Joseph Altuzzara x West Elm Kids Delivers a Surprisingly Hard-to-Find Accessory
His real-life parenting moments influenced the entire collection.
Published Aug 28, 2023 3:37 PM
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Fashion designer Joseph Altuzarra has officially entered the home decor chat, and in the process he channeled his most important job to date: Dad. Today, the founder and creative director of Altuzarra, a line of luxury women’s ready-to-wear and accessories, debuted a 42-piece capsule collection with West Elm Kids. He calls it a “love letter” to his two daughters, 3 1/2-year-old Emma and 1-year-old Charlotte, but there’s something for everyone to enjoy.
While Altuzarra went into the collaboration with high standards for the fabrics (down to the softness of the velvet), he was also practical about the size and shape of things. A number of the pieces in the collection are meant to be used at kid level, encouraging their independence and sparking their imagination at the same time. Ahead, the designer shares a few recent parenting moments that played into his West Elm Kids collection.
Let Them Set the Mood
When Altuzarra and his husband, Seth Weissman, moved Emma into her new “big kid” room once Charlotte was born, they presented her with a handful of pre-vetted wallpaper options and let her pick the one she liked best. “A child’s room is like a refuge. It’s a place where they feel safe, where they feel free to play and imagine, and I think it should reflect who they are,” he shares. To help parents navigate the same conversation, the designer offered a few distinct themes within the assortment of products. “There’s a stars and moon story, there’s a cloud story, there’s a zodiac story, and it can give you the ability to let your child choose what they’re gravitating toward,” he adds.
Bring Story Time to Their Level
The tilted Foot Book Caddy is there to serve those inevitable moments when bedtime commences with a pile of 15 picture books on the floor—simply scoop them up once you’re done. “I loved the idea of having a mini shelf that you could put next to your chair that feels charming and kid-friendly but also has a practical application,” says Altuzarra.
Help Them Get Used to Their New Routines
The kids’ room item that’s surprisingly hard to find, according to Altuzarra? A child-size full-length mirror that isn’t overwhelmingly massive or cartoony-looking. “I’m trying to give Emma more responsibilities, and one of them is to pick her outfit for the next day,” notes the designer. “Maybe it’s because I’m a fashion designer, but I think it’s really nice for kids to take pride in their appearance.” So he created a mirror that is chic enough to grow with their space over time. Once they’re too tall to see their full self in it, mount it over a dresser.
