I recently caught wind of a little clothing coup d’état and thought I simply have to share it with y’all.
Anke Scheffel, who for many years had been the senior girlswear designer at one of South Africa’s largest children’s clothing brands, recently started her own clothing range: eco punk - v. cool, v. funky, incredibly comfy clothes for kids. I’m not at liberty to tell you which brand Anke worked for but her deliciously fun designs might give you a clue.
In just four months Anke has created some seriously swoonworthy threads. I really like how she captures the fun-loving essence of being a footloose and fancy-free kid without slapping characters like Ben 10 and Barbie all over the place.
I managed to squeeze in a quick chat with the design diva…
Sprogs n’ Dogs: Why did you get into the rag trade?
Anke: I’ve always had a great love for children’s clothing. I believe comfort is key and that kids (and not just their parents) should really want to wear the clothes they put on. I’m a huge fan of combining fun colours with something a little edgy and funky to create fresh designs – that’s what I think kids’ clothing should be all about.
Sprogs n’ Dogs: eco punk is an interesting name, can you explain the philosophy behind it?
Anke: The name is unusual and contradictory. ‘eco’ represents the minimal carbon footprint of the brand – no items are imported, all fabrics are made from natural fibres and sourced in Cape Town (often after digging through reams of unwanted fabric rolls). Items are made by small businesses that we support; we strongly believe that ‘local is lekker!’
The ‘punk’ part of the name symbolizes my rebellious break-all-the-rules approach to kids’ clothing design. I enjoy fusing eclectic mixes (stripes and polka dots) and prints to create surprising combinations that aren’t fussy, but burst with fun.
Sprogs n’ Dogs: How does your pop-up store concept work?
Anke: It’s a fairly new concept where items are showcased at a specific venue for a short period of time, hence the word ‘pop-up’. The goods get sold directly to the customer, eliminating the ‘middle man’, therefore keeping the prices affordable. I try to host my pop-up stores at child-friendly venues (parks, restaurants) where parents and kids can relax while browsing.
Sprogs n’ Dogs: How can people order?
Anke: My website showcases most of my range (I’ll be updating it in about six weeks with my new spring collection). You’ll find prices, style numbers and age categories on each item. At this stage I can take orders over the phone or via email. I’m also happy to ship to different parts of the country. From September I’ll be selling my clothes every Saturday at The Old Biscuit Mill market in Cape Town.
If you’ve got a sprog between the age of one and 11 then eco punk clothing is clearly where the serious (comfy!) fun is at. For more info visit the eco punk website, call Anke on 082 457 4123 or email her: design@eco-punk.co.za.
