For the shoe lover in training

I should have known better. If I had done my homework, I could have easily found out that the co-founder of gorgeous children’s shoes shop Papillon is Anya Hindmarch’s sister. I could have known what kind of crowd to expect at the opening party of Papillon’s new flagship store in Marelybone.

It’s a bad sign to be outstaged by food

London socialites, handbag empire rulers, TV starlets and nannies, nannies, nannies. So, with the background knowledge of the above, what do you think equals skinny J Brand jeans + Bloch ballerina pumps + Marlene Birger tanktop? Exactly, you’ve got it right. Underdressed!

Spending an hour rolling around on the green in Regents Park pre launch party resulted in a very relaxed little L, but also made her easily the dirtiest baby attending the event. Hey, you’ve gotta stand out somehow.

I am trying to take being asked “And who’s nanny are you?” by one of the au pairs as a compliment. It’s been exactly seven years since this happened to me the last time. I guess I haven’t changed much but kept my youthful looks. Ahem.

Founders Felicia, Maggie and Nicole

The highlight of the afternoon certainly was my brief conversation with Papillon co-founder Maggie Snouck. Maggie started thinking about starting her own business and selling children’s shoes when she was not happy with what’s been on offer for her own offspring’s tiny feet.  And she did a fabulous jop changing the landscape of children’s footwear to the better.

We will most certainly be back for a measuring and a pair of red baby Mary Janes. Or these little darlings:

To pass on your love of shoes to your little ones, visit Papillon’s new flagship store on 98 Marylebone Lane in London W1U 2QA. Or try Papillon’s website.