I love to dress up my kids ! Do you ?
That’s why I’m always on the lookout for new exciting brands with passionate visionary designers who really make kids’ clothes with a difference.
I’ve already mentioned Mini Rodini a few times in the past. It is one of my all time favourite designers for kids 0-11 years old, Swedish born and founded in 2006 by illustrator Cassandra Rhodin.
Recently I had an amazing opportunity to catch up with the woman herself, hope you enjoy my interview!
Anastasia is wearing her Mini Rodini Panda Jacket and George is wearing Panda Windbreaker
Here at “Stylensnitch” we love the “Trans-Siberian railway” collection. I guess it gives inspiration to many especially during the difficult times today when travel is very much restricted. What was your inspiration and thoughts behind it?
I designed the collection before the Pandemic changed everything. I was inspired by the iconic Trans-Siberian railway and the old ways of travelling. There is something so romantic and timeless about the Trans-Siberian railway and its legendary link between the West and the East and all the cultures along the way. We have just launched Pre AW21 “On The Seven Seas” Collection, you should check it out!
Is it true ‘Mini’ Rodini’ was named after your great grandfather who was in the circus?
Yes, my great grandfather called himself Rodini when he was a young man travelling with the circus. He performed with gypsies in the late 1890s before he started his own circus. I worked as a fashion illustrator for a long time before my first born. And when I launched my own kidswear brand I named it Mini Rodini.
How do you combine motherhood and being a business woman? A lot of women have struggled recently trying to juggle it all, especially with homeschooling and being “jack of all trades”. Do you have any advice?
Time is never enough. So my best advice is to skip the boring parts, clean less and don’t try to be perfect. I have always worked, but I have never compromised being with my kids. I do a lot of it from home or when they sleep in order to have time to be with them. I don’t spend a lot of time cleaning or making food. My husband and my eldest son do all the cooking. I’m lucky both are amazing cooks and I eventually got over my frustration with the messy house!
You have just opened the first store in London in 2019, just before the first lockdown. Are you still going to go ahead with it? Or do you think the online business is a better option for international markets, especially these days?
We are still going ahead with it, even though online sales is a much more efficient option right now. With the recent lockdowns ofcourse our London store was a little “wounded, but not broken” and we are very happy to welcome shoppers back! I really hope physical retail survives and comes back in the same way it was before. Imagine how boring cities would be without it!
Cassandra Rhodin, CEO & Founder of Mini Rodini
