A celebrity baby boom has toddlers looking just as fashionable as their famous parents and two Nanaimo moms hope their designs fit in with the trend.
Maquinna Marriott and Jessica Davis, who founded Bella and Charlie Designs more than a year ago, travel to California this weekend to show off their bib and blanket creations in a 'gifting suite' prior to the Emmy Awards.
A gifting suite is like a mini-mall where celebrities have their pick of designer items from across North America. Photos taken with the celebrities can then be used for promotional purposes.
Bella and Charlie Designs is one of about 25 companies included in this year’s suite.
“It’s extra exposure for us,” said Davis. “I hope lots of good things come from this.”
Davis and Marriott were expecting children at about the same time and found a lack of baby products they liked, particularly blankets and bibs. To change that, they made their own.
“We made a few and people liked them,” Davis said.
Bibs and blankets can be purchased for cheap at department stores like Wal-Mart or Zellers, said Davis. The sisters carefully chose patterns, designs and fabrics more suited to their styles.
“We wanted something more sophisticated,” Davis said.
The Emmy Awards are the third celebrity event the sisters are involved in this year, beginning with the Oscars in February. Their products were featured with an American store owner who chose three additional brands to complement her own.
From that, Marriott and Davis were invited to an event in New York, which they attended with their products. The organizer of that event also planned the Emmy gift suite.
“Once you get invited to one, they get to know your brand,” Davis said.
The sisters, who juggle motherhood in addition to their business, head to Los Angeles today (Sept. 15) and present their designs Friday and Saturday.
“We’re going with an open mind,” Davis said. “We just want to have a really good time.”
Bella and Charlie Designs are available online or in Nanaimo stores Malilah Magoo’s Children’s Wear and Kit N Caboodle children’s consignment.
For more information, please visit www.bellaandcharliedesigns.com.