Always a delight to visit, CPH Kids this season had some interesting new labels, I featured a couple here and here and I have one more to showcase later but as always the established names here have a great array of talent and many of the strongest current trends in kids fashion are coming from the Scandinavian designers represented here showing their summer 2012 collections.

The open layout and space between exhibitors gives the fair a relaxed feel and more room to showcase their designs with some choosing giant posters that worked extremely well to catch the eye. With an area dedicated to a charity stall with items donated from Exhibitors and a Yoga workout for kids there is a little extra for visitors too.

Most of the trends we have come across before, fine drawn prints, metallic details, crystal embellishment and textural denim but there is also a new simplicity afoot and prints here are turning away from the floral and towards the artistic retro palette. Some of the younger designers are embracing retro and vintage looks to a much higher extent than the established labels with the 40’s and 50’s now popular.

Shoulder details abound with frills, tabs, studs and ruffles for decoration. There was not much here for boys, the few stands such as Molo and The Brand with strong boys collections used an Americana retro feel to many items, denim and checked shirts still hold sway with baseball jackets and retro graphic hoodies in bold colourways a popular choice.

Wide open entrance space at CPH Kids Copenhagen based at the old Carlsberg brewery

Wide open entrance space at CPH Kids Copenhagen based at the old Carlsberg brewery

The Brand for summer 2012, funky shoulders and US retro styling

The Brand for summer 2012, funky shoulders and US retro styling

One of the new brands showing for summer 2012 kidswear Modeerska Huset

One of the new brands showing for summer 2012 kidswear, Modeerska Huset

Delicate flamingo embroidery from Soft Gallery for children's fashion summer 2012

Delicate flamingo embroidery from Soft Gallery for children's fashion summer 2012

Super cute bunny ears and bow tie from Bang Bang Copenhagen for kidswear summer 2012

Super cute bunny ears and bow tie from Bang Bang Copenhagen for kidswear summer 2012

Loving these sequin sparkle tutus from Christina Rohde for girlswear summer 2012

Loving these sequin sparkle tutus from Christina Rohde for girlswear summer 2012

Fabulous metallic shoulders from Petit by Sophie Schnoor for kidswear summer 2012

Fabulous metallic shoulders from Petit by Sophie Schnoor for knitwear summer 2012

Great simple boys jacket from Piecemeal for summer 2012

Great simple boys jacket from Piecemeal for summer 2012 - pure simplicity

Wonderful Rock'n'Roll dress from Rockafella for children's trends summer 2012

Wonderful Rock'n'Roll dress from Rockefella - 50's vintage looks

Tropical inspiration from How to Kiss a Frog for children's fashion summer 2011

Tropical inspiration from How to Kiss a Frog

Fun display from Scandinavian print specialists Smafolk for summer 2012

Fun display from Scandinavian print specialists Smafolk

A good selection of hues and washes from I Dig Denim for children's trends summer 2012

A good selection of hues and washes from I Dig Denim

Fine line drawn T-shirts and classic checks from Molo at CPH Kids for summer 2012

Fine line drawn T-shirts and classic checks from Molo at CPH Kids for summer 2012

Just loved this tableaux at The Carlsberg museum of past owners and workers.

Just loved this tableaux at The Carlsberg museum of past owners and workers.

All photos by Smudgetikka – all rights reserved

All posts copyright to Smudgetikka – permission must be asked for reproduction Nov 2009-2011

What a brilliant trade fair CPH kids in Copenhagen is, loads of room, great soundproofing as it is sited in an old Calsberg bottling factory and you can actually have a normal volume conversation without background bustle noise and an awful lot of thought put into the layout and extra activities surrounding the exhibitors.

It is only the second edition of the fair but already has 110 strong exhibitors and some innovative presentation ideas.

One quick trend I spotted was the huge amount of animal and bird prints, logo’s and embroideries to be seen. The ever popular owls appeared as embroidery on T-shirts and sweatshirts and as great patchwork cushions decorating corners of the fair. Also what we now think of as the classic Scandinavian prints often feature animal block silhouettes on contrast backgrounds and many t-shirts feature silhouette or drawn versions of naive animal faces.

Naive cat print for kidswear by Mini Rodini at CPH kids for spring 2011

Mini Rodini magic cat print

Children's fashion by Molo at CPH Kids trade fair for spring 2011

Molo animal print dress

Children's fashion from Ubang at CPH kids for spring 2011

Animal naive applique from Ubang

Owl cushions by Ani-mal at CPH Kids for spring 2011

Patchwork Owl cushions in a variety of colours by Ani-mal were scattered around the fair

Soft Gallery embroidery is on both pillows and clothing at CPH Kids fair

Soft Gallery animal embroideries are used for pillows and clothing

Childrens fashion for summer 2011 at CPH Kids by H.J.O.R.T.H

Classic style Scandinavian prints from H.J.O.R.T.H Copenhagen

Mini Rodini photo from Mini Rodini, all other photos by Smudgetikka – all rights reserved

There was so much here to show but today I will point out some of the quirkier styles and bold colour options.

The Molly Meg chairs at the main entrance to Bubble always have me envious and although there isn’t much in the way of accessories and interior bits at the fair I think it would be a good place to try and develop this further.

There seemed a good response to the ethical brands at the fair too, both Green Baby and Frugi had very busy stands, both well decorated too but far too busy to photograph anything. I will do an ethical post later in the year.

Vintage chairs from Molly Meg at Bubble London June 2010

Molly Meg vintage chair display at entrance

Kids fashion by dandy Star at Bubble London for summer 2011

Cool signage for Dandy Star's retro style T-shirts and Sweat

Children's petticoatsat Bubble London by Sulk for spring 2011

Loads of vibrant ruffled petticoats this season, these are by Sulk

Vintage inspired bag and hat for kids from Rachel Riley for spring 2011

Just loving this retro bucket bag and hat from Rachel Riley

Children's toy animal Hoppers at Bubble London June 2010

Happy Hopperz rubberised animals for bouncing, the reindeer is the Xmas special

Kidswear at Bubble London by Molo for sumemr 2011

Neon touches at Molo

Children's hat and boots at Bubble London by Marithe and Francoise Girbaud for summer 2011

Madness inspired accessories at Marithe and Francois Girbaud

Kid fashion by Three Little Trees at Bubble London for spring 2011

Australian surfwear from Three Little Trees

All photos by Smudgetikka – all rights reserved