When stars like Lady Gaga and Gwen Steffani begin dedicating time and energy to design baby clothes, we definitely know something is up. The markets might also have picked up on the raging trend, because Chennai suddenly seems to be flooded with exclusive baby products at the moment. Gone are the days of boring pastel shades, uniform frills and standard cuffs on babies. With parents looking to provide their toddlers with the most unique look, baby shops across the city are stocking up on some outrageously cute baby-sized fashions. With the practice of shopping for newborns riddled with traditional customs and sentiments, baby couture might not have been a good idea for a conservative city like Chennai, but new-age moms seem to think otherwise. “I definitely won’t mind spending a lot of money for my baby, however ridiculous it may be,” says Sai Preethi Ramesh, a recently wed. Until few years ago, every toddler would be decked up in miniature ethnic Indian ghagra cholis and kurta pyjamas, but apart from those under designer brands, new moms have much more to choose from. “We have authentic Indian clothes, but with an European touch to them under the designer brand Tee Hee,” says Shrilekha, GM of Vanilla Kids Place, RA Puram. We all know that there is no better alternative option than cotton to suit sensitive baby skin, but say hello to organic fabrics tailor-made to pacify toddler skin. “We have Zeme, a brand that provides us with exclusive organic clothes that are toddler-friendly,” informs Shrilekha. They might be toddler-friendly and extremely hippie-chic, but Manu Chabria, owner of Baby Lou at Alwarpet has his two pennies worth. “Not many people are aware of organic clothing and there is also a price factor to it. And when you consider that babies quickly outgrow their clothes, organic clothes are not practical,” he says. “Cotton is the best fabric for babies any day, be it for designer clothes or regular every day wear,” he asserts. It might be feasible for Suri Cruise (Tom Cruise’s extremely fashionable kid) to attend celebrity parties dolled up in designer labels and matching shoes, but we do need to consider the fact that babies outgrow clothes before shelling out mindlessly. “I honestly don’t find much difference in the variety of clothes for babies, but I will want the best for my baby, so I wouldn’t mind spending on clothes,” says Preethi. Apart from new materials and models, there have also been some humour elements introduced to baby fashions. We might not be sure of what Steve Jobs has to say about an ‘Ipoo’d’ infant bodysuit, but we can definitely tell that the parents of toddlers are appreciating the comic relief. Also, the next time you have to dress your precious little one for the shockingly excessive first birthday party of a fellow toddler, check out some of Vanilla’s English-style, chic and classic outfits. Flavoured teethers & shoes that singIf you think you can just use a teether and a rattle toy to pacify your crying toddler, think again. Babies today are used to more than just that and their parents also don’t seem to mind splurging to pamper them. With a plethora of toys and accessories available in the exclusive baby shops, new-age parents are mind-boggled as to how to coddle their precious little ones. There is exclusive furniture, accessories and play things. Cradles, beds, tables and shelves are being made with rubber wood, the sturdiest option available. “As the child grows, we can convert the toddler furniture into teenage furniture,” explains Shrilekha, Manager, Vanilla Kids Place. The furniture is usually made to match the thematic rooms of the kids, which often ranges from princesses, castles and stars for girls to transport systems, sailors and sports for boys. Toys these days are also more than just playthings that distract the babies while the mothers are busy. They are evolving to be more interactive, things that help the child grow and are educational at the same time. For babies who don’t like taking baths, there are toys that can be fit into the bathtubs or any smooth surface of the bathroom. Apart from these, Vanilla also has musical and wooden toys, which are all non-toxic and child-proof. At Mom and Me, they have automated rockers which will help a busy mum put her toddler to sleep. Flavoured teethers, shoes that sing and light up, not to mention exclusive baby food are some of the other products that are thronging the markets. “We have finger tooth brushes that a mother can use to clean the insides and gums of her teething baby,” says Manu, owner of Baby Lou. “This used to be previously done with chlorine,” he adds.
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