Ethnic inspired clothing lets children strut their stuff in style

Christine McCall

Walking down the street in today’s society, everyone wants to make a fashion statement. Designer Matae Reed makes that happen.

The African-inspired clothing line, Li’l Crumbsnatchers, allows young children, and soon mothers, to go out in style and celebrate their ethnic heritage.

Reed, 33, attended the Clarissa School for Fashion Design in Pittsburgh and majored in design. She began her career creating custom African clothing for adults. She soon realized that designing clothes for children would be more fun. She said, “When little kids walk in a room, it is hard to ignore them.”

Reed says it was by accident that she got involved in making ethnic clothing for children. Not wanting to waste leftover material from her other projects, she decided to put it to good use and create a jumper, jacket and cap for her son’s first year photograph. Reed created Li’l Crumbsnatchers in 1991 after being inspired by compliments she received from people about the outfit she designed for her son.

“I couldn’t believe how many people complimented my son’s outfit,” she said.

That got the ball rolling for Li’l Crumbsnatchers.

“You can’t go in a store and find something that has ethnic influence and also an American flair,” she said. “I try to combine the urban look, but then mix it with ethnic fabric, so it has the best of both worlds,” Reed said.

Fabrics for the clothing line are imported from Senegal, Benin, Niger and the Ivory Coast. The clothing is enriched with cowrie shells, beads, rhinestones, glitter and appliqués to give a unique and edgy style.

For the smallest crumbsnatchers, the infant collection consists of sundresses, sweatshirts, shortalls, suspender pants and bubble rompers made with colorful African prints. Bibs, booties, burp cloths and blankets are also available.

Li’l Crumbsnatchers also carries a line for children ages 2-10, which includes a limited edition of hand-painted T-shirts, denim jeans and jackets with appliqués, African print mini skirts, cargo shorts, halter dresses and dashiki tops.

Every outfit needs an accessory. Li’l Crumbsnatchers has an array of accessories to choose from to accompany the bright colors and patterns of the African clothing. Handbags, head wraps, hats and beaded bracelets are a sampling of the accessories designed to compliment the ethnic styled clothing.

As far as the future of the company is concerned, Reed would like to expand the casual and formal wear lines. Reed is planning the release of a new Mommy line which is set to include dresses, hand-painted T-shirts, denim separates, tote bags and personalized name bracelets.

Reed is also working on a Special Occasion line which will include formal wear for weddings, graduations, parties and family photographs. She said that she is taking her time to expand the clothing line in order to make sure all items of business are properly in place.

“Ethnic clothing is hard to come by,” Reed said. She describes her clothing line as different and edgy. “Lots of parents want that for their kids. You want something unique.”

As for expansion, Reed said, “I looked into retail outlets, but it’s hard as far as productivity is concerned.” She added that she would rather stay small and be able to supervise the production of the clothing to ensure that the product is properly assembled and distributed. 

Reed said that sales are good right now for Li’l Crumbsnatchers. “I don’t know if it’s the warm weather or what it is,” she said. “I am glad things are picking up.”

Li’l Crumbsnatchers clothing and accessories are sold exclusively online through the company’s website. To take a look, visit www.lilcrumbsnatchers.com.