Meet Wolfechild

The arrival of Spring often offers a gentle reminder that Summer (and the hot hot sun) is just around the corner. Summer, a perfect opportunity to toss aside those wintery essentials like warm coats, heavy boots and woolly mittens to make room in your bebe birds closet for the fun stuff like light weight frocks, cozy bloomers, colorful swimsuits and Wolfechild!  Yes, Wolfechild, a beautiful collection of handmade children's clothing created by designer Claire Wolfe Boockmeier in her Brooklyn design studio.

"I try to make clothing that speaks to the sense of wonder and play that's inherent in children"- Claire Wolfe Bockmeier

We had the opportunity to touch base with Claire & learn more about her whimsical children's wear collection: 

Bebe Birds: We are so excited to learn more about Wolfechild.  When did you first begin designing  children's wear ?

Wolfechild (WC):  I was studying fashion design at Brooklyn's Pratt Institute.  I think, it was sophmore year that we were all asked to design a children's wear collection.  That night as I was sketching some Scandinavian inspired kinits I called my mom and told her I knew that's what I was going to do! It made a lot of sense to me and that was the moment design really started to excite me.  When I finished school what I saw happening in the industry around me didn't reflect my experiences as a child and I felt it lacked a level of consciousness both socially and aesthetically so I set out to create a line of simple sustainable clothing that nurtures children's exploration of the world around them.

BB : How would you describe the world of Wolfechild?

WC:  Wolfechild is in a state of constant evolution as I mature as an artist. I try to make clothing that speaks to the sense of wonder and play that's inherent in children.

BB : Can you share your inspiration for this seasons collection?  

WC:   Because the line is so small I don't necessarily have to work within the boundaries of a seasonal collection which allows each piece to have it's own identity within the larger context of the line.  Small details of my daily life provide me inspiration: a peculiar looking rock, the dusty fabric on an abandoned couch or a song playing in the aisles of my grocery store.  I am constantly propelled by the physical world. I just try to use that energy to create things.

BB:  What has been the most memorable moment since creating Wolfechild?

WC :  Last May I moved into my first studio space. Up until that point I had been working out of my bedroom and had grown accustomed to waking up tangled in thread or accidentally dying the bathroom sink blue.  When I found a space in the Brooklyn Navy Yards I was ecstatic, I'd spend my days sewing and making patterns and in the evening I'd sneak around exploring the disintegration old mansions and skeletal buildings.  I wokred for weeks on pure frenetic energy and nobody cared if the sinks was blue.

Wolfechild's Brooklyn design studio

BB:  Any advice for young designers wanting to create their own line?

WC:  Work hard and keep your eyes open.  As for the rest, I'm still learning...

BB:  Where can we find Wolfechild clothing? 

WC:  I just launched my online store Wolfechild.  Also, there are select pieces available at Lulu's for Baby on 5th Avenue in Park Slope and I will be working with a few new stores in the fall.

BB:  What are Wolfechild's future plans? 

WC:  To wake up every day and make something beautiful.

To get your hands on Wolfechild and check out the entire collection at www.wolfechild.net.