Gucci is the latest designer label to debut a children's collection

Italian luxury house Gucci is the latest designer label to debut a children's collection, joining the likes of Burberry, D&G and Dior. The worldwide launch of Gucci Kids is slated for November 20.

Gucci Kids, which will kick off with the Spring/Summer 2011 collection, will include clothing lines for babies (0 to 24 months) and boys and girls (ages 2 to 8). It will comprise ready-to-wear apparel, sunglasses, scarves, belts, ties, shoes, and other mini-me accessories. All the designs will bear a trademark gold teddy bear logo.

Frida Giannini, the company's creative director, told The New York Times that she had initial concerns in designing a childrenswear line given the "sexy attitude and glamour of Gucci." Her solution came from the Gucci archives. Thus, iconic symbols from the Italian label will be scattered throughout the kids' collection, including the brand's interlocking double G logo, images of bamboo and elements of the equestrian world. Classic colors like blue, pink, red, and green will dominate the collection's palette.

Price points will range from 70 euros to 185 euros for shoes and from 60 euros to 1100 euros for ready-to-wear attire. Gucci justifies the price tags by insisting that all products will be manufactured in Italy and be fabricated from the highest-quality materials. For instance, a kid's trenchcoat will be made from soft calfskin, naturally.

American actress and singer Jennifer Lopez and her two-year-old twins were chosen to be the stars of the first ad campaign for Gucci Kids. The photos, shot in Malibu by Mert Alas and Marcus Piggott, show Lopez sporting a flowy Gucci tunic while her daughter Emme and son Max play on the beach in their mini Gucci ensembles.

Another high-end label to have debuted a children's collection this month is Stella McCartney. Stella McCartney Kids, which comprises styles for babies and boys and girls ranging in age from 0 to 12 years, hit stores worldwide on November 3. However, the price points for Stella McCartney Kids are much more affordable compared to those of Gucci Kids, ranging from 19 euros for a baby's T-shirt to 150 euros for a coat.