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Kid Style File’s Angela Anderson

Interviews Jo and Marika, Founders of POLKA

Tell us a little about your background

Jo: I was born in Vancouver, Canada, and moved to Australia 7 years ago. I grew up in a multi cultural city bursting with great west coast food, culture and breathtaking scenery. We travelled a lot as a family, and Travel has been one of the major inspirations in my life both in work and in personal growth. I studied extensively in Canada and I’m currently working on my Masters.

Marika: I was born in Sydney, then moved to Adelaide when I was 2 - where my parents owned a children’s wear boutique called ‘Alice in Wonderland’. I remember at 2 or 3 yrs old jealously sitting on the sidewalk with my grandparents as my older sister Charisse got to dress up as Alice, with my Mum dressed as the White Rabbit, and my dad as the Mad Hatter, in the Norwood Street Parade with all the other shop owners. We moved back to Sydney when I was 5, and then to the Gold Coast when I was 14. I’ve been a graphic designer since I was 20, and it has led me to my current passion of fashion and textile Design.

What, or who, inspires you?

Both: We can’t get enough of Scandinavian Street Fashion, Tokyo Street Fashion, Excessive Layering, Interesting Accessories, Nordic Knits, Architecture, Origami, Polish Traditional Folkwear, Alaskan Eskimos, Style Structure, Triangles, Hexagons, Danish Design, Revival Fashions - 50’s, 60’s, 70’s, even 80’s, Rich Daring Colour - combinations that PING! And our 2 energetic hyper-tots: best friends Mika and Indi - full of humour and endless love.

Which other baby and kids designers do you admire?

Both: European labels Smafolk, Katvig, and Plastisock were our favourite inspirational brands when we first started. Now we’re designing ourselves, and things are going full-throttle we don’t get a lot of time to see what other kids labels are doing now!

What is your favourite way to spend time with your child?

Jo: We try to get outside and enjoy the outdoors as much as possible. We are so blessed with year round great weather on the Gold Coast, and are lucky to live so close to the beach and to the rainforest. It’s really the best of both worlds.

Marika: We *HEART* making cakes! Making cakes brings us closer together in two ways, one because she’s taller when she stands on a highchair, and two because it makes Indi so happy she hugs our heads in tight and tells me ‘ooh my best fwend, i love ooh’ - melts my heart every time!

Another favourite way to spend time is with Jo and Mika, because the girls have the most adorable friendship - the sound of them giggling together is pure joy - and they do it non-stop when they’re together. They are such cute, kooky kids!

What are you passionate about?

Jo: Working with Marika, and developing Polka. So far I am loving the ride. I think we have a winning combination of skills and passion. This year I’m really looking forward to travelling to keep tight reigns on our production and oversee the quality control. Outside of work, I’m passionate about being a great mother, and a good friend.

Marika: Ohhh - Polka. We do, we live breathe and eat it! It’s beyond obsessive! I dream about Design, Architecture, Folds, Angles, Textures - we’re forever analyzing what’s worked well, sold well worn well, tweaking and refining - adding new inspirations, how to make the next collection better, tighter, stronger. I’m also incredibly excited about our latest POLKA project - our very Web2.0 website and it’s social networking additions! We’re hoping to help create a dialogue and inspirational space for POLKALOVERS to participate: at the moment we’re running a Small Folk Street Style Spotting Photoshoot competition! Outside of work, I find great joy in spending the time I have off with family and friends.

If you could see Polka on any child in the world, who would it be, and why?

Both: We’re In total agreeance: Nicole Richie’s daughter, Harlow, and Gwen Stefani’s little boy Kingston - both women have incredible style.

What are you listening to/reading right now?

Jo: I’m listening to German electronic music, and reading ‘A New Earth’ by EckhartTolle.

Marika: I’m digging Metronomy and LadyHawke (courtesy of my brother and sister), and flicking through the pages of Frankie Magazine.

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Enter Polka’s Small Folk Street Style Spotting Photoshoot competition for a chance to win Polka prizes. You can purchase Polka Kids online from Baby’s Got Style, Little Pinwheel, Tiny People, and My Messy Room.

Angela Anderson, Kidstylefile.com.au