That’s me in the photo, probably thinking about how to create the most sustainable, most accessible, most fun kids products possible—all made in Europe. I started Salut Kidswear in 2018 as a side project to my everyday job as a multidisciplinary designer. And it’s still just me designing, consulting with producers and suppliers, answering customer questions, doing admin and shipping orders. Born and bred in Switzerland, I work collaboratively to take advantage of the high-quality materials and skilled manufacturers here, building a product-creation chain that is supremely local. My commitment to sustainability motivates me to respect the planet while creating great-looking, long-lasting pieces that are perfect for playtime, naptime and everything in between. From choosing materials and finding colors to getting customer feedback, designing products gives me huge joy. It’s super satisfying to watch my designs come to life, but nothing thrills me more than kids really wanting to wear items from Salut Kidswear—and grown-ups secretly wishing they could borrow them! If you're looking for tips on how to start your own business, read my blog post where I share everything that I've learnt so far.

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My strategy for Salut Kidswear is to be as locally-minded as possible, throughout the whole process from selecting thread to opting for eco-friendly shipping solutions. I look at the raw materials and production facilities available in Switzerland (or nearby countries when necessary) and then design products to best use these local resources and know-how. Knowing Nina, Urs, Marjana, Jürg, Murat, Annina and all the people who make the products personally makes a big difference to production and quality. I get to design based on the wealth of talent and materials Switzerland has to offer and kids get durable, responsibly-made clothing and accessories. This responsive approach means that Salut Kidswear has a more fluid production schedule than conventional or fast fashion collections. My aim is to have a few single product launches every year—all based on what’s available in the region and all contributing to local economies. Read more about Salut Kidswear's new concept of producing everything in Switzerland.

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Part of my mission with Salut Kidswear is to increase awareness of the environmental costs of the garment industry among parents and children. Kids get to be part of the slow fashion movement early on and everyone wins with comfortable, stylish kidswear that’s both nice to wear and nice to the planet. By sourcing local materials and working with local producers, Salut Kidswear minimizes our environmental impact and the durable, non-gender-specific pieces are a joy to pass along to younger siblings or friends. I ensure the following certificates: GOTS (Global Organic Textile Standard) OCS (Organic Cotton Standard) SMETA (Enabling Responsible Supply Chains) ISO 9001 (Quality Management System including facilities, people, training, services, equipment)