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Local fashion designer Pearl Lowe has launched a new range of children's wear called Petite.

The clothes, all individually designed and made by seamstresses, were inspired by the circus, something Pearl has always loved. She recently held a fashion shoot for the range at Babington House, a hotel and spa country club near Frome.

"It was such an amazing day. We had lots of children. They were all playing around in the open air, dressing up, having fun. It really was something special," said a smiling Pearl. "With social media, laptops, iPads, phones and technology, children don't spend enough time just playing make-believe.

"When I was young I used to love dressing up. We used to make up our own plays and play different characters, it was very imaginative. My children's clothes reflect this time past, when children used to dress up and play outdoors.

"My children were always dressing up. That is how they were brought up. I love fancy dress myself. My son Alfie spent most of his young life in fancy dress.

"The clothes in my new range are all made with beautiful fabrics, and when the children grow out of them you can hang them on a lovely silk coat hanger and have them forever. They really are something special to be kept forever."

Largely a luxury clothing and dress-up collection with extraordinary vintage-inspired costumes made using silk, colour, tulle and sequins, Petite is all about fun and adventure. All of the pieces are designed and produced in Britain.

Designing is in Pearl's DNA. She said: "From as early as I can remember, I've always loved creating. As a child, I'd customise my own clothing for the thrill of knowing that I was wearing a one-off creation. By the age of 10 I'd already designed my first collection, which was sold in my mother's boutique in Covent Garden. I've never forgotten the amazing feeling I felt, seeing the clothes I'd designed, hanging there on the rails."

Turning the Petite concept into a reality started with the purchase of a pink sequined fabric, which Pearl made into "cabaret curtains" for her 10-year-old Betty's room. They were lined with a beautiful silk, which provided Pearl with the instant inspiration for the collection. Further inspiration came from circuses of the 1900s, and Cecil Beaton, the English fashion, portrait and war photographer who won an Academy Award for his stage and costume designs.

"It's hard to find clothes for children that are a little bit different," said Pearl. "I'm quite flamboyant and so is my husband. I wish someone was designing sequined capes and harlequin leotards when my kids were younger. I love creating pieces that enable kids to create a magical fantasy world where their imaginations can run riot.

"I love dressing up. I always wear dresses and heels and I love my make-up and lipstick. I belong to an era when women dressed up all the time, not just for going out somewhere special.

"I always like to dress well. When I was on stage as a singer I made sure to wear beautiful clothes and make-up; that is what people want to see. I always had my heels, my lipstick and my black eyeliner.

"I was definitely born in the wrong era. My favourite period is the 1930s when women really knew how to dress up. They didn't just turn up in jeans and dark clothes."

Since moving to Somerset from her native London ten years ago, she has embraced living in the country with her husband, former drummer and vocalist with hit '90s band Supergrass, Danny Goffey, and three of her four children, Alfie, 19, 16-year-old Frankie and Betty, 10. Her eldest daughter Daisy, 26, is a successful fashion model.

Pearl loves living in Frome, and loves shopping in Bath. She said: "My favourite shop in Bath is Susannah on Broad Street. I absolutely love it, and I go there every time I come to Bath. The shop has the most beautiful things."

Susannah is well known for its vintage stock of antiques, textiles, hand-made cushions and vintage fabrics, and is loved by fashionable people from all over the country.

"My boys (Alfie and Frankie) love Urban Outfitters and All Saints in Bath, and I also like Square, where I buy beautiful designer clothes. And I absolutely love Space NK," said Pearl. "I love Bath. I love the architecture. It really is a beautiful city and I've always loved it. It's great living so close.

"Frome has become quite trendy. It has really changed in some ways since we moved here 10 years ago, but in other ways it has not changed at all. I love living in the country. I love my house. It was built in 1810 and it's really beautiful. But sometimes I find living in the country a bit too quiet.

"I miss London sometimes. I miss being able to get takeaways late at night, or I miss going to the ballet and all the cultural activities. Everything closes early in the country, it's really quiet. It takes a bit of getting used to. I sometimes miss the hustle and bustle of the city.

"When we go away on holiday we go to busy cities as it is a huge contrast to where we live. We go to Istanbul or Morocco, somewhere where there is a lot going on.

"I do love living in the country, but what people don't realise is you spend so much of your time in the car driving around. I clocked up 25,000 miles in six months.

"I love living in Somerset but sometimes I think I would like to buy somewhere small abroad where I can just jump on a plane and get some sunshine. I find the weather very dreary at times. I really need the sunshine, it makes me happy."

As well as children's fashion, Pearl Lowe has a Lifestyle collection of home products including her famous lace curtains, vintage textiles and her own range of candles.

She's also an interior designer for private clients, when she specialises in her signature love of all things vintage - from clothing and textiles to furniture and decoration. Pearl has worked on homes owned by a host of famous names, all wanting their own version of her design philosophy.

After leaving school, she chose music over fashion and was the lead singer of '90s indie band Powder, during which time she had a baby and three more to follow. As her children grew up, Pearl wanted to carve out a career for herself that would provide her with more time with her children, so she returned to her original passion for design.

Best known for her love of vintage interiors and fashion, Pearl has created her own unique design signature, which is both traditional yet brought up to date with elements that hint at glamour.

In 2001, she launched Pearl Lowe Interiors, selling lace curtains, cushions and

bedspreads. Lace curtains led to lace dresses and in 2006, her designs were sold at Liberty and independent boutiques. In 2009, Pearl designed a capsule range of dresses for the high street chain Peacocks (which sold out within 24 hours).

In 2013, she launched her first interiors book, Pearl Lowe's Vintage Craft, which saw her bring her styling advice to a wider audience and also produced Sweetness and Light in 2014, a healthy eating recipe book with her eldest daughter, Daisy.

In October 2015, Pearl launched Petite, her luxury clothing collection for girls, at Harrods and 2016 sees the launch of Pearl Lowe Candles. In 2017, she plans to launch candles and fragrances for children as well as a range of soft furnishings.Read more at:long formal dresses