Whilst browsing my favourite local Twitter hashtag #BeckBromFL I came across a brand I had never heard of, through local rep Mari. The brand is me&i, a Swedish based clothing company founded by mums, for mums (and everything in between!) I don't usually do fashion blogging but I love writing about companies who are individual and trying to make a difference, which me&i are definitely doing. So, a little about them before we get to the pretties! me&i was started in 2004 by Susan Engvall and Helene Nyrell in their kitchen at Barsebäck, Southern Sweden. The great ethics of the company are deeply run through all aspects of the brand, from production and factory conditions through to materials and ingredients used. Here is where we find out the first part of what makes me&i different. Their clothes are produced in Turkey and Portugal in closely monitored factories which adhere to their specific guidelines for working and production conditions. "We only use factories that apply our Code of Conduct which specifies Most of their clothes are Oeko-Tex certified. Please click the link for more information about how this certification is keeping harmful or un-tested substances out of clothes production, something which is very important to think about when purchasing children's clothes especially - we all know how little ones like to chew on their sleeves. Obviously to have guidelines and standards of this kind of quality, alongside items being made of organic cotton and beautifully soft combed cotton, then the price per item is a little more than your average high street store but you do get what you pay for. On top of being a brand with a conscience, they like to make clothes which have durability and are long lasting. On to some photo examples! The colours and prints are bold, bright, individual and hardwearing. Colours are picked for each season but match between old and new seasons too, this creates a weath of outfit opportunities. On the above items, you can see the double layer material over the knee on the leggings for added durability. On the skirt, the waistband is tailored to be rolled up or down to change length, making it suitable for littlies and bigguns and most importantly, able to grow with your children. Here is another example of innovative design, the vest below has foldable sleeve cuffs which match the external pattern perfectly, enabling you to buy bigger and roll the sleeves up - making the whole item last a lot longer and again grow with your children. Plus, who could resist a hat that cute?! I am a huge fan personally of individual and quirky items for my kids and I. Below, is another amazingly cute set which caught my attention, soft to the touch, squidgy AND adorably cute. The trousers and leggings are actually cut very generously around the bottom, making them a perfect fit for cloth nappy wearers, too. Again you can see the detailing on the cuffs and adjustable waist enabling your purchases to last a lot longer. Sheeeeeeeeep! The children's range of clothing at me&i is New-born to fifteen. I took my eleven year old along with me when meeting Mari to get his opinion about the designs. He is quite fashion conscious now and loves purchasing items for himself. He really loved the individual and slightly alternative look of the clothes produced and was very impressed. It takes a lot to impress him at the moment, so that says something! Skulls were a firm favourite with him (and me, I have to say) but he also loved these tracksuits below in particular. I would love to have one of these for each of my boys (11 and 2), what a cool way to match. Another more grown up look is the jean and t-shirt casual style, which is always in fashion. Fantastic adjustable waist here again and adjustable length in the leg too. Again you can see how the colours can be easily interchanged for a different look, throughout the styles. The other big thing I love about the colours and prints is that the majority of items are unisex. The last clothing image I have to show you is my favourite. These are items from last season's release but I just love how you can match mother and child in such a fashionable and cool way. I adore stripes and skulls - so really this combo is perfection in my eyes (note the little skull detailing on the mama top!) I wish I had a better way of conveying to you how soft and flattering the materials and combed cotton is in real life. I literally couldn't stop stroking the clothes. me&i also make clothes for women, I was a little dubious about this at the start as I've never been one to treat myself with clothes or even look into how my own clothes are produced. The prices are similar to that of the higher end high-street budget but perfectly reasonable considering the production values, materials used and fantastic cut of the clothes. I decided not to take any photos of the women's range but to show you some photos from the me&i website. You really need to see these clothes worn to appreciate the style and ability to flatter any figure type. Laying on the floor just didn't do these pieces justice. Here are a few of my personal favourites. (Photos by me&i) The Twisted skirt and Penguin top. I love this skirt, the cut is so flattering and individual. It's almost fluid in the way it wraps around you and flows with your body when you walk. Plus, it's HOT. You can go evening with a loose fitted top, heels and statement necklace or just as easily rock it up with a leather jacket, thick tights and DM's. (Photos by me&i) I'm a huge fan of Boyfriend jeans at the moment, I find the cut extremely flattering for most shapes and again these are no exception. A real staple for any wardrobe, especially teamed with a funky t-shirt such as the Pirate v-tee shown here. What could be better suited for the upcoming festival season?! There are also pants. Cloud pants! (photo by me&i) These are so cute and their design reflects their feel, soft as clouds! Not only are they totally sweet in design, the cut is also extremely comfortable and well suited for cloth pad users. If you'd like to know more about ethically produced and safe re-useable cloth pads, please take a look at the wonderful Fit and Fluffy Mama blog for more information and inspiration. me&i also produce a small range of toiletries (body lotion, hand cream and perfume) which are paraben free and produced in Sweden. The light floral and melon smells are a delight and would leave anyone feeling refreshed and ready for the day ahead. Buying these items is a little different. me&i products are sold via parties, fronted by a local rep. I have always been slightly worried by these kinds of thing as you think automatically it's going to be the hard sell and pressure to buy. Reality couldn't be further from that misconception. me&i reps are passionate about the clothes they are selling because they love them. Mari was genuinely excited to show me each item we looked at and loved wearing the brand on herself and her beautiful daughter. This wasn't just for the sell, it was from a respect and passion for the clothes and company itself. Parties are usually held at your own house, with a group of your friends. Although me&i reps are happy to discuss different events and places such as fun coffee mornings or pamper days too! The host (you) gets either a free item or an amount off of purchases depending on how many people come to your party. That has nothing to do with purchases, simply just the amount who actually turn up. So even if it's just you and another friend and you don't buy a thing, you will still get a bonus. Mari explained she prefers a more adult-based party as although we all love our children and toddlers, it's a little difficult to properly concentrate with a tribe of smalls running about the place, I have to agree there! But of course any children are welcomed too. As is wine. Mmmm wine. Mari also explained that, especially with women's wear, it was so much better to try on clothes rather than just browse the racks, as you really get a feel for the items and fit of the different cuts that possibly you wouldn't have thought about trying before. So basically a heap of your friends with some snacks and drinks, with a personal shopping experience for you and your kids for free, no pressure or nastiness... much like the clothes themselves! I'm really loving the me&i brand now. Talking to Mari and doing my own research into how clothes are produced has opened my eyes on many subjects I hadn't ever thought about as a consumer. Please check out the official webpage at www.meandi.se/en/ for a more detailed explanation of what goes in to their clothes and items, how each piece of clothing offers longer durability, what their fabulous ethics are and of course how to host your own party! You can also follow me&i on Twitter @meandiUk and on Facebook here https://www.facebook.com/meandiuk?fref=ts Mari is on Twitter too @MariMeandi and also has a Facebook group which you can request to join here https://www.facebook.com/groups/marimeandi/?fref=ts All views and photographs (except where stated) are my own. Please note this is not a paid endorsement or advertisement, I have received no payment for this blog post.
2 Comments
4/17/2014 06:32:36 am
Evenly written article on a little known local business. Written in such a way as to keep me interested right until the end. I feel I now understand their business ethos and where they hope to go with the brand and it's individual style coupled with their urge to cloth us ethically and responsibly.
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Who is Julie?30 something, mother of two gorgeous boys, lover of one gorgeous husband, perpetually living in a dream world full of wine, chocolate and artsy crafty things. Archives
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