HYDE PARK — The Little Dapper Collection offers super cute bow ties for babies and toddlers. Now the company started by a Bronzeville woman is launching a line for dads too.
The Little Dapper Collection, an online children’s fashion company, will showcase matching father-and-son bow ties at a fundraiser and fashion show Saturday in time for Father’s Day.
The company is partnering with JoJayden Handmade, another local company, for the event in Hyde Park.
The Little Dapper Collection, based in Bronzeville, will host a fashion show Saturday in Hyde Park. [Courtesy of The Little Dapper Collection]
[Courtesy of The Little Dapper Collection]
Organizers are calling the event The Dapper Movement, saying that it’s designed to highlight deserving fathers who go against stereotypes.
“We’re celebrating fathers,” said Genesis Emery, founder and Creative Director of The Little Dapper Collection. “There’s a lot of negative stigma on fathers and we wanted to put a positive light on them.”
At the event, an award will be given to a Father of the Year.
Emery, 29, of Bronzeville, worked in the fashion industry when she had her now-2-year-old son Noah. Right after he was born in 2014, he experienced some health problems and spent Christmas as well as his first two months of life in intensive care at Lurie Children's Hospital.
Genesis Emery and her son Noah [Provided/ Genesis Emery]
She created her company where she designs bow ties for infants and boys through 12 years old. The handcrafted bow tie collections, which can be custom-made on request, are produced locally. The bow ties start at $22.
“When they buy a bow tie, they’re buying it for bigger cause, they’re helping other groups,” she said.
To help families in need, The Little Dapper Collection gives a portion of its revenue monthly to charities and nonprofits that focus on helping families facing health complications and children in need. She also launched Little Hero Bears last month, which are small teddy bears with bow ties. Emery gives them to children in hospitals.
“They’re designed to give children hope when they need strength the most,” she said. “As a parent the last thing you want is to see your child in the hospital. I don’t want any child to go through that and to feel alone. The hero bears help them get through the day.”
The event Saturday will raise money for The Pujols Family Foundation. The show will take place from 5-8 p.m. in Hyde Park at JoJayden Handmade, 1457 E. 53rd St. Tickets are $10.
"We are proud to be partnering with a children’s brand that recognizes the importance of fatherhood and the impact fathers have in a child’s life,” said Wale, founder and CEO of JoJayden Handmade. "This fundraiser is more than just an event to increase the awareness about our brands, but it is an initiative to help raise funds for a local organization [founded by a father] that promotes education, health, and social skills for children in at–risk situations.”
Aside from the fashion show, there will be live painting that will be auctioned off. There will also be a raffle.
To learn more information and/or to RSVP click here.
