Trio has fashion down to a ‘T’

KATINA CURTIS

THREE local women have created their own range of children’s clothing after deciding a lot of what was available was too adult for their kids.

Amber Webb, Jodie Russell and Louise Ardita’s long-sleeve T-shirts and baby jumpsuits are now in stores under the label tomtom.

“A lot of the clothes out there at the moment are quite adult-focussed,” Ms Webb said.

Ms Russell agreed, saying: “There are a lot of the slogans that adults get but kids don’t, so we’re keeping it mostly graphics and bold colours.”

The idea to start a clothing line was born two years ago, after the trio wandered into a children’s boutique and decided the T-shirts Ms Russell had been making their kids for years were better than much of what was on sale.

“It’s been a really interesting process,” Ms Webb said.

“None of our backgrounds are anything to do with textiles, manufacturing or children’s clothing, so we’ve been learning every step of the way.

“Because the three of us have been friends, we’ve helped each other along the way and when one of us got cold feet the other two have said keep going.”

The tomtom range, named after Ms Russell’s son Tom, features bold prints of characters such as dinosaurs, robots, monkeys and superheroes.

“They’re really funky still, so parents like them but they’re fun for kids too. There’s no problem getting the kids into them,” Ms Webb said.

Ms Russell does the artwork for the clothes, with some help from her kids.

Some of the inspiration also comes from things Ms Ardita brings back from her travel overseas as a flight attendant.

The Russell and Webb children feature in all the photo shoots and an ad for the range, which the women put together themselves.

“We’ve been really lucky that we’ve got all these talents and we’ve been able to come out and use them all,” Ms Russell said.

Ms Webb said the trio had also been lucky to have supportive husbands who helped out where they could – especially when the winter stock was delivered and her living room was full of boxes.

The three are now working on a summer range and are thinking about expanding into jeans, shorts and accessories.

Tomtom is stocked locally at Natural Necessities in Gerringong, Raspberry Kids in Berry, Little Missy & Moo in Shellharbour and Milk in Fairy Meadow.

Visit tomtomdesigns.com.au for more information.