittedly!) and Lana captured her along the way. So I asked Lana to share her top 5 tips for photographing your kids (see below) so you can try to get great results at home on your own (or you could check out Lana’s site here www.littleposers.com.au and talk to her about booking your own session in!). I might mention Lana is pregnant with her second bub and was wriggling along the floor with her belly and generally doing everything she could to get the best shot - what a trooper!

So here are a few of the shots we captured that afternoon. Does anyone know where I can get a dozen locket necklaces for a good price?















Happy snapping!

Daniela x

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Top 5 tips

1. Full tummies means happy babies
If you have a newborn, a little milk will settle your bub, allowing you to take your time to capture those gorgeous sleepy shots. Older kids and toddlers will appreciate a yummy breakfast or snack before you start snapping away.

2. Think about your clothing choices
Hey, it’s a great excuse to go shopping! And of course, Baby’s Got Style has all you’ll need for the cutest baby shots in town. Simple, bright clothing works a treat on toddlers, while newborns look best in their birthday suits or a fresh white one-piece. Small floral patterns can look adorable on little girls – try a patterned skirt with a plain top or vice versa. For boys, you can’t go past funky T and jeans.

3. Turn off that flash and move into the light
On-board camera flashes wash out your subject and make your background too dark. So turn off that flash, and find some bright, indirect light. Placing your subject next to a big window or glass sliding door inside is perfect, and if you’re heading outdoors, a shaded area under a tree or catching the light in an afternoon sunset is perfect.
If you have a digital SLR, think about learning to use your camera on the ‘Aperture Priority’ setting. By turning your aperture down as low as it will go, you’ll be able to achieve those lovely blurry backgrounds that you see in the professional’s images.

4. Get down low and make it fun
Crouch down on your child’s level, and engage with them. This not only makes your child feel more comfortable, it allows you to capture that all important eye contact which will make your images so much more engaging. Play with your kids, let them run around and be silly. Often the best shots are captured when your child is having a good giggle at themselves… be ready, this is when you’ll capture the most natural shots. If your child is showing signs of frustration or boredom, stop, and try again another time.

5. Think before you shoot!
Is a tree sprouting out of your son’s head? Is your daughter squinting into the sun? Maybe there’s a clutter of toys in the background or a messy loungeroom? Simple, clean backgrounds will draw your attention to your subject. So take a little time to think about the background as well as your subject and you’ll have a winning shot!



Baby’s Got Style exclusive offer: If you’re in the Brisbane area, all style babies receive a free 6x8” print when you enquire about booking a Little Posers photography session before 30th November 2008. www.littleposers.com.au

Interview with head designer of Munster, Sam Brown

What's the story behind Munster (ie history)?
We were working in the clothing industry at the time with a street label and as a side project decided to do a couple of garments for our son jax, then 2. We wanted the label to have some attitude so created mikey munster the character and the line took its direction from there.

What makes Munster different from other kids clothing brands?
We have 3 boys so we generally know what they want to wear and what works for them. I think also the lines influence from street culture sticks out with more mature yet fun graphics playing a major role.

What inspires your designs?
Mikey munster, music, art, street culture and nostalgia...

What's in store for summer?
Photo prints and toon prints in the tees, denim roll ups and coloured cut offs, plaid shorts and toon, plaid and stripe boardies.

Any hints for us as to what you're working on for next winter?
Great denim in raw indigo and sand fired black, loads of trackies printed and plain, more photo prints in the tees, reversible knitwear and some killer jackets.

Do you have an all time favourite product or collection (past or present or future seasons)?
All time favourite would have to be Nirvana tee... it still gets comments whenever the boys wear it...

Do your kids have faves?
Yes... the boys definitely have their pics each morning... winter - the spider trackies were a big hit aswell as the black denim and batty tops and for spring; rollin skate tee, punkature and connies tee have been worn alot together with some denim roll ups.

Why do you think little boys love Munster gear?
Graphics are a bit more mature yet still fun so they can relate yet feel they have something dad or older brother would be stoked with.

What's been your most exciting/fulfilling/wonderful moment since launching Munster?
Going to our first Bubble show in New York was good; New York with no kids was even better... then the next season when we received our first order from Barneys and it was time to crack the Veuve.

We’ve been loving the Weleda skin care range for our own personal use for years now. So it was only natural that we should bring you their beautiful range for babies and mums.

Weleda sources the finest fair trade ingredients from specially selected, biodynamic and organic farms to produce health-enhancing herbal and homoeopathic formulas and exquisite body care products, free of synthetic preservatives, fragrances, colours, raw materials derived from mineral oils and parabens.

Their baby skin care range has been formulated with biodynamic Calendula extract to soothe sensitive skin. All of Weleda's baby care products have been developed in conjunction with doctors and midwives.




To celebrate the arrival of Weleda to Baby’s Got Style we are giving every customer who places an order in October a FREE Calendula Nappy Change cream sample.

We’re also giving you the chance to WIN an amazing Weleda gift pack (valued at over $300) that contains 16 products perfect for a new mum and bub.

Included in the prize is the Calendula Baby range as well as Baby Colic and Teething powder. Breast feeding tea for mum, nipple care cream and Almond face products (perfect for a new mothers highly sensitive skin) as well as rash relief cream and Blackhorn elixir (useful for fatigue).

To enter all you have to do is purchase any item from the Weleda range during October (if you purchase two items you get two entries, and so on)!