Tropel Kids is a children’s wear brand rooted in joyful creativity, ethical craftsmanship and enduring quality. We chat to founder Ana to learn more about how they achieve sustainable products made in the UK, and their journey from studying at UAL to starting their own clothing brand.
Hi Ana! What first attracted you to your craft?
I’ve always loved making things that combine form and function, products that are beautiful but also built for real life. I first studied furniture design at Central Saint Martins, graduating in 2014, and then spent a decade curating and showcasing work from emerging designers (and myself!) at events like Clerkenwell and London Design Week.
How did your approach to design develop over the years?
I believe beauty is also a function, and is something that should be built into the way we live, move, and interact with the world.
Studying furniture design at Central Saint Martins taught me to think critically about form, materials, and purpose. I spent the next ten years working in the design industry, creating and showcasing pieces while also curating exhibitions at major design events like CDW and LDW.
That experience sharpened my design eye and deepened my love for storytelling and bold, unapologetic aesthetics. I’ve always been drawn to statement pieces and designs that are functional, but with real presence. That boldness now runs through everything I create at Tropel.
What was the catalyst for starting your own business?
Lockdown turned my whole world upside down, like it did for so many of us. With the design
world on pause, and two little ones running around at home, I turned to making clothes for them as a creative release.
What started as a personal project quickly turned into a whole new way of
thinking about design; how kids dress, move, play. One day, a stranger complimented me for allowing my kids out in fancy dress (they weren’t — they were just wearing Tropel and some head pieces), and something clicked: why shouldn’t kidswear feel exciting every day? That playful question planted the seed, and in 2024, Tropel Kids was born.
Lollipop Children’s Dress
The Lollipop children’s dress is your new all-season go-to; light and breezy for warm days and easy to layer for the colder seasons.
What is your favourite aspect of working for yourself?
Creative freedom, hands down. I get to shape every part of the process, from sketch to final
garment, ensuring it all aligns with my values. After years of working in the design world
and curating others’ work, it’s incredibly rewarding to build something of my own that blends
ethics, creativity, and joy.
What part of the making process do you enjoy the most?
I love the design development stage, especially the moment when a rough idea becomes a wearable reality. I approach kidswear a bit like furniture; I think about structure, how it moves, how it holds shape. But then I balance that with softness, colour, and wearability.
Watching a piece come together, especially when it’s road-tested by my own kids, is still the most satisfying part.
Moonrise Children’s Jacket
The Moonrise children’s jacket is a bold, cheerful jacket. Made from 100% cotton for breathable comfort.
Does your product have an environmental focus or social impact?
Sustainability is one of our core values. We use 100% cotton, much of it milled in the
UK and we produce everything in small batches through a local, family-run team. That means fewer air miles, less waste and a much lower impact. The clothes are designed to last, to be passed down, repaired, or re-loved. This supports a more circular, conscious approach to kidswear.
By working exclusively with a UK-based, family-run team of women makers, we are supporting local jobs and craftsmanship. We’re also helping shift the conversation around kidswear away from fast fashion and toward something more ethical, expressive, and sustainable. Every garment we make supports a slower, more intentional way of dressing kids which has a ripple effect.
What is the USP (unique selling point) for your products?
Tropel blends sculptural design with everyday practicality. Our clothes are bold, joyful, and
designed for movement. They are made with care from high-quality, natural materials, and produced ethically in the UK. They’re made to last, to be played in and to make even an ordinary Tuesday feel a bit extraordinary.
Where does inspiration for your designs come from?
Inspiration comes from all over. My background in furniture design definitely plays a big role,
especially with the shapes and structure of the garments. I also pull from art, architecture, and even the way my kids throw together their outfits with complete confidence. There’s so much freedom in how children express themselves, and I try to capture a bit of that magic in each piece.
Where does inspiration for your designs come from?
Inspiration comes from all over. My background in furniture design definitely plays a big role,
especially with the shapes and structure of the garments. I also pull from art, architecture, and even the way my kids throw together their outfits with complete confidence. There’s so much freedom in how children express themselves, and I try to capture a bit of that magic in each piece.
Rainy Children’s Jumper
The Rainy children’s jumper is crafted from heavy weight cotton jersey with a fleecy interior, making it a cosy and playful choice.
What has your journey been since leaving UAL and setting up your business?
After graduating from CSM in 2014, I spent a decade designing furniture and curating design
exhibitions, championing new talent at events like Clerkenwell and London Design Week.
I loved being part of that world, but lockdown changed everything. With the industry on pause and two young kids at home, I started sewing as a creative outlet and fell head first into kidswear. Setting up Tropel Kids has given me the freedom and flexibility to build a creative life that works around my family, whilst allowing me to design, grow a business and still be present for the everyday.
Tropel Kids is part of not just a shop‘s selected new designers and makers for 2025.
Each year, not just a shop holds an Open Call for new products from UAL students and alumni. All products and makers are selected by a panel from various disciplines and backgrounds.
This year, 13 new makers were chosen as our new cohort, making it one of our most successful years yet. Our range of practical yet stylish homeware, jewellery and accessories are sure to excite and enhance your everyday style and experience.
Learn more about this years selection of new makers and products.