Wander & Wonder: Crafting Sustainable Adventures in Kids' Fashion - Exclusive Interview with Founder Hilda Yim

Crafting a Unique Path in Kids' Fashion

with a Heart for Sustainability

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In the vibrant world of fashion, there's always room for something fresh and unique. In 2017, Wander & Wonder emerged as a testament to the boundless passion for travel shared by designer and founder Hilda Yim and her family.

Their journeys around the globe, often with their children in tow, led to a profound realisation: curious minds thrive on adventure and relish the opportunity to explore new cultures through the lens of food, music, art, and the pulse of street life. By embracing the ethos of continuous exploration and the celebration of a new culture every season. This season’s favourite is all about Finland and cosy winter clothing. Can’t wait to discover soon the summer one!

Originally founded in Hong Kong, the owner settled in Portugal after COVID and is now focusing on the European market with production in Portugal. Wander & Wonder is not concerned about trends, they live in the moment and create whatever pulls on their heartstrings. By manufacturing in small batches, they always have sustainability in mind.

For Hilda Yim and her team, fashion isn't just about clothing; it's a canvas for storytelling. It's about celebrating the beauty of the world, one collection at a time. It's about fostering an unquenchable curiosity in children and adults alike, reminding us to "Wander always, wonder often."

In the grand scheme of things, Wander & Wonder is all about the children and their future. Every piece of clothing they create, every collection they design, and every partnership they form is guided by this simple, yet profound, principle. It's a brand that's making its mark by doing things differently, embracing sustainability, and promoting responsible fashion choices.

So, if you're in search of children's clothing that tells a story and makes a difference, Wander & Wonder is a brand that's worth watching.

Interview with Wander & Wonder Founder Hilda

Hello Hilda, thank you for taking time for us today! First of all, we would love to know how you started Wander & Wonder in 2017.
I had another children’s wear brand before but I wanted to create something more creative and represent my vision of a global children’s wear brand. So I created Wander and Wonder.

How many pieces were in your first collection and what was your inspiration for it?
In the first collection, I had about 90 pieces and it was inspired by Africa.

Which collection was your favourite to design? What was the inspiration for it?
My favourite by far was SS20 and it was inspired by France. Take a look at the collection:

Fashion as a canvas for storytelling is a unique perspective. Could you elaborate on how Wander & Wonder integrates storytelling into its clothing designs and what kind of stories you aim to convey through your collections?
As a mom with a fashion design degree, I feel very natural about designing for children. When I started Wander and Wonder I wanted to convey a brand that makes kids curious about other cultures. Our world is so pure and beautiful that I want to explore through each collection. Each country we explore is hand-picked to show its beauty and what makes it interesting. As a family, we have travelled to a lot of places and I wanted to show how much we appreciate each country and culture.

How was it travelling with your kids? What are your tips for travelling with children?
I love traveling with my kids. We are very lucky to have travelled to most parts of Asia, Europe, and the US. I think one thing I always remind my kids when travelling is to keep an open mind to learn about other cultures and try out different kinds of food that country has to offer. Keep being curious and keep learning.

Which culture did you find the most impressive throughout your global journeys?
I think all cultures are unique and interesting. However, if I need to choose, the most impressive for me will be Japan. Especially Kyoto. Their culture is extremely deeply rooted and they are very determined to preserve their history. All the ancient temples and emperor's houses are carefully maintained and every time we visit feels like living in the past. It amazes me how beautiful this city is.

Why did you choose to move to Portugal?
Portugal is a very beautiful and relaxing country. I’ve always wanted to move and live in another part of the world. The opportunity arose when I started moving my production to Portugal and I have been here many times. Now, I’m very happy to have the opportunity to live and work in Porto.

Your brand encourages an "unquenchable curiosity" in both children and adults. How do you aim to foster this curiosity through your clothing, and what are some ways you engage with your customers to inspire a sense of wonder and exploration?
Yes, that's the idea behind our brand. I think it's essential for kids to be curious and learn about different cultures in a down-to-earth way. We put a lot of research into selecting countries for our collections. From that research, we create simple yet cute prints inspired by the beauty and culture of each country, hoping to inspire kids to wear them. Through our practical and comfortable clothes, we aim to encourage moms and kids to explore the world with us.

Have you ever thought about doing a collection for adults?
Certainly, we've received quite a few requests in the past, and we're currently exploring the possibility of creating women's collections.

Which place in the world have you not travelled to but want to and why?
I'd really like to visit Mexico. I'm a fan of the food and arts and crafts there. When I lived in Los Angeles, I was always immersed in Mexican culture. So, I hope to visit one day and experience authentic Mexican culture.

What was the best part of founding Wander and Wonder?
The great thing is, I get to do what I love – designing and running a business. The concept allows me to explore and research various countries, providing ongoing learning experiences. Plus, I enjoy the fact that we sell to different parts of the world, keeping me connected with people from diverse backgrounds. This aspect makes my job fascinating, and I love engaging with and learning about new cultures.

How many places around the world have you travedled to?
I've been to around 25 countries, and my top pick is New York City because my kids adore it, and I lived there for six years, making close friends. New York is truly thrilling, and we're happy with everything from food to art, culture, and shopping.

Thanks a lot for taking the time to answer our questions. We wish you the best in your future endeavours, and we're looking forward to your next collection!

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