There are many babies and young kids in the streets of Shanghai, all happily playing, dressed in cute outfits with vibrant colors. But I was surprise not to see pre-teen or teenagers, even on week ends. Why? I learned from my Chinese friends that they are all kept home by their parents, to study and do their homework. A hard life, the one of a 13 years old in China!

A bunch of kids interviewed on Pirouette said Shanghai is the city they dream to visit. A fascinating destination that I decided to go check out myself. Children’s industry insiders (thank you Lucky Wang and Kicokids) gave me good tips about what to visit, including children’s stores. I’ll bring back info, images and news for you.  Stay tuned!

Photo1 Lucky Wang.
Shanghai (?? Shàngh?i) [1], with a population of more than 18 million (with over 5.8 million migrants), is the largest and most developed city in China. Photo 2 Wikipedia.

Millie Ferreira was born in October 2002. She spent two years in New York with her family, and now lives in a beautiful house in South London with her dad John, mom Debbie, brother Oliver, cat Mimi and dog Biddy who insisted to be featured on Pirouette. Millie What do you want to be when you grow up Zoo keeper Your favorite famous person Hello Kitty Your favorite book Roald Dahls The Twits, Magic Kitten Seaside Mystery, Stories for Girls Favorite film Santa Buddies, Nanny McPhee, Marley and Me Favorite place for the holidays Sri Lanka and the Maldives A city that you dream to visit Sidney Who choses your clothes in the morning I do always Favorite color Green and purple Favorite brands Zara Kids, H&M The piece you like the most in your closet My guinea pig t-shirt (its too small for me but I will never let it go) Next item you would love to get A T-shirt with a kitten on the front!

Debbie Your favorite children’s brands Quincy, Simple Kids, Caramel, Zara Kids Favorite adult’s brandsDries Van Noten, Marni and a good pair of jeans Favorite children’s storesCaramel in London, Yoyamart in NYC, Zara kids in Portugal (they always have more choice), Couverture in Notting Hill What type of online consumer are you? I’m not a big fan of online shopping. I love the whole shopping experience – I like to ‘feel’, try on, before I buy. Books are pretty much the only thing I buy The most expensive item you bought for your Millie A pink sapphire from Sri Lanka (it will be made into a ring for her) and her christening gown (handmade in Portugal) The criteria you consider when you buy something for child When Millie was little I loved shopping for her clothes: but now she chooses everything and is quite specific about what she does and doesn’t like (even down to school shoes!) I love her creativity and imagination: yes she sometimes gets it wrong (in my mind of course), but I think its important to let her express herself. That said, there are always limits and I do try to suggest, but often its a 100% rejection! An item that is hard to find Good kids Swimwear – never lasts The outfit you really enjoy to see Millie in A white cotton dress from Bonpoint – timeless Where will you spend your summer holidays Possibly back to Fire Island to a house we rent on the beach, then Sitges and Figueras in Spain

Quincy, Simple Kids, Zara Kids, Caramel Baby & Child,Yoyamart, Couverture

The AW10/11 collection from Dutch brand Buisjes En Beugels +++will be soon available for purchase (end of August). Named Dots and checks, vive l’art! , it features nostalgic colors from passed 80s’ like nude, bright yellow, neon pink and Queens blue. From 18 months to 10 years, available at Little Fashion Gallery (France), Minigiants (UK), Line und Liv (Germany) and the designer’s own e-store Buisjes En Beugels.

Kodie lives in Brooklyn, NY, in an old factory loft full of art and artworks.  Her little sister Zana is 21 months old; her mother Heather is a prop stylist and set designer  as well as an art director and painter in her spare time (www.heatherchontos.com and heatherchontos.blogspot.com). Kodie is a good goalie in soccer and a great writer with impeccable handwriting.

Kodie What do you want to be when you grow up I want to be a zoologist

Your favorite famous person The Beatles Your favorite book Breaking Dawn, Twilight Series Favorite film Twilight Favorite animal Tiger Favorite place for the holidays Thailand A city that you dream to visit Cairo, because I just want to go to Egypt and see all the crazy pyramids and huge statues Who choses your clothes in the morning I choose my clothes though my mother tries to Favorite color Purple and black Favorite brand Free people The piece you like the most in your closet Black skinny jeans, and I always wear Converse, red or black only….. Next item you would love to get Boardwalk/surfing shorts

Heather Your favorite children’s brands Molo , Ella Moss, Project E and H&M, always a good cheap bet Favorite adult’s brands I love Marni, Nicole Farhi and Katherine Hamnett Favorite children’s stores Yoyamart is great and Alikat in Brooklyn, also love Bu and the Duck, but more for my little one Criteria you consider when you buy something for your children How cute it will look and if it can be washed a million times The most expensive item you bought for your children A cashmere sweater that my nannny shrunk in the wash the first time it was worn. The American Girl doll now wears it… The outfit you really enjoy to see Kodie in I used to have a favorite piece that Kodie wore and it was a dress that I made her out of old batik fabric from the 1950′s. It was the cutest little loose summer dress. She wore it ever day on vacations in Spain and France and it was just that thing that was perfect for her. Now she gets pretty funky, but she is a little adult with her own thing going on. I try to influence a bit stylistically but oh how she rebels Where will you spend your summer holidays We are going to Montana this summer for a few weeks and Spain at the end of August

Free People, Molo , Ella Moss, Project E, H&M, YoyaMart, Alikat, Bu and the Duck, Converse

This 70m² (753 SqFeet) boutique is a rare opportunity for who wants to open a retail space in Paris. Located on Rue du Bac, it is a few steps away from Le Bon Marche and Bonton concept store, in a busy part of Rive gauche, the “passage obligatoire”, or a “must-pass-through” street for a chic local clientele  as well as shopping addicts from all over the world.

Jasmine June & Iris

Agathange is French although he was born in Belgium in 2005. He was named after his maternal great great grand-father. He moved to Singapore two years ago with his parents, older brother and younger sister and has been enjoying South East Asia’s warm climate that allows him to wear very little clothes. He’s picking up Mandarin a lot faster than his mum.


Agathange
What you want to be when you grow up Submarine pilote or farmer
Your favorite famous person Lego Indiana Jones
What makes you happy To play video games on the wii with my brother
What makes you sad When my teacher says I’m naughty
Favorite book Tintin comics
Favorite films Indiana Jones, Star Wars, Cars, Krtek (Czech cartoon form the 70s) on youtube, YogaKids’ ABC
Favorite place for holidays My grand-parents’ mill in the South West of France
A city that you would dream to visit Somewhere where there is snow
Favorite yumme thing Ice cream!
Who chooses your Clothes in the morning My mum
Your favorite color Blue and brown
The piece your like the most from your wardrobe My Star Wars t-shirt
The next item you would like to get Lego Batman

Sandra

IKKS, Gingersnaps, Petit Bateau, Vert Baudet, Zara Kids, Gap, Melijoe, Vente privee, Sarenza, Kickers, Burberry, Chloe, Shanghai Tang, Saint James