Babesta Beat S/S18

K

Chief RAFT OFFICER

ID MADE MODERN is Todd Oldham’s latest project, bringing delightful crafting to kids, from colorful sun catchers to gem shaped crayons. The array of arts and crafts accoutrements are a vivid burst of creative fun. We got a chance to chat with the fashion designer & DIY king (and neighbor!) about the company, his inspirations and some of his favorite things in springtime in the city. How did your journey from fashion to Kid Made Modern occur? With all that I do, there is a handmade element to it, so the medium shift from fashion to crafts and now back to fashion again with the debut of our KMM clothing collection, has been a fun and easy one. Why the children’s market? What’s your inspiration? My parents spent colossal amounts of time and effort teaching my siblings and I everything they knew, and what they didn’t know we learned together. Kids are brilliant and worth the effort to inspire them through exposure. My inspirations are endless and ever-changing. I find a way of seeing is more fruitful than a what of seeing. What’s the importance of DIY, especially now with all of the technology-based activities? Our goal is to inspire kids to hold digital and analog experiences equally. The digital world is fascinating and woefully deficient while analog experiences fit our bodies more fully. The most interesting outcomes bloom from blending the two. What was your favorite craft as a kid? I loved it all! And still do today. Anytime you get to see an idea come to life—that is a thrill. Tell us three things we didn’t know about you! I love to garden, I was an excellent gymnast as a kid and the clothing hung in my closet is arranged by color! Any favorite springtime things to do in NYC? How about in downtown Manhattan? Just being on the street when the flowers are starting to peek out is fantastic. It’s fun to take water taxis from downtown. And the tomato ice cream at Takahachi bakery!

Fashion designer and DIY doyen, Todd Oldham dishes about inspiration, downtown to-dos, and his crafting company Kid Made Modern

Check out the Babesta blog for an exclusive craft for spring by Todd & his team! babesta.com/blog.

Kid Made Modern faux fur coat.

Wooden robot kit , 30796, $42.

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babesta beat spring/summer 2018