Marina Sevier and Chloe Riddell launched Marloe London in November 2015 and their luxury scarf blankets are sold in stores worldwide, including Selfridges. They recently collaborated with Chloe Delevigne and the Lady Garden Campaign. Marina has a three year old girl called Uma and a one year old son, called Leo. Chloe has a four year old boy, Rufus and two year old Cosmo. They met as teenagers but reconnected in West London, where they both live, with their children in tow.
Q: What is your first childhood memory of travel?
M: I must have been four or five years old. As the taxi pulled off from Tel Aviv airport, I realised I’d left my beloved teddy on the plane. After raising the alarm, it was a matter of minutes before heavily armed guards reunited me with my bear; a surreal experience and a dramatic start to ex-pat life in the Middle East!
Q: Where have you had your best holiday to date?
C: Before becoming parents, my husband and I used to regularly escape for weekends glamping in Wales – cosy and back to nature and an escape from the pace of London life. I miss being able to go for long walks pre-children.
M: I have always loved going to Tresco in the Scilly Isles. It is such a special place with or without kids. As a one off, my favourite holiday was my honeymoon in Cuixmala on the Pacific coast of Mexico. It is an eco-paradise. Perhaps for the golden wedding anniversary, I might be lucky enough to return!
Q: Where was the first place you went with a little one in tow? How did it go?
C: We went to my mother’s house in Zakynthos, Greece. The flight was delayed by 12 hours and I definitely did not bring enough supplies as was not expecting this together with a nappy explosion on our return flight during a period of turbulence or what my husband now refers to as ‘turdulance’. I ended up having to use my Marloe as a sarong as my jeans were so toxic!
M: We went to Paxos, an idyllic island off the coast of Corfu. Train, plane, car, hovercraft and a further car made for a long day of travel with a little 4 month old baby! We were woken at 5am every morning but it was worth it. FYI: Gro-Anywhere black-out blinds are a must for any holiday.
Q: How do you find the experience of travelling with children generally?
C: I always expect the worse and often I am pleasantly surprised. My four old is definitely easier than my two year old, who will not sit still. I don’t know how our parents managed without iPads!
M: The idea of being on a train or plane without my children would be a holiday in itself! Travelling with two under three is full on – there are always highs and lows and it is always wonderful to arrive and breathe.
Do you ever travel with your children for work?
M: We went to a textiles show in Paris when we were both pregnant with number 2. By the end of the day, we were so shattered we fell asleep in the station and nearly missed the Eurostar! But because our Marloe scarf blankets are made in England we don’t tend to do much travelling abroad.
Q: Where was your best holiday with your child?
M: For the last three years we’ve had family holidays in Cornwall. It is the best of British and timeless family fun. Ice cream for breakfast, sandy sandwiches for lunch and cream teas. The Marloe really came into its own as a wind-breaker on Polzeath beach!
Q: And your worst?
C: Any scenario when we are all sharing a room because it often results in no one getting any sleep.
M: The day before our flight we had to pull out of a holiday to Spain because of chicken pox.
Q: What is your must-have travel accessory when away with children?
C: Our Marloe London luxury muslin scarf blankets are like a swiss army knife for mothers and children. The list of uses is endless.
Q: And top tips for travel with kids?
M: I think it is always good to be well-prepared and pragmatic. A stash of snacks and an iPad are invaluable. I always have a dummy and bottle for a flight, lots of baby wipes, spare clothes and a Marloe.
What made you launch Marloe in the first place? What was the inspiration behind the designs?
M: We wanted an accessory that was both beautiful and practical. They are hand dip dyed in England and all have our signature scallop stitch edging. They are extra large and soft and make the perfect gift for mother and baby. Each one comes beautifully giftwrapped and can be personalised with name, date or initials.
With summer coming up, what is your must-have Marloe product that you feel would make travel that little bit more comfortable for parents and children?
C: Genuinely, a Marloe London scarf blanket is the most useful item you can have – it’s a blanket, shawl, beach towel, sarong….
Can you tell us a little more about the Lady Garden Campaign and how you got involved?
M: Mother of two, Chloe Delevingne is fronting our collaboration with the Lady Garden Campaign. We have launched a limited edition Marloe especially designed for mothers and daughters, to raise awareness and funds for gynaecological cancer. The idea of the campaign is to empower women to talk openly about their lady parts and not to be embarrassed about going to the doctor to discuss symptoms. Early diagnosis makes all the difference. During April, 100% of profits went to The Gynaecological Cancer Fund and from now onwards 25% of profits will be donated to the charity.
