Play is Work is a brand of children’s clothing by designer Kaija Vogel. Her experience as a mother has led her to appreciate the joy and commitment that goes into children’s play, and design an essential and practical collection to dress little ones for their primary occupation. Play is Work is the definitive clothing to be worn by boys and girls aged 6 months to 6 years for the serious work that
is play. Made from vegetable tanned leather it is comfortable, hardwearing and easy to maintain – it makes dressing simple and carefree, so children can get down to the business of crawling, running, riding and scooting. Designed to function as a second skin, it encourages unrestricted activity and mobility while providing protection. Play is Work’s first collection is based on leather overalls that Kaija’s architect mother made for her in Finland when she was 2 years old. Tried, tested and loved by Kaija and her own children, these pieces are the proof-of-concept that inspired her to develop a toddler to child collection that places equal importance on form, and function – modern design and natural materials. Following “less is more” design principles, the clothing is uncomplicated, functional and timeless. Less fuss means more use, more flexibility and more time to focus on doing and being – play! The collection is made from traditionally tanned Italian leather and manufactured by artisans in London. The clothing shields toddlers and children from scrapes and bruises as they take their first steps, leaps and glides while keeping them warm and dry. The leather’s natural irregularities and variations add to the ‘no fuss’ quality of the clothing, allowing for hard wear and easy machine-washing at home.
“I want children to be free to do their own thing. By dressing them in comfortable clothing that’s engineered for freedom and resilience, we’re letting them get on with what they do best: experiencing the world in play.”
Leather has memory; leather tells stories. Inspired by traditional leather work wear, Play is Work pieces are heirlooms, to be passed from one sibling to the next just like Kaija’s overalls from the seventies…hard at play.
