#MCCOTKids {3}
RaspberryPlum
London
United Kingdom
" Life is too short to spend time doing what you don’t enjoy. You have to follow your heart and your passion". This is exactly what British-Serbian textile designer Aleksandra Matthews did when she get bored as she was sitting behind a computer or drawing and painting behind a desk all day long as a freelancer based in London. After graduating from prestigious Royal College of Art and working during many years worldwide for lots of different brands of women's wear, she finally decided to branch out. The children's wear industry, which wasn’t as crowded as it is now, seemed suddenly nicer to her. She thought she could be more free and creative into it. In 2014, Aleksandra, who wanted to be a fashion designer all her life, founded the luxury kid's fashion brand RaspberryPlum and launched officially her first collection at Italian Pitti Bambino in Florence. Unexpectedly the latter won the Rising Star Award at the Bubble London's Fair. As new founder and entrepreneur, Aleksandra had really no idea she was going to be successful, make money and sell all over the world. She only had a good purpose. "When I started the brand I did it because I had something to say. I did not like the ethics of the companies I worked for previously and I wanted to do things differently. I also wanted kids to be confident by wearing my clothes, as they are unusual and will not allow them to be a wall flower." she explains. That is why, from the start, RaspberryPlum is not a trend follower, but a pioneer of style. Every collection, which consists of ready-to-wear for boys and girls as well as knitwear, socks and accessories, tells a unique fairy-tale, usually inspired by art. The brand was born to stand out of the crowd, not to be liked by everybody, but to be passionately loved by a few. What concerns creativity, Aleksandra has naturally changed the way she designs as she became a mum in 2019. " I consider practicality a little bit more. My daughter is also my biggest critic and I do take her advice, but not too much as I would end up with unicorns on every item and the whole collection would be pink." she proudly tells. At RaspberryPlum, sustainability and people come first, before profit. Each garment is indeed ethically made to last for long and manufactured by small and independent European companies. The brand garantees the highest level of craftsmanship and quality. All the materials are sourced in Europe. The knitwear is manufactured in Bulgaria and the ready-to-wear in Serbia." It is our aim to help re-establish and promote a once thriving apparel industry, which has suffered greatly as a result of political turmoil in the region in the last two decades. This is a very personal project to us. We would like every member of our team to love being a part of RaspberryPlum, to enjoy their work and to feel appreciated." As every individual can make a difference to the world and the greatest change can be made by investing in the future of the next generation and encourage them to achieve their potential, since 2018 the London-Based brand is also involved with pride in a charity partnership and social projects with Novak Djokovic Foundation, whose aim is to give children the opportunity to receive a quality preschool education, through training and empower teachers, building and creating self-sustaining schools and programs, and educating parents. Old Stocks are gifted to underprivileged children chosen by the foundation. Giving back is always a pleasure. So if you are able to do it, you are welcome.
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