In a market saturated with fast fashion and fleeting nursery trends, Marmalade offers something rarer. Depth. Story. Permanence.
Conceived by Aucklander Lara Springhall after her frustration at not being able to source children’s pieces that felt genuinely creative and beautifully considered, Marmalade is a deliberate departure from the disposable. Everything she encountered felt either excessively cute or devoid of imagination. So she created a destination that prioritises craftsmanship and longevity over novelty.
Marmalade curates handcrafted homeware and children’s design that feels collected rather than consumed. Each piece is made by skilled artisans around the world. Nothing is mass-produced. Every object carries the imprint of its maker and the intention behind it.
Among the most poignant offerings are the personalised cushions by Big Little Store in collaboration with Julie Baby Punch Club. Founded during lockdown in Pretoria by Andel Olivier, each cushion is individually hand-punched and customised with a child’s name. Not printed. Not machine-embroidered. Crafted slowly and intentionally. As demand grew, Olivier brought women from her community into the Punch Club, creating employment that has funded education, housing and independence. The beauty of the cushions is inseparable from the impact behind them.
Another cornerstone label is House of Roro, founded by Belgian interior designer Anne Sophie Rosseel. Frustrated by juvenile design that underestimated children, she began creating furniture that invites interaction and independence. Named after her son’s teddy bear, the collection balances playfulness with restraint, producing pieces designed to evolve rather than be replaced.
This is Marmalade’s ethos. Craft over convenience. Story over spectacle. Design that respects childhood while honouring the home it inhabits.
