We are honored to work with Smocked Polkadot, a children’s apparel clothing brand with a deeper mission: to help families adopt. Read the full profile on founder Ashley Hensley‘s mission and how she established the Seecaas for Hope For Adoption Foundation in Medium here.
Nestled on the border of Oakland and Berkeley in a bustling shopping district, Bird & Bean is an expertly curated children’s shop founded by Janel Andersen. After over a decade in the children’s apparel industry and growing her own successful brand, Nohi Kids, Janel set out to realize her dream of opening her very own brick & mortar.
“I had been looking for the right space and opportunity for years and the stars finally aligned to make this dream come true,” said Janel, a longtime Bay Area resident and mother of two. “After being in the industry for almost 15 years, I knew so many designers/brands that I adored and went well with my own brand aesthetic. Having this knowledge helped me to feel confident that I could curate a special shop. I also started this whole business doing street festivals and other local shopping events and totally loved the interaction with customers and the community. So, this shop is like going back to my street festival roots”
In the summer of 2016, Bird & Bean first opened its doors for Bay Area families and visitors, offering customers a convenient destination to buy high-quality clothing, gifts, and accessories from top brands. In addition to carrying their own collection, Bird & Bean (formerly Nohi Kids), the shop stocks Pink Chicken, Blueberry Hill, Egg, Quincy Mae, Meri Meri, Level, and Wild Wawa, to name a few. Sizing starts at newborn and goes up to size 12, with a retail price range of $20 to $90 for most items.
Named after Janel’s young children Margot and Cohen, nicknamed Bird and Bean, the cozy shop on College Avenue aims to be a one-stop shop for families seeking well-known brands as well as undiscovered independent labels handpicked by an industry veteran. Janel’s goal is to provide impeccable customer service and share her years of baby/kid product expertise with new and longtime customers.
Looking ahead to spring/summer 2020, Bird & Bean’s collection will introduce two brand new styles- lively new prints and a beautiful (but still fun, easy, washable, and wearable) tulle/tutu party dress, already a top seller for wholesale orders.
While many retail shops come and go, Bird & Bean has their roots firmly planted in their community, with in-store events and a focus on fostering relationships. Bird & Bean is located in the heart of the Rockridge and Elmwood shopping districts at 3212 College Avenue, Berkeley, CA. To learn more, please visit www.birdandbeanshop.com.
Stitch & Sparrow is a new and thoughtfully curated women’s fashion boutique that recently opened its doors in Berkeley. After three successful years of owning and running Bird & Bean children’s shop next door, Janel Andersen decided to expand into the women’s apparel market by opening Stitch & Sparrow in August 2019.
“I never thought that I would open a second location, but the space next to us became available unexpectedly,” said Janel, a children’s fashion industry veteran. “I grabbed it up (after some panic and sleepless nights overthinking it). It was another moment of the stars aligning and I couldn’t be more grateful for the opportunity.”
With a diverse clientele ranging from millennials to grandmothers, Stitch & Sparrow carries a mix of styles ranging from Bohemian to casual chic. Popular brands they carry include Neve and Hawk, Emerson Fry, Tysa, and Elk. Retail price points span from $40 to $375.
“I am a 42-year-old very busy mom of two and I really like cute clothes,” said Janel, a longtime Bay Area resident. “I rarely found myself and my style represented in other boutiques, so I am catering to that demographic too. But, we truly have something for everyone and a very wide range of price points. I want the shop to feel accessible to a lot of people.”
In addition to clothing and accessories, Stitch & Sparrow houses a small, clean ingredient-focused apothecary section featuring jade rollers, Native Nectars, and Often Wander candles. For the holidays, Stitch & Sparrow offers free gift wrapping and gift certificates that may be used at either shop. Cashmere sweaters, genuine leather handbags, home goods, and luxe jewelry are perfect for gift-giving, and fresh new international labels will be coming soon.
Much like Bird & Bean next door, Stitch & Sparrow is community-focused and aims to serve local residents and visitors to the Rockridge and Elmwood shopping districts. The shop’s name derives from the first stitch Janel made over 15 years ago at her kitchen table in Oakland that ultimately led to her children’s clothing brand combined with sparrow, a fastidious bird known to symbolize joy, community, and loyalty to family.
Stitch & Sparrow is open seven days a week and is located at 3210 College Avenue in Berkeley, CA. To learn more, please visit www.stitchandsparrow.com.
New client Smocked Polkadot is mentioned in the latest issue of Star Magazine for our recent NYC event, Smocked Polkadot Takes Manhattan! Actress Alyssa Cheatham stopped by the fete celebrating the Southern-inspired label’s pop up at the Market’s at Macy’s Herald Square.
To learn more, visit www.smocked-polkadot.com.
Thank you to everyone who supported our successful New York City event for client Smocked Polkadot! Read all about the fete on Earnshaws.com – here’s a sneak preview:
Celebrating its debut at The Market at Macys this month, Southern-inspired label Smocked Polkadot partnered with Earnshaw’s and Magnolia PR to host a launch party at Coco J’Adore in downtown Manhattan. The chic French restaurant, brimming with Insta-worthy decor, welcomed a V.I.P. list of elite moms, bloggers and retailers—along with their kids—for a selection of yummy treats, grown-up drinks, beauty stations, dress-up, photo ops and a peek at Smocked Polkadot’s Winter ’19 collection (available now at Macy’s) and its Spring ’20 collection (available for retailers to order nationwide).
“The event went above and beyond my expectations,” says Ashley Hensley, founder and designer of Smocked Polkadot. “To be able to host our first event in New York was an amazing experience that allowed me to connect with so many wonderful moms, bloggers and local retailers.”
The party was attended by actress Alyssa Cheatham (played Will Smith’s daughter in the film Collateral Beauty and currently in three Netflix movies), Instagram influencers @LullabiesandLouboutins, @NYTrendyMoms, @DowntownChicMoms, @Mom_Uptown, @TheVeryBestBabyStuff, @StrollerIntheCity, model Aria De Chicchis and stylist Bonnie Aunchman, among several others.
The August issue of Earnshaw’s Magazine focuses on swimwear and features a full page of editorial press for Pearl Street Swim! Known for their New England summer-inspired designs, the sailboat print two-piece set is featured in a cool underwater shot.
To learn more about Pearl Street Swim, visit www.pearlstreetswim.com – they are popping up at several East Coast shops this summer from Nantucket to Montauk.
To view the entire issue of Earnshaw’s, go here.