A Disco in Tokyo

Among guests was Yumeka Miyazaki, who paused from chasing around her sweet daughters Kiiro, seven, and one-year-old Aona – both in perfectly positioned Caramel berets – to reflect on her feelings about the landmark birthday: “Caramel is like a magical toy box. It’s beautiful and colourful. Caramel is so important to our family, it’s become part of our lives.”

It’s perhaps hard to believe that more than a quarter of a century has passed since Eva Karayiannis – Caramel founder and designer, former lawyer and mother-of-three – began bringing to life her childrenswear dreams from her kitchen table in west London.

Caramel made its mark on London in 1999, when Eva opened its debut shop near the Michelin Building in Brompton Cross, inspired by the idea of “changing people’s minds about childrenswear”.

Since then, Caramel has expanded to include the worlds of womenswear and home – yet the values that underpinned the brand from the start have not changed: functionality, longevity, freedom and sustainability all into its DNA, alongside the Caramel aesthetic balancing craftsmanship and comfort, quality textiles and nuanced colourings.

Fast-forward 25 years, and today there are 7 Caramel stores across the globe, from London and Paris to Tokyo – where Eva hosted a special anniversary party on a recent warm Sunday afternoon at the store in Daikanyama’s iconic Hillside Terrace complex.

At the Tokyo party, crowds of mothers and children, impeccably self-styled in Caramel collections, enjoyed classic party treats and bubbly drinks beneath festoons of tinsel and paper decorations as a DJ played.

A highlight was the Caramel birthday cake – a contemporary fairytale-like creation decorated with perfectly crafted cherries, poppies, daisies and roses, which Eva sliced and served to guests.

Among those enjoying the festivities was Makiko Aizawa, who has been visiting the Caramel store in Daikanyama since the birth of her daughter Yuka ten years ago – and the brand has been a constant companion on her journey as a mother.

“I’ve always loved the colouring and the shapes of the clothing,” she explains. “We’ve been coming here for so long, Caramel plays an important role in our lives.”

Her daughter Yuka chan, aged ten, is equally enamoured with all things Caramel, her face breaking into an instant smile when asked about her favourite clothing from the brand: “My stripy pale blue summer dress!”

Another mother Nana Ishii, who visits about once a month for clothing for her young daughter, summed up her love of Caramel in three simple words: “Beauty. Heartwarming. Special.”

These words resonate on a personal level: Caramel has also accompanied me on my own motherhood journey, with my two daughters Kiko Blossom, 12, and May Bluebell, 10, spending most of their childhood living just down the hill from the store and visiting regularly.

Today, the girls still love stepping intos Caramel – not only for the English sweets served at parties but with a growing appreciation for the beauty of the clothing’s colours and textures – as well as the warmth of the space and the staff (plus they particularly enjoy a pre-party dress-up session with Eva).

And as music played, lights sparkled and children laughed, the Tokyo party captured the joy that Caramel has brought to countless families for the past 25 years – as it continues its journey of creating timeless design woven into daily life around the world.