This July, heritage and haute children’s fashion entwine in a collaboration that’s as elegant as it is enchanting. British luxury childrenswear label Pepa London has partnered with Historic Royal Palaces, the independent charity responsible for some of the UK’s most iconic landmarks, to launch a limited-edition capsule collection celebrating royal childhood, British craftsmanship, and timeless ceremonial dress.
Available online at pepalondon.com, in stores in Belgravia and Palm Beach, and at a special Harrods Pop-Up, this new collection is not just an ode to style—it’s an invitation to dress children in garments that tell a story, one steeped in British history and royal tradition.
Where Heritage Meets Design
The inspiration for the collection came from a rare opportunity: a private viewing of the Royal Ceremonial Dress Collection at Hampton Court Palace. Among nearly 10,000 artefacts, one pair of floral Liberty™ cotton dresses—once worn by Princess Elizabeth and Princess Margaret in the 1930s—stood out.
For Pepa González, founder and creative director of Pepa London, these pieces were transformative.
“To see these dresses up close, to witness the craftsmanship and sentimental value stitched into their seams, was a privilege,” González reflects. “We wanted to take those memories… of gardens, giggles, and childhood rituals and reimagine them through our own lens of British elegance and craftsmanship.”
A Collection Steeped in Royal Romance
The result is a capsule filled with subtle grandeur and poetic charm. Soft pastel palettes and archival-inspired florals evoke a sense of nostalgia, while Pepa’s signature hand smocking and delicate organza layering bring in a lightness reminiscent of formal royal portraiture. Every stitch pays homage to regal life—from the silk finishes echoing state attire to floral embroidery that mirrors the manicured borders of Kensington Palace’s Sunken Garden.
One standout? The Royal Mariner capsule—Pepa London’s most refined take on nautical style to date. Drawing from the tradition of Queen Victoria’s children’s sailor suits, the updated pieces feature structured cottons, gold piping, and precision tailoring, seamlessly blending naval history with modern minimalism.
Capturing Childhood in a Palace Setting
In a poetic full circle, the collection’s campaign was shot on the very grounds that inspired it—Hampton Court Palace. The lush gardens and historic facades offered the perfect stage for showcasing clothes rooted in the past, but tailored for today.
The visual storytelling echoes the central theme of the collection: the joy, elegance, and imagination of childhood. It’s not just a wardrobe, but a memory in the making.
Fashion With Purpose
This collaboration is more than sartorial splendour—it’s philanthropic. A portion of the proceeds from the collection will directly support Historic Royal Palaces, which receives no regular government or Crown funding. This helps safeguard treasures like the Tower of London, Kew Palace, and the Royal Ceremonial Dress Collection for generations to come.
Dressing Children in Living History
Pepa London’s new collection is a rare union of fashion and storytelling, where each garment is both beautifully made and richly meaningful. From the geometric parterres of Hampton Court to the joyful echoes of royal nurseries, the collection reimagines the rituals of childhood through the lens of luxury and heritage.
For families looking to dress their children in something truly special, this capsule offers more than just style—it offers a piece of history.
Available July 2025 at
- pepalondon.com
- Pepa London stores (Belgravia & Palm Beach)
- Pop-Up at Harrods, Knightsbridge
