Mini Fashion

Celebrating the 40th anniversary of the Paris fashion house launched by Japanese designer Kenzo Takada in 1970, Kenzo has produced a limited edition capsule collection for 2-to-12-year-olds this fall. Kenzo Kids, featuring ten items inspired by key pieces from past adult collections, goes on sale in Kenzo boutiques this month. British designer Paul Smith’s first childrenswear line (sized from newborns to 14 years) revolves around a punchy color palette and features floral shirts and pinstripe jackets for boys and cute woolen pea coats and tweed shorts for girls.

Kenzo, 27 blvd de la Madeleine, Paris 8th, 01.42.61.04.14. website

Paul Smith, 3 rue du Faubourg St Honoré, Paris 8th, 01.42.68.27.10. website

Perennial French kids’ favorite Petit Bateau’s stylish and colorful collection for fall includes corduroy trousers, striped hoodie sweatshirts and the brand’s cult sailor tops in an array of vibrant hues including scarlet and a striking new emerald green. There’s good news for fashionable moms, too: Petit Bateau’s classic yellow raincoat for kids has inspired a stylish hold-all bag for adults emblazoned with the famous little-boat logo.

Petit Bateau, 36 rue de Sévigné, Paris 4th, 01.48.87.27.10, and many other locations. website

View Autumn in Paris: Mini Fashion in a larger map

Originally published in the October 2010 issue of France Today

For more of the best French boutiques and shopping, see here.