Little G.E.M.s is now permanently closed.
What?: We’re frequent visitors to Victoria Village and have been stopping off at this corner boutique to pick up cute cotton rompers since Bab was a newborn, having discovered organic babywear brand Little Green Radicals in-store. Little G.E.M.s is by and large a children’s shoe specialist, having been set up by Hackney mums Clair Lane and Alex Tham in a bid to provide beautiful, ‘barefoot’ children’s shoes that are good for tiny feet, though the store also stocks a variety of stylish high-end kidswear brands and a small selection of accessories and toiletries for minis.
There is a sizeable shoe department with a squashy sofa for trying on in comfort, and available brands include the award-winning, podiatrist-approved Bobux with its wide variety of styles, trainers by Hummel, sandals by Salt-Water and practical footwear by retro favourite Start-Rite. Kidswear labels vary from season to season, but top picks include colourful knitwear brand Knit Planet; unisex label Mr Wolf, which specialises in abstract-printed cotton casuals; and Where’s That Bear, whose stylish separates all feature a hidden bear for the wearer to find.
Where?: Victoria Park Road, a 14-minute walk from Homerton and 18 from London Fields (both Ginger) stations, and 22 from Bethnal Green (Central).
Price Range: Some of the designer brands are quite pricy, without being ridiculous, but there are always affordable items and there is even a pre-loved section filled with purse-friendly finds.
Best Bits: The shop employs three children’s hairdressers, who can be pre-booked for appointments four days a week. There is also a basement pop-up space hosting a rotating line-up of exciting brands. All staff are very clued up when it comes to kids’ footwear and always make sure you leave with a well-fitted pair that aligns with your child’s stage of development.
Worst Bits: The shop is small, though it’s still unlikely you’ll leave empty-handed.
Did We Buy?: Over the last year or two we’ve bought a couple of Little Green Radicals rompers, a pair of Bobux soft-sole shoes and a Matachu play camera.
Would We Come Back?: Always.
Bab and mummy pose outside Little G.E.M.s, Victoria Village.
bablands.com 