Stitch in time

By Kelly Yates
GIRLS dressing like pretty little girls is the theme behind a Narre Warren South fashion designer’s new range of children’s clothing.
Martina McCarthy is set to break into the children’s fashion industry after starting her Martina Lucinda label in 2007, featuring high-end women’s garments.
Her after-five wear creations are stocked in three different boutiques – Cherry Closet in Berwick, Rosemin on Chapel Street, and Deb’s of Sorrento in Sorrento.
Ms McCarthy has an innate understanding of the fashion industry, having modelled since she was 16 years old and then further studying fashion at RMIT University.
The new children’s line of 15 pieces will be available in Berwick’s Billy Lids store in the coming weeks.
Ms McCarthy said she discovered a passion for girls’ clothing after dressing her two-year-old daughter Chillie.
“I love little girls being little girls and not trying to dress older than they are,” she said.
Ms McCarthy’s range includes bright and colourful skirts and dresses, singlet tops with frilly bits and pieces and jackets.
“The clothes focus on letting the children enjoy being young,” she said. “They are practical and comfortable so they won’t want to take them off.”
Ms McCarthy has used stretchy fabrics for the clothing which she describes as being “nice against the skin.”
All of the items are designed and sewn in Narre Warren South.
Ms McCarthy said despite not using the same amount of fabric for the children’s clothes as the women’s line, there was still just as much time and effort put into each piece.
She is hoping to create a boys’ range too, taking inspiration from her four-year-old son Diesel.