Katie's Monday Mini Memo #004

The power of Awards: Why third- party recognition matters.

Yesterday, I attended a University open day with my daughter, who will be applying this year. One thing stood out: as we toured the Film, Media and Journalism departments, the lecturers consistently and proudly highlighted their students successes at both Scottish & UK level awards. It struck me how often we underestimate this kind of third-party validation.

Coincidentally, this week Junior Magazine announced their latest award winner, another reminder of how recognition can elevate a brand, project or even your career. When Pirouette ran the One To Watch Awards pre-COVID, we saw first hand how impactful awards could be. In fact, several winning brands used testimonials we wrote to strengthen their successful funding pitches & applications.

It’s encouraging to see so many kids’ fashion & lifestyle brands proudly sharing their awards & endorsements across social media. It’s a celebration worth having, it encourages buyers to have a look and gives consumers confidence. So let’s take a look at some of my favourites.

From stand out design to product story telling here are a few of our favourites getting the recognition they deserve.

Looking through this year’s awards has me reminiscing – The One To Watch Award was truly one of my favourite parts of the job. Each season, we selected just two standout newcomers – one for Fashion, & one for Design. I’d walk the aisles of the shows, sometimes stressing a little, but always managing to discover a brand that felt truly special.

I remember all those years ago spotting The New Society at their very first show at Pitti Bimbo, tucked away in The Nest in the basement of the main Pavilion, or Banwood debuting at Playtime Paris, Sticky Lemon en famille in New York, & Bonjour Diary. The common thread? Each brand was showing for the first time, but they were what I like to call “ready to go” with a strong product range, great branding, quality execution & a person behind the brand who really knew what they were doing.

Let’s take a little trip back through the archives, Click on the images for Pirouette articles.

The new Bowie Centre for the Study of Performing Arts.

Now open at the V&A East Storehouse in Stratford the Bowie Centre offers an unprecedented deep dive into Bowie’s creative Universe. Housing over 80,000 items from his personal archive – from iconic costumes to handwritten lyrics it’s an immersive journey through his life, work and influence.

My fellow Kidswear Therapy podcast host Linda McLean thinks it ‘extraordinary’ with the centre even letting you pre-select items online to view up close – a truly innovative and intimate experience for fans and creatives alike.

Look out for the Kidswear Therapy micro pod on Linda’s experience coming soon!

David Bowie Centre 

Zara Kids is putting on a Halloween Circus…

It’s getting to spooky season again, and Zara Kids is providing a big top twist with a vintage inspired clown costume (thankfully not to spooky) and a super cute mini strongman costume, complete with printed muscles.

Thinking about it..years ago, Richard & I actually won an award for sustainable packging design at a very fancy ceremony in London. We honestly couldn’t belive it as we were up against some serious heavyweights. Really we only went to the event to network and maybe pick up some leads but our design ended up getting real recognition. It was elating, maybe that’s why I’ve always cared so much about spotting the One to Watch brands – I know what it means.

Anyway – who doesn’t love an award? Come on!

Katie
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