I’m a mum of six and live in a council house – my baby only wears designer clothes & has a £1.7k pram I’ve never used
EXCITED to be leaving the maternity ward with her new baby girl, Le Anne Carol rifles through her hospital bag and picks out a £200 bespoke Gucci babygrow.
Only the very best will do for her daughter Rae who has been kitted out in expensive designer gear since the moment she was born.
She’s now six months old, has a £1.7k white leather pram that she’s yet to use, and a wardrobe worth an eye-watering £8k which is bursting with clothes from Versace, Ralph Lauren and Armani.
And because Rae is always dressed so immaculately, she’s often mistaken for a doll.
But Le Anne, 37, isn’t rich, she’s a single mum who pays £130 a week for a four-bed council house and claims benefits so her six kids are clothed and fed.
She says she goes without so she can keep Rae, as well as her five siblings Pierre, 15, Harry, 12, Tyler, five, girls Leigh, 11, and May who is ten, kitted out in designer clothes and trainers.
And while Le Anne is used to being judged for her spending even by strangers, she couldn’t care less.
“I got shocked looks from other mums on the hospital ward when they saw me pulling out tiny Ralph Lauren, Armani and Burberry baby clothes,” she says.
“When I took Rae home, she was decked out in a bespoke Gucci especially for the occasion and since that day, putting Rae in designer outfits has brought me joy. It makes me happy.
“People moan how I dress my little girl and when I take her shopping I hear women whispering that she looks like a doll, but they’re just jealous. Others tell me it’s wasteful to spend money on posh clothes.
“It’s no one’s business.”
Single Le Anne was forced to claim Universal Credit (UC) in May last year after she discovered she was pregnant with her sixth child.
She developed severe pregnancy complications which meant she had to quit work as an events decorating manager.
But Le Anne was so thrilled to discover she was having a girl – meaning she’d have three girls and three boys – she went on a lavish shopping spree to celebrate.
She says: “I bought a £300 Fendi dress in newborn size and another £275 outfit by Versace. They’re investment pieces and they rise in value.
“I’d saved up for the clothes before I got sick and had to leave my job.
“I’d go without myself to afford designer stuff for the kids and sell what they grow out of – many items actually increase in value.”
Just because I live in a council house and have to claim UC doesn’t mean Rae can’t be a designer-clad superstar
Le Anne Carol, 37
Le Anne has also kept hand me downs from Rae’s sisters for when she’s older, and her mum splashes out too.
“I have a list of designer kit Rae needs and if my mum wants to spoil her I ask her to buy them,” Le Anne explains. “I also have a credit card.
“Just because I live in a council house and have to claim UC doesn’t mean Rae can’t have the best of everything.”
And that theme has continued since the moment Rae left St Mary’s Hospital in Manchester back in April.
£165 pyjamas
Now, Rae has a £400 luxury bespoke bassinet with a princess tent veiled canopy and personalised blankets.
But she has never used the Mima pushchair costing close to £2k which comes with bespoke personalised bags.
She explains: “I haven’t used it yet and it hasn’t left the house. It’s stunning. I don’t quite know what I was thinking when I bought it but it’s rising in value every day.”
Rae’s baby shoe closet alone boasts more than fifteen designer labels.
I go without so she and all my kids can have a designer. No one can tell me what to spend my money on
Le Anne Carol, 37
She has a £300 pair from Gucci, £115 yellow floral print Versace sandals and Burberry checked booties which retail for £170.
Style doesn’t slip at bedtime either when Rae wears a selection of baby pyjamas including Moschino rompers which cost £165 each.
For daywear, the little girl has dozens of baby outfits including a checked stretch cotton Burberry playsuit gown with a £320 price tag, £610 rompers from Fendi as well as Ralph Lauren sweatshirt dresses costing £105.
But Le Anne is clever when it comes to snapping up designer clothes for her children at bargain prices.
The total cost of Rae’s wardrobe comes to roughly £8k, but the mum scours second hand sites for items meaning she has paid a quarter of that amount herself.
“I’m constantly on Vinted and eBay – it’s the secret to designer baby dressing,” Le Anne says.
“Big label baby clothes are in huge demand, and you have to be quick.
“I have alerts on all the top designers. It’s my secret to having a designer baby on a super tight budget.
It’s why I won’t be criticised for living in a council house and dressing Rae in designer labels
Le Anne Carol, 37
“When Rae grows out of a designer label I sell it. Demand is so high I often get more money than I paid for it in the designer’s shop or on Vinted.
“You have to know the market. I am already buying Rae baby clothes in twelve to one to eighteen month sizes using money I’ve made from selling her newborn clothes.
“I spot bargains and that’s why I won’t be criticised for living in a council house and dressing Rae in designer labels.”
Le Anne changes her daughter’s outfits three times a day meaning Rae’s clothes are never dirty and calls on her mum to help out with the washing.
‘Let them judge’
She says: “Any super expensive pieces that need cleaning mum hand washes for me. I don’t want Rae’s expensive clobber ending up in the washing machine with a load of towels.”
Le Anne loves uploading images of her ‘designer baby ‘ to social media and some followers often confuse her with a silicone ‘reborn baby’ doll.’
Fashion tips to make you look rich
Fashion Tips to Elevate Your Look
- Invest in Classic Pieces
–Quality Over Quantity: Prioritise well-made, timeless items like a tailored blazer, a little black dress, or a crisp white shirt.
Neutral Colors: Opt for neutral shades such as black, white, beige, and navy, which are versatile and exude sophistication.
- Accessorize Wisely
Statement Pieces: Invest in a few high-quality accessories like a designer handbag, a classic watch, or elegant jewelry.
Minimalist Approach: Less is more. Choose one or two standout accessories to avoid looking cluttered.
- Tailoring is Key
Perfect Fit: Tailored clothing can make even affordable items look high-end. Ensure your clothes fit perfectly by having them altered if necessary.
- Maintain Your Wardrobe
Iron and Steam: Wrinkled clothes can ruin an outfit. Keep your garments wrinkle-free with regular ironing or steaming.
Proper Care: Follow care instructions to keep your clothes looking new. Dry clean when necessary and store items properly.
- Footwear Matters
Quality Shoes: Invest in a few pairs of high-quality shoes. Classic pumps, loafers, and sleek boots can elevate any outfit.
Conditioning: Keep your shoes in good condition by cleaning and polishing them regularly.
- Monochrome Outfits
Single Color Palette: Dressing in one color or varying shades of a single color can make you look polished and put-together.
- Attention to Detail
Grooming: Well-groomed hair, nails, and skin are crucial. A polished appearance starts with personal care.
Subtle Makeup: Opt for a natural makeup look that enhances your features without overpowering them.
- Layering
Sophisticated Layers: Layering can add depth and interest to your outfit. Think blazers over blouses, or sweaters over shirts.
- Confidence is Key
Own Your Look: Confidence can make any outfit look more expensive. Stand tall and wear your clothes with pride.
By incorporating these tips into your fashion routine, you can effortlessly achieve a luxurious and sophisticated look without breaking the bank.
Reborn dolls are so realistic they’re mistaken for real babies and are in demand all over the world, many costing thousands of pounds each.
Le Anne says: “One friend asked if I had a reborn baby made to look like Rae. Someone else asked where I had got my doll. I thought it was hilarious.
“Rae loves posing, she’s just picture perfect.”
Others tell me it’s wasteful to spend money on posh clothes
Le Anne, 37
Rae already has her own Instagram page, is in demand for collabs with manufacturers of bespoke baby clothes and is listed with a modelling agency.
The future looks bright for the tot and Le Anne says: “She’s a little star. Her brothers and sisters adore her.
“As for everyone else, let them judge.”
Is it ok to spoil your kids?
Dr Julie Lythcott-Haims, author of the book “How to Raise an Adult,” offers her expert advice on parenting, particularly around fostering independence and resilience in children.
Dr Julie said: “Success in life comes from being able to handle setbacks and challenges, not from being protected from them.
“Our children are not our masterpieces. They are their own masterpieces.
“We should focus on who our children are, rather than what they accomplish.
“Let your kids fail. Let them struggle. Let them figure things out for themselves. This is how they will learn to be capable, confident adults.”