Launch Day! Behind the scenes on how we got here!
For our very first blog, I wanted to take you through the journey of Tots in Towelling so far - a brief look at how the idea first took shape, the work that went into bringing it to life, and how we finally reached launch day!
Where It All Started
When I became a mum to my first energetic little boy, I struggled to find children’s clothing that ticked all the boxes: stylish, practical, soft, comfortable, durable, and easy to care for. I wanted outfits that looked cute, kept up with their crawling, climbing, snack-spilling, sofa-snuggling days - and didn’t feel like a battle to get on and off.
I found myself always reaching for simple matching sets and I always loved towelling but really struggled to find the simple pieces I wanted. So overtime the idea for Tots in Towelling started growing quietly in my mind.
I then had my second boy but eventually I decided to try and bring the designs I had in my head to life, so with zero design experience, I made some very questionable sketches and began to see if I could get them made.
The Sustainability Journey
From day one, sustainability sat at the heart of everything. As a mum, I’m constantly thinking about the world we’re leaving behind for our little ones. I knew I wanted to create close to home - not only to reduce our footprint, but also to ensure transparency and quality every step of the way.
After months of research, emails and phone calls. I booked flights to Portugal to meet a few suppliers I thought could be suitable. I hired a car out there, had my meetings lined up and took my lovely mother with me as my travel partner for moral support!!
My mum and I in Portugal searching for the right supplier
Finding the right supplier felt like searching for a needle in a haystack, but somehow, we got incredibly lucky. We visited a few suppliers but one in particular was everything I hoped for: ethical, experienced, and as passionate about quality as I was. I walked out feeling incredibly excited and overwhelmed at the same time – I knew we’d found the one, however I also realised how much information was ‘missing’ and all the extra details I still needed to finalise before we could move ahead.
This is me panicking just after I'd met the supplier I loved, but realising how many details I still had to finalise before we could make the first samples.
Bringing the Vision to Life
Once we were back home, the real work began:
– Confirming fabric blends
– Finalising fits
– Choosing colours (which took A LOT longer than I’d like to admit but I'm SO happy with what we've ended up with!)
– Developing the brand identity (shout out to Sine Studio who were brilliant)
– Building the website
– Perfecting packaging that was minimal, recyclable, and beautiful
At times it felt like a never-ending to-do list, but I just kept trying to take small steps forward to get to my end goal!!
A teeny teeny tiny insight into our colour decisions
A Pause… and a Plot Twist
Not long after our Portugal trip, I discovered I was pregnant with our third baby. So I decided the brand launch would need to be pushed back a year!
However I kept chipping away whenever I could: reviewing samples during nap times, tweaking the website early in the morning or late at night, testing packaging while surrounded by toys. Getting content ready for our social media platforms. It became a slow, steady labour of love.
Trying to keep the dream alive after baby number 3 was born!
The Leap of Faith
There came a point where nearly everything was ready and it was time for one big, scary step: placing the stock order. However I’d worked on this project for so long I told myself that the idea of not doing this just wasn't a possibility anymore!
And Now… We’re Live!!
Seeing this brand finally out in the world after such a long journey feels surreal, exciting, and slightly nerve-wracking.
I can’t wait to build it, nurture it, and watch it grow. I truly believe in the practicality, comfort, and timeless style of these pieces, and I can’t wait to hear your thoughts as you discover them too.
Thank you for being here at the very beginning. It means more than you know.
Here’s to the adventure ahead! 💛