Our last little chat (with Celine Bukulow) went down so well I’ve decided to make it a regular. Top of my list – stylist and mum-of-three (including a tiny new baby) Libby Carradice-French.
So, Libby, we know you’re a stylist. And have three children. We met briefly at a kidswear event, I noticed you and your family because you were all wearing amazing outfits and looked so effortlessly stylish. But tell us more about you.
So, I’m 30 years old, living in a small town, spending my days with 3 small people.
There’s Frida who’s 4, Delphine who’s 2 and Linus, our little boy who completed our family in July. We were living in London until we were served the cocktail of covid and pregnancy which meant it was time to pack the boxes, leave and live closer to the countryside and family.
I’ve been a fashion stylist for 9 years, I’ve assisted and styled womenswear, kidswear, musicians, commercial and editorial shoots. I’ve more recently sort of fallen in to working with brands for content creation through organically sharing outfits and glimpses of our life. I feel so fortunate that it puts me in a position where I can be home with the children whilst they’re so tiny.
Tell us more about your motherhood journey?
Motherhood is the most important, enormous, fulfilling, revealing and enriching experience. It’s also totally overwhelming, thankless and testing with no pause button. The responsibility is huge which at times can feel daunting and equally rewarding. I love the solidarity of motherhood, this shared experience with other mums. The nod and smile you give as you pass by each other after another sleepless night pushing the pram willing and hoping for that nap! It’s also so much fun! So many moments I get to relive what it’s like to be a child, play, create and indulge in their little pure bubble of joy, magic and imagination.
Going from two to three comes with a little more noise and chaos, but I don’t feel any more ‘hands full’ than I did before. We knew we wanted lots of children, we used to say we’d have 4 but now it definitely feels busy enough… The transition of bringing a new baby in to the dynamic has always felt really easy and smooth. Frida took to Delphine beautifully, and they’ve both been besotted with Linus since the day he was born. I’m so grateful for that as I know it’s not always easy. We’ve tried to keep them really involved – lots of cuddles, nappy changing, helping bathe and dress. I think that helps to feel like we’re all in this together and it’s not us with the baby and them separated.
I’ve definitely struggled a bit with the guilt of not always having the full energy and attention to do lots with Frida and Delphine since having Linus and I’ve felt that stretch pull harder at times. But I’m learning to give myself grace and remind myself to lower the standards sometimes if it means the environment will feel peaceful and happy which is ultimately the most important thing for a child, not all the activities and days out.
And on Instagram. I love your aesthetic. It feels beautifully considered yet also effortless and warm. And you must be one of the best-dressed families on there right now. Tell us about your journey and how it’s evolved?
I didn’t set out to do content creating so I’m now navigating the balance of how much to show of my children since my following has grown. They’re a huge part of my life day to night, so to show my life without them isn’t natural but I’m always conscious of not giving too much of their childhood away online.
At the same time, I love the community of mums on Instagram, and I love the abundance of inspiration for outfits, toys, play and craft ideas, interiors and all the in between. I’ve been so lucky to work with so many brands I love – Spilled Milk, Pépé, Binibamba, Nights by Wilder, Konges Sløjd, Sissel Mini, Organic Zoo, Bugaboo, Tonies… We’re spoilt for choice with kids’ brands!
And what about future plans? Is there anyone you’d love to work with?
I’d really love to work with Mini Rodini, Rice, Meri Meri, Bebe Organic, Apolina, Caramel, Misha & Puff, Bobo Choses, Stapelstein. I’d also love to dive more in to womenswear – Shrimps, Deiji Studios, Leset, Sea NY. Our best of times are away together as a family, so a hosted stay would be a dream… I could go on forever!
The idea is that once Linus is at school, I’ll direct focus in to opening a shop – a destination to get something for your child, yourself and your home. I love shopping and I love an experience of going into a considered and curated space. I want to create somewhere that parents can shop but feels welcoming for children, the ideas are always simmering in the back of my mind behind the mum admin!
