After seeing a void in the market for kids swimwear, veteran childrenswear brand Bird & Bean successfully launched their first-ever swim collection in spring 2021. This season, founder and designer Janel Andersen returns with a swimwear collection focused on cheerful prints – think tropical prints, rainbows, sun, moon, and stars – combined with practical, comfortable fits for active kids.
Similar to Bird & Bean’s apparel collection full of fun prints (some even carry over into the swim collection) and easy silhouettes, Janel has a keen eye for what kids and parents will buy and love. In addition to running her signature Bird & Bean brand, Janel has two brick & mortar shops in the Bay Area. The first shop she opened in Berkeley, Bird & Bean, focuses on baby and children’s goods, while her second shop, Stitch & Sparrow, caters to women with clothing, accessories, and apothecary goods.
Janel has seen a shift in buying patterns since the start of the pandemic. “New baby gifts, all day everyday. So many new babies. Also, people are shopping for items for travel, fancier tops for work, wedding guest dresses – the world is resuming and people need new wardrobes,” says Janel, a mother of two who launched Bird & Bean (formerly Nohi Kids) in 2009.
With more families eager for travel and adventure this summer, or simply staying closer to home and enjoying local water parks and pools, it was an ideal time to launch the Bird & Bean swim collection. The collection includes one-piece swimsuits, swim trunks, and rash guards in Bird & Bean’s signature playful prints priced at $33 to $38 retail.
Bird & Bean’s baby and kids apparel collection for summer has a similar print-focused vibe as well as solids in sage and lilac hues. The ever-popular tulle party tank dresses, twirl dresses, zip-up rompers, bubbles, sleep sacks, hooded coveralls, and bodysuits range from $28 to $48 retail. Soft pajamas are another new Bird & Bean addition that quickly sell out, including two-piece modal/Spandex blend sets with jungle, moon, and pink bunny prints.
In addition to their brick & mortar locations in Berkeley on College Avenue, both Bird & Bean and Stitch & Sparrow items can be purchased online at www.birdandbeanshop.com.