The news of Pale Cloud closing down was a really sad announcement received this morning. It is after half a decade with creating beautiful girls clothing that the the children’s luxury brand has with heavy heart decided that its collection for Autumn Winter 2015 will be the last.
Marion Reynolds has since it’s beginning been filling the role of both Creative Director and Founder, transfering her deep passion for luxury style and elegance. Marion grew up in Norway before studying at the French Design University were she went on to win the first prize award for her final catwalk project.
After working in fashion houses in Scandinavia and Asia, she decided to dedicate her talent to childrenswear. Pale Cloud was founded in 2010 together with her husband Ian Reynolds. The brand was highly inspired by their daughter Freya who was born a year earlier. The first collection was launched in Autumn Winter 2011 which received a warm welcome and the brand was of to a flying start.
This is a photo from the first collection, launched to buyers and press at Bubble London and at Pitti Bimbo in Italy. We spotted the brand in London and it was the feminine design and attention to details combined with amazing fabrics that immediately caught our attention.
On a personal note, Marion was in London herself to present her first collection – and we immediately fell in love with not only her collection and her unique talent as a designer but her brilliant personality and kindness.
This photo is from Bubble London January 2012; from left Aileen McDonald (buyer), Marion Reynolds (Pale Cloud) and Bianca Wessel (me!)
Pale Cloud continued to the deliver, one gorgeous collection after the other. Marion was always a step ahead of trends, both in terms of materials, colours and cut. But in the financial climate we are in, any business would find it hard to survive. After five years in a challenging and extremely competitive market Pale Cloud have decided to close down.
The design from Pale Cloud always had a bit of ‘girl power’ combined with elegance about it. It represented timeless design with a delightful contemporary twist for confident young girls.
This magnificent collection is the Pale Cloud Autumn Winter 2013, which introduced laser cut leather for childrenswear. Today this is a huge trend – but Pale Cloud was one of the first to embrace the technique and use it in their designs.
This is the letter we received this morning;
Dear Bianca.
It is with deep regret and profound sadness that we announce Autumn Winter 2015 to be the last season of Pale Cloud.
Pale Cloud was created in 2010 to produce high fashion for girls, using luxurious materials combined with detailed and intense hand production.
The designs of our founder and Creative Director, Marion Reynolds, achieved outstanding critical acclaim; winning design awards, being stocked in the worlds most prestigious department stores and gracing the covers of the industries top publications from the early seasons. The list of celebrities and royals, who choose to dress their daughters in Pale Cloud, is extensive.
The cost to produce garments that create these wonderful reactions are at high fashion levels and it is this that has been a constant barrier to our growth in volume. While everyone loves what we produce, unfortunately, too many expect to pay high street prices.
Rather than compromise our core values, we have decided to cease production.
It has been an incredible five years and we would like to thank all of the wonderful and supportive people we have met, many of whom are now lasting personal friends; without Pale Cloud, we would have never known them.
Our founders, Marion and Ian Reynolds are now reflecting on their future.
For us Pale Cloud will live on and be our favourite brand for years to come, as the timeless and beautiful pieces we have enjoyed have carefully been stored for future generations.
The final collection, Pale Cloud Autumn Winter 2015 is available from childsplayclothing.co.uk and pale-cloud.com
How hard for them after all that effort. But at the end of the day, at their price point it is very difficult to compete against more established designer brands that cost the same. And whether we like it or not, the people prepared to spend that kind of money want a brand that is known and is more of a trophy brand like Gucci, Burberry, Dolce etc. Sorry for my lengthy war and peace comment xx