(Seychelles News Agency) – A Seychellois living in Perth, Australia, has launched a children’s clothing brand inspired by the warmth, colors, flowers and greenery of the Seychelles islands.

Selma Adeline, née Lesperance, originally from Cascade, a district in the east of the main island of Mahé, designs and sews the Belisara Kids dress herself.

SNA caught up with the mother-of-two to find out more about her clothing line and her aspirations for Belisara Kids.

SNA: Tell us about your business.

HER : Belisara Kids was launched in April 2021 to create children’s clothing not found in clothing stores. My clothes are handmade by myself and created to use modern designs with age appropriate styles.

SNA: Tell us about yourself and your interest in sewing.

SA: Behind this initiative, there is me, my husband – Russel – and my daughter – Arabella. I sew all the clothes; my husband helps with ideas and advice while my daughter helps with photography and publicity.

I learned to sew with my mother when I was 6 years old. I was born in the Seychelles and my mother was well known in Cascade as a seamstress. I helped him on weekends and during school holidays. What started as sewing buttons and making doll clothes later turned into designing my clothes. I pursued this skill when I emigrated to Perth, Australia in 2009 where I currently work as a teacher. In my spare time, I have made clothes for my two children, school uniforms, wedding dresses, tuxedos, christening clothes and couch cushions, to name a few.

SNA: Why this project, when was it launched?

SA: The initiative started six years ago when my son started primary school, but quickly faded into the background due to his extracurricular extracurricular sports. It wasn’t until last year, when my family was housebound due to school and sports being canceled by COVID-19, that I had the time and determination to rise to the challenge. . This challenge was well received as I love designing, sewing and making children’s clothes. As winter approached, I began by winter pajamas and now we move with the seasons and create spring and summer clothes. The “Belisara” brand was launched in April this year.

SNA: Give us the details of your products and who are you targeting?

SA: My creations are aimed at parents looking for colorful clothes that are age-appropriate for their children. I make my children’s clothes in Australian sizes 1-6 and other sizes can be made on request and pre-order. Items can also be personalized.

SNA: What are the different products offered?

SA: Our current products are winter pajamas for boys and girls in Australian sizes 1-9, bluey overalls in size 1-4, bluey shorts in size 2-4, and cocomelon clothes, summer dresses, Christmas clothes and more summer clothes to be released in the coming weeks. I aspire to grow in making children’s christening clothes, unique boys’ shirts, girls’ blouses, rompers and dresses. You can find my current creations and order on Instagram at Belisara kids.

SNA: Where do you get your materials?

SA: Most of my materials are purchased in Perth, Australia itself, while some fabrics are ordered online.

SNA: Where do you draw your inspiration from and how do you incorporate islands into it?

SA: My inspirations come from the summer clothes and dresses I made for my daughter when she was young, so I try to incorporate those older designs into my new designs as much as possible. As summer approaches, I hope to switch to colorful sundresses inspired by the colorful flowers and greenery of the Seychelles.

SNA: Where are they sold and what are the prices?

SA: My products are sold online in Australia through our Instagram account and our Facebook page. This will change soon once the Belisara website is ready. Our prices range from $29 AUD ($21) to $60 AUD ($44) depending on the item, cost of materials and labor. Shipping and postage are not included in the prices as they vary by state and country. Currently, buyers can direct message me on our Instagram and Facebook account to order.

SNA: Do you have plans to open an outlet here in Seychelles and also mass production projects?

SA: Belisara ships to Seychelles and has a point of contact in Seychelles where customers can pick up their orders. However, an outlet would not be feasible at this time as we want to focus on growing the business and reinvesting profits into creating new designs. Mass production can be tricky because it takes away the handcrafted aspect that makes the company special. However, if there is a demand in the future, we will consider it.