Nobody knows how to spoil a kid like an Aunty. Grandmas rank high in the spoil stakes too, but Aunties rule.
As an aunty herself, Stephanie Kedwell has combined her fashion background with her insider aunty knowledge and created Cheeky Bambino, Toowoomba’s newest style destination for kids and mums.
This former Brisbane brand now calls Toowoomba home after Stephanie and her fiancé Gav moved here in September, looking for a more relaxed lifestyle. Currently operating out of a cute pop-up shop on Ruthven Street Cheeky Bambino stocks a range of gifts, outfit and accessories for little ones up to age six. They also have a small collection of homewear and women’s wear they’re planning on expanding.
You can expect to find brands in store like Love Mae, Milky, Walnut Melbourne, Minouche, Bella & Lace, Bebe, Fox and Finch, Milkbarn, Cam Cam Copenhagen and Fabelab as well as a number of brands available online such as nursery brand Hobbe.
And the other fun thing you can find in store right now is a 30% off sale! Keep reading to find out more about Cheeky Bambino!
Have you always worked in fashion?
Yes – I’ve been lucky to have worked in all different parts of the industry including public relations and marketing, which I studied at university. I also spent several years overseas working in the industry, predominately in London’s major fashion districts Notting Hill and Shoreditch.
Why children’s fashion?
Whilst I was living in London there were four little ones born in my family back in Brisbane and I loved shopping the boutiques for special outfits to bring home when I visited. It was when I moved back to Brisbane and was looking for a gift for a baby shower that I struggled to find beautiful pieces of a similar quality, and all in one place.
Do you have any Toowoomba exclusives?
Yes, a lot of our brands are exclusive to us in Toowoomba, such as Rylee & Cru, Kip & Co, The Bee and the Fox and so much more. We source our items from all over the world and try to offer our customers something new and different.
How would you describe the Cheeky Bambino style?
The Cheeky Bambino style is something that is constantly changing and evolving but we will always have handpicked items that are lovingly and beautifully crafted.
Stephanie Kedwell
What do you look for when sourcing for Cheeky Bambino?
It is really important to me to support other small business, especially those that take the time to create and manufacture ethically and sustainably, so this is certainly something on the forefront of my mind when sourcing my products.
What item should every well-dressed Bambino have in their wardrobe? I think well-constructed every day ‘run around’ clothes are so important, ones that will last and last and it doesn’t matter how muddy they get! And then of course those items that are less practical but so much fun, like a tutu!
What are your future plans for Cheeky Bambino?
Cheeky Bambino is very young having just celebrated one year – and we have big dreams!
[The Cheeky Bambino website features regular interviews and profiles] Can you tell us more about the profiles on your website?
There are so many wonderful women out there doing incredible things, raising families and creating art or building businesses, I find it so inspiring. I wanted to create a conversation about how these women do it, and to give them a platform to share their stories to inspire and help others.
Where would you take an out-of-town visitor in Toowoomba?
I love the little stores around town so I would definitely take them for a tour of some of the wonderful local businesses Toowoomba has to offer, a walk through Queen’s Park and then finish the day off with a drink at one of our cute little bars!
Check out the pop-up shop at 9/382 Ruthven Street, down the Russell Street end of town. You can follow the cheeky fun on Facebook and Instagram. And the website www.cheekybambino.com has flat rate shipping Australia wide and offers Afterpay.
Photos courtesy of Anna Tomlinson Photography.
