Buisjes en Beugels +++
Thinking of my early teenager years, I recall a heavy leather book-bag on the back of my new bike, cycling to the ‘big school’ in town (we were living in a little village), wearing my much needed (but not really much loved) glasses, and with huge braces in my mouth!
I wonder if Dutch designer Kellie Smits had a similar experience, because she named her kids’ designer label BB+++ (short for ‘Buisjes en Beugels +++’, or, ‘Tubes and Braces +++’), giving these childhood necessities an instant sense of chic!
Kellie’s background lies in art and design (she studied at the famous Dutch Design Academy), and although she was a very successful independent artist before, she felt a bit isolated and missed interaction. When she was pregnant with her second son, and looking for more sophisticated and authentic clothes for kids (and especially boys), she started her first collection of BB+++ in 2005. Kellie’s collections are very ‘down to earth’ Dutch. They are very functional and minimalistic, showing the essence of the design. The garments are classic, but are at the same time very modern in their detailing and shape.
The clothes have a really good fit, the colours are beautiful and the fabrics are of the best quality. And they stay in excellent shape, even after loads of washes! My kids look very trendy in their BB+++ pieces, but more importantly, they can move very freely in them.
For instance, my son has a BB+++ jumper that doesn’t look extremely special when you first lay eyes on it, but when he wears it you see that it really fits beautifully, that the colour is ‘just right’, that the little areas of thinner fabric in the armpits allow for a lot more freedom to move for the child but at the same time assures the fit of the jumper stays perfect.
My daughter’s BB+++ dress looks a bit like an over-sized T-shirt when you first see it, but when she wears it, it looks super cool, with the a-symmetrical collar, the beautiful gray colour and the amazing fabric!
Kellie has definitely succeeded in offering something new, beautiful and original to the market of kids’ clothes!
If you’re looking for something special, you should check this brand out.
BB+++ is available from the BB+++ webshop, and through Little Fashion Gallery from January 2009 onwards…
xxx Esther
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Very, very cute!! I feel like I could like some of those pieces for MYSELF!!
Hello, I also had glasses and braces as a teenager, maybe the reason why I liked BB+++ immediately when I discovered the range a little while ago.
I am buying mine (well my kids’ in reality) from Lilli Bulle. My daugther for example has the dress and leggings (see link below), this was one of my best purchase of the season I have to say. The details are fantastic (the leggings have buttons to make them old-fashioned style) and the clothes look both modern not not say edgy (oh oh someone knows their designer) and simple at the same time. The quality of the fabric is amazing and there is a big bonus: it is very very soft inside (I know, I want some too!). As you say, you don’t care that they kids get them dirty because you can wash them again and again, they just remain the same! They are also comfortable as kids’ clothes should be. The shapes and colours may look basic when you see the clothes for the first time, but once worn, whaou, they fit so well. Yes they do look super cool! And last but not least, my daughter wants to wear this dress every day, this is the real test isn’t it?
http://lillibulle.typepad.com/boutique/2008/08/robe-tunique-co.html
Hi! Thank you for your great comments! Just want to let you know that you can buy the adult versions for your self also from january 09!
Mother & son in a BB+++!
In our case – mother, son and daughter all in BB+++!
When can we expect the dad’s collection??
And we present also a dad’s collection coming January!
I can’t wait! Many thanks