We’re so excited to introduce April Kusewicz, founder of Livy Lou Collection, the children’s accessories brand known for timeless bows and heirloom-inspired style.
With its Liberty floral bows, heirloom details, and vintage-inspired charm, Livy Lou Collection brings a thoughtful sense of beauty to childhood dressing. We sat down with founder April Kusewicz to talk about the family story behind the brand, her creative inspiration, and the role motherhood plays in shaping Livy Lou.
1. Livy Lou Collection carries such a meaningful name. Can you share the story behind the brand and how your daughter Olivia and mother Lourdes inspired you to turn a personal passion into a business?
Livy Lou Collection was born during the pandemic, when my kids were homeschooling and my daughter Olivia, always the fashion lover, started accessorizing for her Zoom classes every day. We’d craft bows together in the afternoons, and one day she playfully said, “We should sell these.” That comment planted the seed. The season gave me something unexpected: a deeper connection to motherhood, and space to dream again despite everything going on in the world.
My mother Lourdes, who passed away from cancer, has always been my inspiration. She was a serial entrepreneur, and I grew up surrounded by her businesses and her belief that you could build something meaningful from scratch. Livy Lou Collection became the place where Olivia’s creativity and my mother’s spirit came together, bridging creativity with building a community of families who value those small, meaningful moments.
2. Livy Lou is rooted in creating meaningful childhood memories. Are there any memories from your own childhood or motherhood journey that continue to inspire your designs today?
Some of my fondest memories are watching my mom run her businesses. She treated every client like family, and people were drawn to her because she was such a natural people person. On weekends and holidays, she always found ways to make things fun for us kids, even in the middle of work. That blend of warmth and hustle is something I carry with me every day.
I’ve always loved being creative. Growing up in that environment showed me that business doesn’t have to feel transactional, it can feel like a community. Now, in this digital age, the possibilities to build that same kind of connection feel endless. And honestly, motherhood is what pushed me to create more. It gave me a reason to turn that creativity into something lasting.
3. Your pieces have such a distinctive, timeless aesthetic. Where do you draw inspiration when designing new collections, and how do you translate those influences into pieces that feel both special and wearable for children?
I was born and raised in the Philippines, surrounded by beautiful florals, and that connection to nature has always stayed with me. At the same time, I’ve always been drawn to European fashion and history, and growing up in such a diverse environment shaped how I see the world. My husband is American, with English and Polish roots, and that blending of cultures has only deepened my appreciation for art and design across traditions.
When I design, I always start with mood. What feeling does a print or fabric evoke first? From there, I study whether it fits the season, whether it’s versatile enough to be worn year-round, and whether it has that heirloom feel, something that sits in the space between vintage and modern. I even think about whether it would look beautiful displayed in a little girl’s room, not just worn. That’s part of what draws me to prints like Liberty florals. They carry real artistry and heritage. For children’s fashion, I want every piece to have that timeless quality, something that fits a child’s wardrobe across seasons rather than chasing a single trend. I believe even the simplest outfit can be elevated with one thoughtful accessory. That’s the role I want our pieces to play.
4. As a mother and entrepreneur, what has been the most rewarding part of building Livy Lou Collection while raising a family? What has surprised you most along the way?
The most rewarding part has been the relationships: customers who genuinely appreciate the work we put into every piece, fellow creatives and business owners I’ve met along the way, and the moms and kids who’ve become part of our story. There’s something about listening to people’s stories that inspires me in ways I couldn't have imagined when I started: meeting people in places, collaborations, connections. It’s honestly hard to put into words.
What surprised me most is the depth of those connections. I didn’t expect customers to share their own stories with me, not just buying a bow, but telling me about a milestone, a memory, a reason it mattered. That depth has stayed with me over time.
I also cherish the quieter side of building this brand: my own creative process, sitting down with my seamstress to talk through patterns and designs, watching an idea become something real. In many ways, building Livy Lou has been in alignment with both my creative spirit and my relationship with my daughter. It’s where those two things meet.
5. Many of your pieces feel heirloom-worthy. How do you balance creating accessories that feel classic while still appealing to today’s families?
I balance it by pairing classic silhouettes with patterns that have a free, hand-drawn quality. Take our Rosabelle bow as an example. The fabric carries that timeless Liberty floral feel, but the shape and styling give it a whimsical, storybook vibe, something a child could imagine wearing on a little adventure, not just for a special occasion.
But the balance isn’t only about the print. I design every piece to work for real life, not just photos. That means secure clips that actually stay in a child’s hair through a full day of play, fabric that’s soft against delicate skin, and styles versatile enough to go from a birthday party to a regular Tuesday at school. Today’s families want pieces that feel special, but they also need them to function on busy mornings and active kids. When a piece can do both, that’s when it earns a permanent spot in her wardrobe instead of just sitting in a drawer.
6. What do you hope mothers feel when they dress their children in Livy Lou pieces for special occasions and everyday moments alike?
When a mother accessorizes her child in Livy Lou, I want her to feel like the most elevated version of herself, the kind of effortless, sophisticated woman who has an instinct for beauty without trying too hard. Think understated European chic with a playful, whimsical edge. I want her to feel like she has impeccable taste, a deep appreciation for culture and artistry, and the kind of presence that quietly sets the trend rather than follows it.
For special occasions, I want that feeling to be elevated, like she’s dressing her child for a moment that deserves to be remembered. For everyday wear, I want it to feel effortless, like she has her life together in the most beautiful, unforced way. But underneath those feelings, I hope she feels close to her child in that moment, because clipping in a bow or smoothing down a headband is such a small act, but it’s also a quiet kind of love, the kind a child will always remember.
7. Looking ahead, what excites you most about the future of Livy Lou Collection, and where can our readers stay connected with you and the brand?
As I sit here answering this question, I have 2 Corinthians 5:7 in front of me: “We walk in faith, not by sight.” It feels almost too fitting to be a coincidence. My faith has been guiding this journey in beautiful ways, and I’m so grateful for the peace and clarity it brings.
Looking ahead, there’s so much I’m excited about: growing our collections, expanding into new product lines, and building an even deeper community with the families who wear our pieces. I’m also especially thrilled about an upcoming collaboration with a clothing brand in Paris, something I’ve been dreaming about for a while now. As a mom balancing so many roles, I’ve learned to trust the process. Things continue to come together in meaningful ways, and I feel confident in the direction Livy Lou is headed while staying deeply grateful for how far we’ve already come.
Readers can stay connected with us at livyloucollection.com or @livyloucollection on Instagram, where we share new pieces, behind-the-scenes moments, and the everyday joys of this journey.
