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Jane D’Haene couldn’t have come up with a better name for her new clothing line than Anais & I. Designing this modern sportswear collection is definitely a mommy & me affair. She describes her clothing as “simple clothes designed, tested and approved by my daughter."
”D’Haene says after Anais was born, she decided not to return to her job as design director at an established New York interior design firm. In search of a creative outlet, D'Haene took a sewing class in the garment district and found a new passion. She says she made so many clothes for Anais and her older son Nicholas over the last few years that she found herself giving her creations away. Eventually her husband and her friends urged her to start her own collection.
Noting she’d never design anything her own kids wouldn’t wear, D’Haene says she incorporates feedback from her four- year-old daughter Anais in each piece she creates. “I always make my first samples with her [anais]. I would put it on her for at least a day.” Describing her daughter as “mature for her age,” D’Haene says "my daughter is not a quiet girl. She tells me what she likes and what she doesn't. She was very clear with me when things were not comfortable. And that was one thing I wanted to make sure of – comfort. Kids have to be comfortable in whatever they are wearing.”
Also important to D’Haene is style. “There are so many clothes that are comfortable but not stylish and chic. I wanted my daughter to look the best at the playground. No matter what she puts on. Every piece in my line works together. That came from my daughter wanting to dress herself. So many times I heard from my friends that their kids looked impossible because they chose their clothes on their own. I thought if I create a collection where every piece works together, how nice it would be. Every top works with every bottom.”
A former architect, D’Haene says another goal is to provide girls with outfits that look great even after a long day of playing. D’Haene’s success in this area can be attributed to the quality fabrics she uses and the clean lines of her garments. “Interior design, architecture and fashion have so much similarity. It’s just in different scale. Everything starts with a simple sketch. Both [fashion and architecture] require so much coordination. I always worked with engineers and contractors. Now I work with factories and pattern makers. Sometimes I make my own patterns, and it reminds me when I was drafting spaces. I care so much about detail. I think you can see that from my clothes as well. I like simple design but with great detail,” explains D’Haene.
For her debut season D’Haene uses Liberty of London florals, babywale corduroy and French terry. She notes everything is machine washable and almost everything is all cotton. Design touches are the result of Anais’ special requests. D’Haene created a pocket group to indulge her daughter’s desire for a “big pocket,” and the “hooded dress and long neck dress” in the collection were borne out of Anais’ envy of her big brother’s sweatshirts. Offered for ages 6 months to 8 years, the 65-piece collection wholesales from $19 for a neck warmer up to $71 for outerwear.
Referencing the Children’s Club show earlier this month, D’Haene reports she had an “amazing” debut, garnering such positive feedback. “I remember one particular buyer who said that she can see my sophistication and my daughter’s playfulness in the clothes. She said she can really believe that I designed the line together with my girl and she believes it will do well. That was the best thing, and of course all my favorite shops in New York City bought my clothes.” D’Haene says her “Long Neck Dress, Ribbon Neck Dress, Waist String Dress, Ribbon Back Dress, Big Pocket Jacket and Pleat Shorts and Pleat Pants” are favorites with buyers this season.
D’Haene just took a space in the garment district next to a factory, noting “it will be nice to just watch how things are made from beginning to end,” and she says she is beginning to work on a boys’ collection. “My big boy Nicholas and my little baby Lucas will be my inspiration. It will not be as big as the girls’ line, but I’ve been busy with it. I would also like to do bigger girls [sizes]. That will be more challenging for me since I don’t have experience with my own kids yet, but I’m good at researching. I will be busy interviewing girls everywhere asking what they like, just like I did with little girls.”
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