"A stay-at-home mom with a glorified hobby" is how Kat West describes herself.
The New York mom of two has created Babylady Inc, a children's clothing label that combines a strong fashion sense with the practicality that only a mother can know.
Her life before becoming a mom was "fashion, music and parties all rolled into one". Kat's roots in New York's fashion scene during the 90s, working with Patricia Field and designing a label for her stores, is evident in each Babylady Inc piece. The brand is playful high-fashion perfection, with hints of Martin Margiela to Rei Kawakubo and the late Alexander McQueen throughout.

A die-hard New Yorker, Kat West produces Babylady Inc exclusively in New York. She views New York City's Garment district as "An undeniably important resource for many young talents to be able to produce small quantities of their work "It’s a working relationship she's built since her Patricia Field days. "I also have a very personal relationship with everyone I work with. The sample makers, pattern makers, graders, the sewers, they call me when they are about to cut a pattern or go into production and I can hop on the subway and literally be there within the hour to oversee the day's work."

Babylady Inc keeps it local and in the family. The 2 year-old family business includes Kat's husband John who helps on the business end and her children Bien (6 years old) and Vivian (3 years old) who precociously help on the creative end. Bien helps direct the graphics for most of our printed bodies, and Vivian is the face and muse of Babylady Inc.

Kat West head of Babylady Inc took time to answer a few questions about the day in the life of a stay-at-home mom and her glorified hobby.

How did you come up with the name Babylady Inc? 
It’s funny actually, it was an inside joke between friends, " and it was my dear friend Rique who gave us the name because it so amazingly fit our vision.the baby who was a lady"

What's a typical day/week of a mom/entrepreneur? 
My work schedule at the moment consists of free time when the kids are at school, so basically my workday starts after they are dropped off at school, and ends before I pick them up.  Our 'busy season' comes in waves, so there are times when the emails and factory days are up to the last minute of before picking up the kids and other days, which are treasured, that are more lax. 

Three things you've learned as a mom entrepreneur?
1) The most important business is FAMILY 
2)  People have amazing respect for 'stay at home moms with business ventures’' 3)  If you want it, you can have it
 
Your children’s favorite Babylady Inc pieces? 
Vivian currently loves her Tightrope Bloomers (SS2011), I think it's because it's just a tad girly, not too much, and because it's comfortable. 
Bien currently loves his Penguins!! Sweatshirt (FW2011) he literally had the final say on that graphic, I took his drawings and manipulated it how he wanted it and he directed every step down to the contrast colors of the penguins' feet.
 
Any projects or collaborations currently in the works? 
Currently we are conducting a fundraiser for the Japan Society Earthquake Fund, a friend of ours lived in Fukushima which was terribly hit by the earthquake and tsunami and it really hit home for us so we decided to create this small fundraiser by accepting donations towards the Japan Society Earthquake Fund -  we then reward donors with a limited edition Blushing Eyes – We Heart Japan Tote.

Three words that describe Babylady Inc? 
I'll give you four:  Live. Breathe. Create. Bloom.
 
Running Babylady Inc means I can always…….? 
Be creative without sacrifice. It's a happy feeling.

Have a look at:

www.babyladyinc.com

written by Khalym Schell, Online editor for USA
khalym@kidswear-department.com