Ickle Eco bamboo babywear

Where is it?
ickleeco.co.uk

History:
Friends Kelly and Victoria met around 10 years ago. It was Kelly who came across bamboo as an alternative to materials such as cotton. She began thinking about a clothing range to suit her daughter who suffers from eczema. The two discussed the options over a glass of wine and eventually came up with the Ickle Eco concept.

Victoria says: “It was whilst she was looking for some fabric on the internet that she came across bamboo. The more she read about the amazing properties, the more she thought about how it could help to relieve eczema, and the idea for a clothing range was born.”

Luckily the bank also loved the idea and were keen to help finance the new venture. After 10 months of planning and preparation, Ickle Eco started trading in January 2009 from their base in Sale, Greater Manchester.

Who shops there?
As affiliates of the British Skin Foundation and the National Eczema Society, Ickle Eco has particular significance for parents of children with sensitive skin or conditions such as eczema. The bamboo fabric is very soft and can be worn directly next to the skin.

Victoria says: “Many people who experience allergic reactions to other natural fibres, such as wool or hemp, do not complain of this issue with bamboo. The fibre is naturally smooth and round without chemical treatment, meaning that there are no sharp spurs to irritate the skin.”

What does it sell?
Babywear made from bamboo. And why? Because baby's skin is five times thinner than our own, making it far easier for any chemicals and harmful toxins to enter their bodies. According to Ickle Eco, the average cotton T-shirt is made of only 73 per cent cotton. The other 27 per cent is made up of chemicals used to grow and make it. So all of a sudden, cotton clothing doesn't look like the best option for your baby after all, despite its apparent softness. Bamboo beats cotton hands down when you look at the facts. It's durable, breathable, softer, stronger and safer.

Why go there?
Ickle Eco clothing looks good, feels good and most importantly, it works. The ladies have firsthand experience of the bamboo benefits. Speaking about Kelly's daughter, Victoria says: “I have certainly seen improvements in Isabella's skin since she has been wearing her bamboo. She still has flare ups, but scratches less when she has bamboo on. This is because the fabric is so silky soft, it causes no irritation. The clothes are also designed to fit closely to the skin; this reduces friction and increases the skin contact with the fabric so it can gain maximum benefits. The fact that the bamboo regulates her temperature means she doesn't get too hot, which used to irritate her, especially at night.”

Future:
For organic, eco-friendly and natural products this is just the beginning. Many companies are turning to nature as oppose to chemical cocktails when it comes to beauty products, clothing and food. This company has formed at a time when we're all looking to add a little eco to our lives, or in this case, Ickle Eco.

They hope to introduce pram blankets and nap bags to the collection in May. They're also hoping to expand their size range (they currently only offer 0-3 years). And they're on the look out for new and emerging textiles.

Victoria says: “Our supplier has superb knowledge of the eco-fabric market and can offer us an amazing range of fabrics made from some surprising elements. Once we have established our bamboo, we will be looking to see if we can compliment our product range.”