About us: baby clothes, knits and knitwear production

Knitting has become the latest "must-do" past time, with even Hollywood stars picking up their needles to create something beautiful. Baby clothes and childrens' knitwear is especially high up on the list. But not all of us have either the time – or the skills– to produce hand-crafted knitwear and this is where Bugs and Fairies comes in.

This newly formed company combines the talents of traditional master needle knitters and the sharp creative eye of two London designers to produce a classic range of stunning baby clothes and hand-knits.

Childrens' and Baby clothes: Traditional knitting revisited

The idea for Bugs and Fairies was formed after Rebecca Klico, then working as an architect, was inspired by the amazing knitting skills of women she met in her husband’s homeland of Bosnia and Herzegovina. Many women there – widows and bereaved mothers and daughters – found themselves living in refugee camps following the violence and grief of the 1992 Balkan war. They used knitting, a traditional skill learned at their mother’s knees and passed down through the generations, as a form of therapy to help overcome their trauma.

During one of her visits to Bosnia, Rebecca decided she wanted to help these women get back on their feet financially through incorporating their skills into a creative line of childrens clothing for the British market. She worked with some of these women to design and develop a collection of classical quality children’s knitwear, including baby clothes for newborns through to garments for children of up to five years of age.

The result was Bugs and Fairies.

Company development: needle-knitting and creative design

Together with her business partner, Lesley Seabrook, a former advertising creative, they developed a line of exquisite hand-crafted clothing that combines traditional hand needle-knitting skills with contemporary design. Their aim is to produce childrens clothing that combines classical with chic in unique pieces of such high quality that each will be cherished as an heirloom.

A varied range of childrens' knitwear and gift ideas

The Bugs and Fairies line ranges from antique baby sets to funky children’s coats, sweet ballet wrap cardigan to chunky boys hooded jumpers. These have been teamed up with heavenly girly tutus and a range of crisp cottons using clean lines, few colours and natural materials. Attention to detail is all, with baby organza trim, ceramic designer buttons and discrete bows. The items are beautifully presented in pure white cotton bags with the distinctive Bugs and Fairies logo.

Towards a bright future

Bugs and Fairies' partnership with the women in Bosnia has seen women from all ethnic groups working side by side, and the income has enabled several war impoverished families build a new life.

"I have taken up knitting to make a living and I am very proud to support my children by my handwork" said Eslada, a refugee from Eastern Bosnia.

"We are producing the kind of hand-crafted clothing that we found almost impossible to find and that our customers love. Being mothers ourselves, the opportunity to help other mothers in Bosnia is also an important part of the Bugs and Fairies vision" says Rebecca.

Notes to Editors

Rebecca and Lesley wanted to create hand-crafted, one of a kind clothing that would be cherished by mothers. As knitting diminishes amongst British women, often the soft delicate baby knits of yesteryear, the booties and newborn pixie hat, are nearly impossible to obtain. Needle knitted children’s cardigans and jumpers have all but vanished from the High Street.

Now, using old skills with a trendy design twist , Bugs and Fairies is introducing a whole new generation to the pleasure of hand needle-knitted pieces. Jenny Chapman, a highly experienced and skilled knitter was brought in to design original pieces for production. She is constantly working on new designs and techniques and supplies both technical production advice and design direction.

Their latest product range is a selection of bespoke gift boxes designed for new mothers and babies, christenings and children’s birthdays. Each box can include any item of clothing from the range, exquisite silver keepsakes and gifts for mother’s, which can include a favourite pampering beauty product.

Bugs and Fairies Mission Statement

Bugs and Fairies is committed to earning the loyalty of our customers by providing superior quality and beautifully designed contemporary knit-wear and products for children. The company is founded on a close partnership with a women’s co-operative that was established in war torn Bosnia to help women use their traditional hand-knitting skills to support their families.

Our goal is to build a responsible business that enables women to earn a decent living wage whilst balancing work and family.