Park Slope Food Co-Op Inspires Kids Clothing Line

Photos courtesy of Oeuf.

It is difficult to imagine a more Park Slope moment in the modern history of Park Slope than the moment Park Slope mom Sophie Demenge, on one of her frequent trips to the Park Slope Food Co-Op (PSFC), had a light bulb go off while browsing organic, locally grown fruits and veggies: Why not make a food-themed clothing line for my eco-friendly Park Slope kids fashion brand?

“Sophie is a member of the Park Slope Food Co-op and was inspired by the healthy foods and bright colors while shopping,” said her spokeswoman, Rachel Wepler, by email.

The French-American designer debuted Foodilicious, her aggressively adorable ode to the PSFC, earlier this month.

Demenge’s brand is called Oeuf, named after the French word for egg — “because like an egg, our design is simple and clean and our components are natural and lasting,” explains the Oeuf website.

Alpaca knit pieces in the new fall/winter collection include $70 egg berets, $72 beet neckies, $78 artichoke mittens, $104 eggplant “footie suspender pants,” $110 hazelnut-colored sweaters with the word ”KALE” written across the front and $110 radish sweaters (or $160 hoodie alternatives).

So that your kids’ sleep accessories can match their casual wear, Oeuf is also selling PSFC-inspired alpaca pillows stuffed into the shape of apples, broccoli, cauliflowers, eggplants and radishes.

Wepler, Oeuf’s spokeswoman, assures customers that all food clothes and accessories are hand-knit at a happy Bolivian co-op with democratic values similar to those of the PFSC.

“Oeuf is partnered with over 400 women in Bolivia to create a unique collection and a sustainable flow of income that ensures them fare wages, schooling for their children and healthcare for their families. Each piece is Fair Trade. The knitters who make these pieces work in self-managing groups, making decisions as a democracy.”

The Brooklyn Paper interviewed some PSFC members about the likelihood of them picking up one of the collection’s $70 egg berets.

“I wouldn’t dress my kids in that,” Parker Lutz, mother of two, told the paper. “The egg hat is cute — but it’s a little too cute.”

Ella Brians, on the other hand, said she couldn’t resist. “My husband would probably kill me, but I would,” she said.