Children have vast imaginations and aren't constrained by what they know about the world. Dressing up let's them explore the world around them while pushing the boundaries of what is real and possible. It teaches them communication and empathy and helps them to discover how they can fit in.
Atelier Spatz started with Jo's own kids growing up with vintage costumes that had been in her family for generations. Missing from that seafarer's chest of costumes was a bird cape and so she made one. Since then, the bird capes have remained a signature costume although she has now designed and sewn everything from snow queens, ringmasters and superheroes to fairies and pirate costumes.
"Spatz" is the German word for sparrow. In Southern Germany, where Jo is from, kids are often called "little sparrow" as a term of endearment by their mums.
When designing and testing costumes, we strive to make them versatile, use mainly natural fibres and detail them as colourfully as a child's imagination. Patterns accommodate growing and active kids and have been tested on real little people. As an atelier we offer ready-to-wear children's costumes as well as a bespoke service for custom made costumes that are made to measure and designed along a customer's wishes. All costumes are handmade in the UK and have been enjoyed by children worldwide.
