Anna Pops, unique kids shoes and clothes � online kids webshop - Repops

TO OVERVIEW

Repops

12/12/19

Recycled clothing

Context & Concept

In our daily lives, almost everything is available at a moment's notice in seemingly inexhaustible quantities. Fantastic, isn't it? But appearances are deceptive. Our local lifestyle has a significant impact on the global environment. We want to integrate this awareness into Anna Pops' DNA. Fortunately, we have no control over the speed at which children grow. But the answer to this does not lie in the massive purchase of garments that have a major impact on the environment due to their production, transport and limited lifespan. That is why we are working within our #repops initiative on a place for quality recycled clothing. We select a series of brands and set quality criteria that the garments to be brought in must meet. Clothing thus becomes an investment, because part of the selling price is returned to you.

Which garments are considered to be Repops proof?

- All Anna Pops brands + Bellerose, Morley, Coyote de Paris and Simple Kids
- Age 2 to 18 years old
- Quality is new condition or slight traces of use, no stains or small holes

Conditions for becoming a supplier of second-hand clothing (Repops ambassador):

- The supplier can offer at least 20 pieces for sale that are Repops proof.
- The supplier applies by email (info@annapops.be).

Sale price agreements:

- The supplier determines the price for his own garments.
- When selling a garment, the supplier receives 50% of the sales amount in the form of an Anna Pops voucher.

When is Repops available in the shop?

- December-January
- June-July

REPOPS part 2

31/10/19

In search of sustainable fashion finds

Cosh tells the following about sustainability: "We don't see sustainability as a black and white story. There are many different facets to sustainability. And few brands score on all these characteristics and are circular and natural, short chain and 100% vegetable, traditionally produced and without any chemicals, honestly made and without any waste or polluting transport." They check brands for the following 8 categories: the ethical (working conditions), the ecological (impact on the environment), the circular, the short chain, microplastics, vegan, slow fashion and transparency. As a rule of thumb, Niki has always been committed to avoiding PVC and 'normal cotton' as well as polyesters in clothing that is not a raincoat or sportswear. Acceptable and environmentally friendly are organic cotton, tencel and recycled variants. Curious about the sustainable scores of the Anna Pops fashion finds? Check here https://cosh.eco/nl/store/anna-popsWhat lies behind ethical fashion? What is the impact of 'slow fahion' and what are the characteristics of a sustainable piece of textile?

During our search on all these questions we ended up with Niki De Schryver. She is the founder of the COSH platform. Through this online platform she wants to help consumers in their search for sustainable, ethical clothing. On Thursday evening 24 October Niki was our guest and guide through a sustainable lifestyle with a focus on fashion.

As a rule of thumb, Niki has always been committed to avoiding PVC and 'normal cotton' as well as polyesters in clothing that is not a raincoat or sportswear. Acceptable and environmentally friendly are organic cotton, tencel and recycled variants.

Curious about the sustainable scores of the Anna Pops fashion finds? Check here https://cosh.eco/nl/store/anna-pops

REPOPS part 1

31/10/19

Can consumerism save the world?

....Undoubtedly, along with a lot of other sustainable initiatives.

REPOPS enters into its sustainable commitment through its circular ideas. In our daily lives, almost everything is available at the moment in seemingly inexhaustible quantities. Fantastic, isn't it? But appearances are deceptive. Our local lifestyle has an important impact on the global environment. This awareness forms the basis of the REPOPS concept.

Fortunately, we have no control over the speed at which children grow. But the answer to this does not lie in the massive purchase of garments that have a major impact on the environment due to their production, transport and limited lifespan.

REPOPS, as a place for quality recycled clothing, is an answer to this question. We select a series of brands and set quality criteria that the garments to be brought in must meet. In the period December-January and June-July, the REPOPS collection is present in our shop.

Clothing becomes an investment, because part of the sales price goes back to the customer.

Tailor-made (shoe)advice

05/09/19

How do I maintain my shoes?

A child's foot is constantly evolving, so it is best to choose a beautiful shoe that fits your child like a glove and offers sufficient support. That is why we carefully select our range of shoes with a focus on timeless, durable materials. Once at home with your brand new shoes, your story begins. Children like to romp, but don't think about what they are wearing at their feet. Protecting and caring for your shoes is the message, so that your child can be a carefree child. Depending on the material, different care tips are possible. We will gladly give you these so that you can enjoy your purchase to the fullest.

Smooth leather & pull-up leather
Protect
Leather is a durable material that is naturally breathable and strong. If you are using your shoes for the first time, it is important that you protect them from moisture and dirt beforehand. An impregnating spray provides a transparent layer around the shoe that allows water droplets to slide off the surface of the shoe, without affecting the breathable effect of the shoe. An impregnation spray for pull-up leather pays extra attention to the oiled layer of the shoe, which preserves its rustic appearance. Children's shoes are used intensively, which is why we recommend that you regularly inject your shoes at a distance of approximately 30 cm. Do this when they are completely dry to avoid stains or differences in colour.

Cleaning and care
Mud, sand and dust belong to the playground of the children's shoe. Use a brush to remove these particles. Rub the seams thoroughly. Then put a care product on a sponge and lubricate the shoes, this gives them their supple structure back and makes the color more vibrant again.

Colour boosting
To prevent the fading of colours, a colourless or a coloured waterstop tube can be applied. Brushing with a slightly darker coloured product gives an immediate, more intense result. Against extremely bleached shoes, a colorit tube, in a color of your choice, offers the necessary salvation.

Suede and nubuck
Protect
These rustic-looking materials are created by tanning leather, but what is the difference between the two? With suede, the underside of the tanned leather is sharpened to create a brushed structure. With nubuck, just the top of the tanned leather is sanded to create a velvet look. Both are sensitive to rain, so they need just that little bit more care to maintain their unique look. When used for the first time and during the winter months, it is advisable to treat the shoes weekly with an impregnating spray.

Cleaning and care
Dirt residue can be removed with a brush. A Suede Nubuck Box is used to remove stains on suede and nubuck. This is a block with a hard crepe side for dry cleaning and a soft foam side to roughen the shoes. Do this regularly to maintain the original look of your shoes. For stubborn stains, a cleaning foam can be applied and then rubbed out with a soft brush.

Colour boosting
The colour care and refreshment of both suede and nubuck can be done with a Nubuck textile bottle. This transparent care with application sponge can be rubbed on the shoe and then left to dry. It has never been so simple!

Metallic
Protect
Metallic provides glitter and glamour and that can be taken quite literally. It consists of a glossy coating with a glitter effect that can be applied to different surfaces. Unique to this material is its high gloss factor. An impregnating spray specially developed for metallic will carefully protect this shiny shoe against moisture and dirt.

Cleaning and care
Each material has its own sensitivities. Sharp edges can threaten metallic shoes with scratches. Sufficient impregnation with an impregnating spray, specially developed for metallic, is crucial. This spray will renew the shine of your shoes. Always use a soft cloth to remove dirt residue and to shine the shoes.

Colour boosting
The colour can be freshened up with a colouring collonil colour cream. This product will ensure that the leather becomes supple again, the shine is restored and the color revives. Apply this product in a thin layer with a soft search or a soft brush. After 20 to 30 minutes the shoe can be polished with a cloth.

Patent leather
Protect
Patent leather shoes add an extravagant touch to any outfit. The plastic layer applied to the leather creates a high-gloss effect. Ordinary care products would leave a greasy layer on the leather, which is why we recommend the use of lacquer mousse for lacquer shoes. The antistatic effect of this mousse causes dirt residues to slide off the shoe. Lacquer is temperature sensitive so store your shoes in a stable environment to prevent cracks in the leather.

Cleaning and care
Clean lacquer leather with a damp cloth. Just like metallic, lacquer is susceptible to scratching, so always use soft materials to polish your shoes. The lack mousse can then be applied again to maintain the shine and elasticity of the shoes. Finally, for a dazzling shine, you can shine the shoes with a dry cloth.

Colour boosting
The only way to revive the colour of lacquer shoes is to apply a care product. You can use the lack mousse again or a Lack polish.

Other material
Did you buy shoes in a different material than described above? Then play on save with an impregnating spray for all material types and material combinations such as for shoes with a hairy effect. You can remove stains with a cleaning foam that you rub over the stains with a damp sponge.

General tips
To conclude, there are some do's and don'ts that apply to each type of shoe. First of all, you should always spray new shoes with an impregnating spray before wearing them to protect them from moisture and dirt. After cleaning and taking care of your shoes, close your routine again with impregnation. Leather is a natural material that is sensitive to environmental factors. Therefore, never place your leather shoes near heating elements to prevent cracks.
Last but not least, enjoy your purchase!

Partners in crime

30/04/19

Our interview for bossy magazine by Katrien Meersman of stille bliksem

Text: Katrien Meersman of stille bliksem

Publication: bossy magazine

Start your own business with your partner. For some an absolute no-go, for others a dream come true. Whether you take the first steps together or step into your partner's business after a while: living and doing business with your great love requires trust, clear agreements and balance. Every month, Katrien talks to an enterprising love couple and how they do this together.

Tina Daem and Filip Van Langenhove run the hip children's shop Anna Pops in Aalst together. There you will find custom-made children's shoes and a fine selection of children's clothing for toddlers from two years old to teenagers from sixteen years old.

Anna Pops was born in 2012 out of their own search for cool, fun children's shoes for their - then - two year old daughter. What started as a dream on 12m2 today is a shop of 120m2 with accompanying webshop and a first employee.

All children's shoes are made by Tina and Filip themselves in cooperation with workshops in Italy, Spain and Portugal where all shoes are handmade with love for the craft.

How exactly did the Anna Pops concept come about?

Tina: "The idea came about mainly because I needed something else. I had already worked as an independent real estate agent, interior designer at a kitchen company and at that time had an administrative job at the city of Aalst. I needed a new challenge, but I didn't know exactly what."

Filip: "Anna Pops was partly born out of pure necessity. Suddenly there was the magical moment when our first daughter Fauve took her first steps. But we didn't find any quality shoes, nor did we find any substantiated advice about this. During a moment of rest, under the sun in Provence, the idea arose to formulate an answer to this."

Tina: "Filip and I love to brainstorm at restaurants, cafes, holidays... I usually have my bullet journal at hand, because there is always something to write down when we're together."

What immediately strikes you when you visit the shop or your webshop is the personal approach.

Tina: "We do indeed want to surprise both online and offline. We call our items fashionable because every child is unique. We continue this approach in our collections and in the story of Anna Pops."

Filip: "Patience is an important aspect of this and runs like a thread through our concept. We invest a lot of time in the search for new fashion discoveries and the creators behind the creations".

Tina: "When we buy new collections or do research into new brands, I usually take out those special pieces at a glance. But before we find them, there is indeed a whole search ahead of it."

Filip: "Both in the webshop and in the shop, we attach importance to personal advice. For us, the shop is the absolute meeting place with our ambassadors. Literally, space has been created for lee. Coffee and a biscuit stimulate personal contact and we get a lot of energy out of this. The fleeting fades and makes way for depth."

Tina: "It is from this approach that we compile collections for shoes, clothing and related accessories. We are increasingly letting go of the seasonal fashion as we know it, and we are focusing on timeless, durable pieces. After all, children grow quickly, so it makes sense that the wardrobe is not a lost cause at the end of the season, but that you can genuinely give the clothing a new lease of life when it is sold on".

Did you immediately take the big leap? Or did you build Anna Pops step by step?

Tina: "We started very small with our own shop in our house. In the beginning I combined Anna Pops with my job at the City of Aalst, today our shop gets 100% my attention. And I work on our story both in front of and behind the scenes."

Filip: "I still work as an architect and researcher/lector at the Odisee University of Applied Sciences, together with Maarten I am responsible for the management of our two holiday apartments and I help Tina with Anna Pops. I help in the shop, brainstorm about new ideas and help making decisions, organizing events and (product) photography. I get my energy from this variety and the many personal contacts that make it impossible for me to miss Anna Pops."

Tina: "Filip is my support and refuge and the perfect critical sounding board for all my ideas. So also indispensable for Anna Pops."

You've been working together from the start. Did this feel like a logical choice?

Filip: "Yes, you do. We are life partners. So, from living together to working together went very naturally."

Tina: "In August we will be working together for seven years and it still feels good."

"Without our strong bond, we wouldn't be where we are today.

You have to step in the same direction together in full.

...to share your opinion without restraint, otherwise it'll end soon." - Filip

The shop is located at your home. Does that make it easier to combine work and private life?

Filip: "From the start, we consciously chose to integrate the shop into our own home. As a result, life and work are permanently intertwined. Of course, this has its advantages and disadvantages. We are very flexible if people want to come by appointment and at less busy times in the shop we can do administrative work without losing time on commuting. On the other hand, we sometimes really have to flee our home to relax. Because you can always work. But that 'flight' takes us to inspiring places and that's the end of the circle. Everything is constantly changing with us and that is what we need to keep our appetite in it."

Tina: "When the children are with us, we both stop working anyway. And if they're not there, we'll continue to work. Although Filip can let go of work much more easily than I can. In the evening I also want to do a lot of things or talk about Anna Pops. Filip is often away during the day for his work as an architect and researcher/lector and I want to inform him of my ideas in the evening, but he doesn't always feel like it". (laughs)

Filip: "Tina is really busy non-stop with her passion. Even at bedtime, her smartphone's glowing screen sometimes keeps me awake." (laughs)

Tina: "Sorry! Much is indeed dedicated to our work. If we go on a Sunday trip, we go to a big city for inspiration and look at shop windows and furnishings, products ... We also tailor our trips to our work. Actually, when I think about it now, there isn't much private left over. But we love to do it so much."

How difficult or easy is it to run a business together as a couple?

Tina: "That's not too bad. It's easy to say what you think because you know the other person very well. That gives me a good feeling and also ensures that things progress faster."

Filip: "In function of peak moments - as in all collaborations - this naturally runs more smoothly one moment than the next. Neither is a crack in the administrative and financial part of the company. We still do this ourselves - fortunately we have a good bookkeeper who supports us. But as soon as we can be creative, set up events or prepare a photoshoot, we are in our element. Tina has an unbelievable urge for innovation and I try to filter out feasible initiatives from this waterfall of ideas. Together we refine these during a brainstorm. Some ideas become concrete and others get stuck in the back of our minds."

Tina, you work full-time for Anna Pops. Filip, you work part-time. How are the tasks divided among themselves?

Tina: "I do about 80% of the tasks, but that has grown because Anna Pops was initially a project for me. We both believed in it, but had resolved to see how everything would evolve. Today, Filip is mainly the backup of the store, my sounding board that immediately understands me and thinks along with me about our growth and the direction we want to go in."

Filip: "Tina is really the heart of Anna Pops. I am more like the head, the arms and the legs. While she focuses on the development of Anna Pops, I work with our colleague Judith on the development of the story."

How did your family and friends react to the news that you wanted to start your own business?

Tina: "They are used to us doing a lot together and didn't think it was weird."

Filip: "Although they were politely sceptical. Neither Tina nor I come from an entrepreneurial family. But because of the small scale, our idea was tolerated." (laughs)

Tina: "I think they're all proud of us."

Filip: "Yes, all of them are enthusiastic and help to extinguish fires directly or indirectly by looking after Lo�s and Fauve."

Suppliers or customers probably don't look up (anymore) weird?

Filip: "You should ask them that." (laughs)

Tina: "I don't think they think this is weird. Even Judith, our first employee, was familiar with this from the start. People often even see it as a good basis for a company."

Filip: "Intuitively they see us as a nice match, I think. Without our strong bond, we wouldn't be where we are today. You have to go in the same direction together in full and be able to share your opinion uninhibited, otherwise it will stop soon."

Amsterdam by locals

01/11/18

Hup, the folding bike out of the car and ready to get to know Amsterdam in 24 hours via another (water) side.

A first tip we will check out is the Haarlemmerstraat and Haarlemmerdijk. Here you can spend a whole day, starting with an organic breakfast at Vinnies http://vinnieshomepage.com/ to then discover new small brands at Restored and the creative ladies behind Sukha. It's a very diverse neighborhood (read.... a lot of coffee shops ;-) ) where the side streets are hidden gems such as the delicious slow coffee at Toki. If you like honest and genuine cuisine, choose for the Foodware (seems like an advertising slogan). Here you put together your own meal from the preparations that the cook offers that day, you can take it home or enjoy it on the spot. Also a tip that ends up in our app Mapstr.

From a circular point of view, our neighbours from the North have started working on the empty lock and bridge houses. Via Sweet Hotel you can spend the night in such a mini-viewpoint over the water. We enjoyed the unique panorama on the Ij from the Westerdoksbrug 301. Again an absolute hit.

But there is also a lot to do on the other side. This is how we get to know NDSM. It is a creative place that you can easily reach by ferry. In numerous huge halls are artists, start-ups, second-hand shops, .... together. Of course again (vegetarian) tasty eaten in Pllek. The Noorderlicht is also recommended but our 24 hours are much too fast.

So no excuses to return quickly and let's say... there is a lot of entrepreneurship in the Netherlands, they are efficient, think in the here and now and dare to fail. We've been given a baggage full of inspiration again... Thx Amsterdam.