4 Mins Read
With the advent of knowledge surrounding the importance of buying organic (from organic nutrition, to organic beauty, and organic cotton – remember when we told you that conventional cotton is one of the world’s dirtiest crops?!), it comes as no surprise that our city is seeing a rise in organic baby wear brands for our pint-sized powerhouses. Different from adults, baby skin is extremely sensitive and far more vulnerable to toxins and chemicals. As newborns spend about 16 to 20 hours sleeping in their first year of life, it is crucial to bundle them in safe, breathable fabrics. Ergo, we’ve compiled a list of Hong Kong’s best organic baby wear e-shops to thread your tiny tykes. For those of you sans child, these make for great baby gifts for your expecting friends.
Penguin Organics
Penguin Organics offers premium baby clothes sourced from certified GOTS organic cotton in Turkey and fair trade label manufacturers. Stocking a collection of organic cotton kimono rompers, all-in-one playsuits, blankets, bibs, bonnets and sleepwear, their rompers include contrasting striped cuffs at the bottom for the ability to cover little feet when babies are small and unfold as they grow to keep longer. Inspired by the town of Penguin on the north-west coast of Tasmania, Australia, founder Yasemin Akcakaya left the corporate world where she spent twenty years as a marketing director to pursue her lifelong dream as a clothing designer. Yasemin has the background chops too: she grew up in Turkey where her parents owned an organically certified clothing factory. We love their fun prints focused on raising awareness about endangered species and nature-related themes.
Edit 2019: Penguin Organics has ceased operations.
Cigogne BéBé
The French word for stork, Cigogne (pronounced sih gohnh) is also a well-known bird in Asian culture. This adorable Wan Chai shop is serious about making comfortable, eco-friendly and stylish baby clothes. Using organic, naturally colored cotton sourced from the US, Australia, Turkey and China, all their fabric dyes are gentle on the skin. In addition, their resin buttons (made from plants!) are recyclable, their clothing are all flat-stitched (a sewing technique that pieces fabric together exactly at the seam to avoid bunching, which reduces chafing against the skin), and packaging is made out of recycled paper. With fun patterns and prints (and awesome onesies), they also include matching family sets for bébé, mom and dad. For locals, there is free delivery for any online purchase above HKD 300, hoorah!
Malabar Baby
Malabar Baby was born when new mother Anjali Harjani-Hardasani was struggling to find quality infant products with a beautiful design aesthetic at an affordable price point. Offering natural cotton and organic muslin baby bedding and accessories, the e-site features artfully designed nursery crib sheets, pillows, quilts, swaddles, snuggle blankets, and play mats, most of which are certified GOTS (a popular global organic cotton ecolabel). Using only the highest quality fibers and hypoallergenic cotton or polyester fillers, all of their products are made using original, traditional block printed and hand-screened & hand stitched designs by artisans in India and China. Shop their online store and opt for free delivery after spending a nominal amount.
Charmssoul
Using only organic cotton fabrics and low-impact color dyes, online e-shop Charmssoul works with fair trade certified suppliers to bring quality and comfort to one of life’s most precious gifts. Designed and manufactured locally in Hong Kong, Charmssoul stocks a selection of infant onesies, toddler tees, and ethnic prints for women. An added bonus: they offer free shipping worldwide!
Edit 2019: Charmssoul has ceased operations.
Natures Purest
One of the earliest certified organic baby wear brands to arrive in Hong Kong, Natures Purest newborn line is known for its simplicity and minimalism. Harvesting naturally pigmented cotton fibers in earth tones like cream, green and brown, the entire manufacturing process of Natures Purest ensures no dyes, bleach, toxic chemicals or pesticides are used from plant to production. With a vast selection of apparel, bedding essentials, toys and accessories, Natures Purest collections can be found at Sogo Department Store in Causeway Bay and New Town Plaza in Shatin. Or, you can shop online.
Images courtesy of Penguin Organics (lead), Malabar Baby and Natures Purest.
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