Don’t you all melt when you see super-chic children dressed in clothes you wished were available in adult sizes? Children’s fashion designer Jenny Randria chats micro fashion with Georgie Bradley.
You would think having a baby would spark the idea to create children’s clothing, but for Jenny Randria it happened in reverse. “I set up Citron Jaune and then became pregnant about a year later.” She might have tempted fate there.
Citron Jaune (that’s lemon to you and me) is both a product of Jenny’s life as an expat and a continuation of her final project from a business school in Paris. “I really wanted to do something when I came to Bahrain four years ago, and I always knew I wanted to do it on my own. I actually had this idea based on my work at business school where I had to create a brand for children, therefore it’s really an extension of that, brought to full-scale.
Of course, Jenny hasn’t got only the business end of things down; her previous diploma was in fashion design – also in Paris. It seemed logical that Citron Jaune, a nod to the fresh summer air, took a leaf out of the sartorial books of Paris and focused on a chic look. “I want to give an elegant look for children between three months to 10 years old by paying special attention to the fabrics. I only use natural fabrics, like cotton and silk” – thinking of that sensitive baby skin – “and I love luxurious things, not because of the price but because of the way they’re made. I focus on handmade embroidery as I love the idea of children wearing unique, quality clothing. The details and finishing touches are very important to me.” Another intention is to allow the clothes to be suitable for hand-me-downs for some very lucky brothers and sisters. “The clothes are classic – I want my clothes to be passed on from one generation to another – in a way that makes them timeless.”
Seeing the little shirts, skirts and trousers ensues a lot of oo-ing and aa-ing and an irresistible urge to touch every bit of the velvety material – which is exclusively sourced from Jenny’s home country, Madagascar. “All of the clothes are produced in Madagascar, as a way of supporting the local economy. The country has a lot of potential in the art and crafts industry and, by getting my clothes made there, it promotes the country beyond the harsh reality that exists. If I can support them in that way, then I’m happy.”
The reality of launching Citron Jaune has seen a few bumps on the road, but as Jenny knowingly admits: “It’s a long process which is only just beginning.” The intention is to spread Citron Jaune’s presence in Bahrain and the MENA region, and Jenny is now on the lookout for a partnership and is open to new opportunities to develop the business. g
Call Jenny: 33753-419
Instagram: @citron_jaune_
