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Natalija Lara 11/15/24 Natalija Lara 11/15/24

CHILDREN'S FASHION STYLIST

YES, IT’S A REAL CAREER & IT MIGHT JUST BE THE MOST FUN JOB EVER!

I discovered my love for styling children during my very first photoshoot as Creative Director for my then online boutique Child Collective. Everything from curating a theme for the collection, shopping for props, booking the photographer/venue/models/hair/makeup through to styling the outfits and accessories on some of the cutest little people that you are likely to see!

Although I have spent many years styling and dressing women in retail as well as one-on-one personal consulting, working with children has brought me the greatest career satisfaction. There is something unique but exciting about dressing a child in over the top trendy outfits using the most glamorous fabrics like tulle, colourful faux fur and overalls just as an example. Almost nothing is off limits as only babies and kids can get away with wearing such outfits and being accessorised from head to toe looking adorable beyond belief. We have all at one time or another said “I wish that comes in my size” haha.

Key Stylist - When it comes to being a Key Stylist on photoshoots for magazines and online ecommerce stores, I just can’t go past those gorgeous big smiles and cheeky grins they give you when you bribe them with a sweet-treat to stand still and give you their biggest pearly white smile….yes bribery goes on behind the scenes from both parents and stylist alike. I am always armed with an arsenal of yummy sweets and nursery rhymes up my sleeve. Also kids have blunt, funny and imaginative personalities that usually have me in stitches. I guess you could say I really appreciate their honestly as I see myself in them most of the time. Weirdly enough, pulling clothing for shoots and wiping runny noses is up there equally as my favourite job description of being a children’s stylist as you can’t do one without the other really.

Personal stylist - Since having children and styling them for various product photoshoots and of course for our everyday outings, I have taken a genuine liking to personal styling in particular. I am so lucky to have little “mini me’s” to dress-up and share my passion for eccentric clothing and loud accessories. We spend hours playing, laughing and imitating movie and cartoon characters which I have found encourages them to build on their imagination while building self confidence in the form of personal style and positive body image-whacky play time dress-ups and lounge room performances go hand in hand in our house :).

My kids Kasija, Maksim and now Alisija, along with my other pint sized clients have taught me so much about what challenges parents face when it comes to shopping for their baby/toddler or even older children with setting up their wardrobe/closets as it comes in at a distant second. Let’s face it it’s no easy task to coordinate an aesthetically pleasing, neat and space saving wardrobe which includes all their basic, key pieces, shoes and accessories they will need for that season.

Kasija and Sascha rocking their sprinkle milk shakes and red velvet cupcakes.

We wear 20% of our wardrobe 80% of the time - so that’s true for kids too. A Children’s fashion stylist can save you a lot of angst while saving you money in the long run especially as children grow so quickly. My advice to styling children wardrobes focuses on saving “mum and dad” an enormous amount of time and money by having a small collection of “must-have” clothing and accessories basics which covers every outing….a “capsule” wardrobe if you wish. I also focus on helping parents arrange their child’s wardrobe/room so that as their child grows they learn to dress themselves earlier and easier - a time saving (and sometimes lifesaving) tip to help us stay sane as we add siblings and extra responsibilities to the mix.

This is one of the main reasons I have recently launched my own baby shoes and accessories brand La Vera Kids. In keeping true to my values and beliefs I take great inspiration from one of my fave bloggers turned business women, Amber Fillerup from Barefoot Blonde and Dae Hair, that i admire greatly. Amber said, “The best piece of advice I have been given, is to create a life where you never have to ‘work’ because you enjoy what you do so much.” That is why writing this blog and running La Vera Kids has brought me so much happiness and appreciation to every reader and customer who supports my journey and allows me to do what I love everyday.

Let me help you simplify shopping for your soon to be baby, toddler or older children no matter what age they are regardless of your budget. It’s not where you shop it’s HOW you shop. Is shopping with kids something you struggle with, too? Do any of the above sound familiar? Let me know your thoughts below in the comment box.

Much love,

Natalija Lara xoxo

La Vera Kids Shoes and Accessories - You’re never too young for bling!

Natalija Lara 11/14/24 Natalija Lara 11/14/24

OUR BLOG IS LIVE!

REFLECTIONS 2.O

It’s hard to believe that it’s been 3 years since we returned from our Europe + 6 months + 2 kids + working holiday (7 months actually as i stayed an extra month with the kids to enjoy some of the European summer, while my husband returned back to work in Australia haha but who’s counting?). It’s also hard to believe that I haven’t actually written another blog post and pushed my blog website live until now…MIND BLOWN! But it’s even harder to believe that we added another little human to our family and now I am a mother of three Kasija (9 years), Maksim (5 years) and Alisija (1 year). Well actually I can as i always wanted 3 children and if i’m being completely honest after having Alisija and the calmness and sense of fulfilment she has brought to me I could easily have a fourth…..i know i know…i can hear you screaming…..WHAT???? are you crazy woman!!!

As for my other baby “La Vera Kids” the label, I have been working tirelessly packaging products, shipping orders, expanding the collection, emailing/Whatsapping with international suppliers at all hours of the day/night, sending invoices, liaising with vendors, replying to customers, styling photoshoots, editing images, creating content, posting on social media, updating the website, creating a whole new bloody website AGAIN, administration, attending trade shows where I can and all the while looking after a baby and now two school aged children - the list seriously goes on…..arghh just writing this list alone exhausts me. I guess it’s no wonder why this wearing all hats entrepreneur almost burned out and somewhat found herself a little absent from the business of late and just didn’t have the time to launch my blog, even after such a successful launch in Australia and being represented by a national wholesale agent and stocked in 18 stores. Guilt crept in and I realised that although I was fortunate enough to be able to work from home and care for my children full-time, the craziness that surrounds a startup and the demands it has put on my family from an emotional, time consuming, financially draining perspective…. I needed to reassess. Surely there was a better way to manage and grow the business to begin outsourcing some of the work? Surely!!

Well fast forward a few months and we are one relaxing Bali holiday down, done with the second term of school, demolished a tonne of cakes as per usual and enjoyed more than a few gin and tonics with friends…..I am a new women! This much needed few months off from the business gave me the time to reflect on what it was that i am truly passionate about and helped get in touch with the things that i loved in the past and have forgotten about myself since having children.