This article is taken from our recent interview with Mini Mode Global Kids Fashion Week - www.mini-mode.co.uk 

"Today, we’re here with a new designer interview – this time we’re talking to Hunter and Boo. 

We’ve created this interview series with our brands to give you a little more of an insight into the brand itself – the face behind the brand and what inspires them to do what they do and how different brands work across the world.
We were so thrilled to have them at our show and we’re excited to give you a deeper insight into them in our interview, keep reading to find out more. 

Sarah and Beth Medley are the sister duo behind Hunter+Boo, an award-winning modern, ethical and sustainable baby and kids-wear label that doesn’t compromise on style or personality. 

With respective backgrounds in fashion and business, they founded the label in 2017 combining their love of nature, art and fashion with a desire to improve the lives of those who produce the collection.

Made with the softest 100% organic cotton and eco dyes, each garment celebrates the joy of childhood, made with care for the environment and our workers.

 Why did you start Hunter and Boo?

Sarah: Beth and I have always wanted to work together, and after the birth of her twins she identified a gap in the market for really cool ethically made and organic kids clothing.  With my background in fashion it seemed like the perfect fit!  We launched our range in Singapore just over 2 years ago – since then we have expanded our ranges and partnered with some brilliant retailers – as well as showing at Mini Mode, a very proud moment!

Tell us about your brand

Sarah: Hunter+Boo is founded on strong principles of quality production, timeless designs and beautiful unique products.  Our clothing line currently includes a range of dresses, rompers, tops, bottoms, bibs and blankets, all made with 100% super-soft GOTS certified organic cotton.  Our bold signature prints are all manufactured using eco-dyes. Every product is made with comfort in mind, from the cosy feel of the organic cotton against the skin, to the delicate screen printed inside labels.

How important is being an ethical brand to you and what steps do you take to make your brand as ethical as possible?

Beth: Being an ethical brand is a core value of our business and impacts everything we do at Hunter+Boo, from the materials we select to the packaging we use. We set out from the beginning to be a brand of action, building the business on a set of firm ethical foundations. We strive to continually learn and improve our practices with the aim of leaving as small a footprint as possible on our precious planet.

What challenges have you faced since starting the brand?

Beth: Finding a factory that shares our ethical values was a long and challenging process. After a lot of research, we met with our factory in Sri Lanka and were excited to discover they hold some pretty awesome ethical certifications like GOTS and Garments Without Guilt. They are a family owned business and we love visiting with them and seeing our designs come to life. 

Sarah: I would say time!  We are still a very small team and it is hard work balancing the demands of motherhood and business.  That said it’s extremely rewarding, and we wouldn’t have it any other way.

Where do you get the inspiration for your designs?

Sarah: As an ethical brand we believe that fundamentally our clothing at Hunter+Boo should offer season-less style. We are often recognised for our signature bold, oversized, and unisex prints which are all designed in-house and take inspiration from many sources of personal artistic influence, from nature to art and antiques. We also take our customer feedback seriously and have developed new shapes and designs based on items that they would like to see. And of course, we can’t help but find inspiration daily from our own kids, my one-year-old son, Harry, and Beth’s twin son and daughter who are the brand’s namesakes!

Mini Mode is all about empowering and inspiring the next generation. What do you think needs to be done to improve kid’s self-esteem?

Beth: Firstly, we totally agree with you and love being part of the Mini Mode shows which are always such fun for everyone involved! It’s clear the kids are having a blast and the inclusivity you promote is admirable and a huge step forward. From a personal perspective, as a mum I try to instil confidence for my own kids by empowering them through giving the choice to make their own decisions, for example what they would like to eat or where we are going to play today. I also allow them to be independent where possible, helping with daily chores and responsibilities, using reward charts as positive reinforcement!

What’s next for your brand?

Sarah: We have been mainly focussed on the Singapore and Asian side of the business for the past two years, and this season we are very excited to extend the Brand into Europe, with the launch of our European website and some exciting new partnerships coming up!