KIDS WORLDWIDE X FP

Drawing – And Wearing – Mindfulness

By: Carrie Yotter

A discussion with Kids Worldwide founder Robbie Kingsmill Stuart, about this limited-edition loungewear collaboration.

Robbie Kingsmill Stuart is “SOOO excited” to discuss her newest collaboration, a limited-edition loungewear collection that depicts the artwork of kids from the greater New York area. As founder of Kids Worldwide (KWW), an apparel brand whose mission focuses on supporting, nurturing and empowering area youth, Robbie and her newfound partnership with Free People exemplifies a “true labor of love.” Using the prompt of “mindfulness,” a group of kids drew their interpretations via a workshop led by NY nonprofit RIVER FUND, which was then transferred onto a 100% cotton hoodie, joggers, and a sleep tee. Below, Robbie goes deeper into KWW’s meaningful mission and process, and this oh-so-special collaboration.

FREE PEOPLE:
Was there a specific moment/event that led to the creation of Kids Worldwide? If so, what was it?

Robbie Stuart: Through volunteering at the RIVER FUND (in the food pantry line) one Saturday morning in 2018, I was really inspired by the founder of the RIVER FUND, Swami Durgas Das. Watching him devote his whole life to helping others inspired me to strive to do more. One of the things that Swami has always said is: in order to break the cycle of poverty, we have to focus on the youth. I thought to myself, ‘how can I do more and use my experience to provide opportunities for youth?’ That is when the idea came to mind, which started as educational art workshops prior to us launching apparel to go alongside it. We have been doing the workshops since 2018, and launched our first capsule collection in October 2020.

FP:
RIVER FUND is undoubtedly an invaluable partner in your mission. How did you connect, and then establish your workflow?

RS:
My husband and I were introduced to the RIVER FUND in 2012. We started volunteering there during Hurricane Sandy, and were both immediately drawn to the organization and Swami. What they do is so profound and they really stand by their mission of truly taking poverty personally. They know a lot of the families by name, and really offer them love and support in times of great hardship. When I first volunteered I remember leaving and immediately breaking down. I was so emotional after witnessing firsthand the reality and severity of poverty in our own backyard. At the same time I was so moved by the devotion that all the RIVER FUND members give to these people who are facing incredibly tough times.

After years of volunteering, one day after I worked the pantry line I had a meeting with Swami where I pitched the idea and he said, “Far out, when can we start?” The RIVER FUND is so warm, accepting and open so we partnered to establish what works with the youth and have evolved and collaborated with them ever since. The RIVER FUND really is a family and any one who is a part of it feels that way.

FP:
Tell us a little bit about how the sales of your KWW collections benefit the greater NY community.

RS:
When I set out to start Kids Worldwide, our mission was (and has always been) to provide access, education and opportunities to the kids we work with. We strive for our educational programming to provide experiences and opportunities for kids, to learn from different people and gain new perspectives. We hope to make their worlds a little bigger and maybe one day help them get their first job. :)

We frequently involve the kids, by asking them what their interests and, in turn, bringing in in different leaders based on what the kids would like to learn.

In addition to our programming, we give back a portion of profits to the RIVER FUND and the youth involved in our workshops. The RIVER FUND takes a “family by family approach” which we have adopted in regard to donation allocations. We assess the families' needs and donate funds specific to the individual kids' needs. To date, with the donations provided, we have helped pay rent, buy a PS5, music equipment, a laptop and a few other things.

FP:
What’s a day at the workshop look like?

RS:
It is FUN, casual, open and HAPPY! We start with a 20- to 30-minute lesson, led by an industry expert on a chosen topic for that day, and then we open up the workshop to the kids to draw what they learned. We play music, we laugh, we chat!

FP:
How do you/kids choose what subjects they depict in their art?

RS:
We bring in different thought leaders to lead workshops on a variety of topics so the drawings come from whatever the topic of that specific workshop is. It is always cool to see what the kids learned from each lesson and how they translate what they learned into art.

FP:
For our mutual collaboration, the theme was “mindset.” How did the kids react, and can you share a few thoughts about what you saw/heard from them as they worked?

RS:
One of the kids was asked by workshop leader Zoe Paliare to share an example of facing and overcoming disappointment. The child said that he wanted to become a better artist; though he continues to practice consistently, sometimes the art doesn't come out how he wants and he gets frustrated. But, instead of giving up, he keeps on drawing and pushing through.

This was a perfect example of having a positive mindset and not giving up, even when you really want to. Zoe said that temporary defeat is not permanent failure, and for kids to recognize this at a young age would only make them stronger. This was so powerful, to hear them think this way.

It was really cool to see the kids writing out affirmations and drawing things that made them feel happy and more positive. They are all incredibly creative, smart and talented kids.

FP:
What does this partnership mean to you?

RS:
This partnership has been a true labor of love. Free People meaningfully reached out to us over two years ago and it has been such an organic and collaborative process from day one.

It is so incredible for us in our brand journey to partner with Free People. It is really a game changer for us, in order to spread our message. We are incredibly thankful and honored.

FP:
Do the kids have an overall favorite medium with which to work?

RS:
They love markers and crayons. We haven’t yet introduced painting because of the cleanup aspect, but in a future workshop I would like for them to paint on their own canvases with a fine artist to lead them.

We are also working on wallpapering one of the RIVER FUND walls, covering it in the kids' artwork.

FP:
How can greater NY-area kids become part of Kids Worldwide?

RS:
Please reach out to us directly at kids@kidsworldwide.shop – we are always looking for people to get involved. The more, the merrier!