Kate Pietrasik is the founder and designer of unisex children's wear label, Tootsa MacGinty. Having worked for over 12 years as a senior designer for international street wear labels, Kate set up Tootsa MacGinty in 2011, with the aim to create a stylish alternative to the traditional boy-girl clothing divide often seen on the high street. Gorgeous, vibrant colours, playful details and quality, hardwearing fabrics were, and remain, at the core of the brand’s values. “I wanted to produce something directional, stylish and exciting which reflected a child’s imagination and the colourful world we live in” says Kate ”...to offer an alternative to the sea of pinks and blues, whilst also being practical, easy care, quality clothing. A unisex range which doesn’t limit a kid and let’s a child be a child”. From its launch, the company’s unique approach to children’s wear quickly gained recognition and leading department stores including John Lewis snapped up the collection. Four years later and the brand continues to grow and is now stocked across the globe from New York to London, Moscow to Sydney. An e-commerce website also offers the clothing, shipping worldwide, and Kate now has a team of 4 employees to help with the ever growing success of the brand. Kate grew up in North London. At the age of 17 she was lured to the sun, sand and surf of Australia. Blessed with an ambitious and creative spirit Kate spotted a gap in the market for a restaurant offering healthy food and set up a cafe in Byron Bay offering organic foods and fresh juices. Whilst the restaurant thrived, Kate, not content with one career, sold her shares in the very busy and popular restaurant and embarked on a degree in contemporary Art and Design at Southern Cross University (Australia) and The Pratt Institute (New York). The restaurant still exists. After graduating she spent the subsequent 12 years living in France and designing for some of the world’s most successful sport and street wear brands including Tommy Hilfiger, Roxy / Quiksilver, Henri Lloyd and Le Coq Sportif. With a passion and talent for great design combined with a savvy head for business she rapidly rose up the ranks and became a much sought after designer. In 2009 she had a daughter and moved back to the UK to be nearer family. This was the catalyst for Tootsa MacGinty. When looking for clothes for her baby she was shocked at the limited choice of colour, and particularly the gender stereotypical and ‘little adults’ designs on offer. She set out to create an alternative and the idea for a collection of cool, stylish unisex clothing was born. Kate’s business sense, a brilliant talent, coupled with a clear head and vision has led to the creation of a unique brand of beautifully designed and well made clothing which has caught the imaginations of parents and children across the globe. Tootsa MacGinty is only just starting out but is set for much bigger things.