Carrousel – A Children’s Go Round 

At Carrousel, the Styling Is Strictly for Kids. As Only a Mother Would Know 

Owners and best friends Arianna Da Gama and Jimena Alonso have brought their love of children’s fashion (they have eight kids between them) to their Merrick Park boutique Carrousel. Everything you need for your children – and didn’t know you needed for them – is here. In fact, there are pieces you’d like to see in adult sizes and twin with your kids. 

You may recognize the fashion duo, who were previously owners of a franchised children’s store called Nanos
in both Aventura and Merrick. But since November, they have poured their energies into the multi brand children’s store they named after that quintessential amusement park ride also known as a merry-go-round. 

The friends share the same passion for style, motherhood, and entrepreneurship. Arianna was born and raised in Venezuela and came to Miami 15 years ago to study journalism. She worked in the field of media covering entertainment news. Much of her work focused on fashion writing, which was her passion. She now has three children under the age of 10 and realized her enthusiasm for fashion translated easily into choosing clothes for her children as well. 

Jimena was born and raised in Spain and had a marketing career in both Spain and Mexico before moving to South Florida. She has five children and says her inspiration comes from them – and her love of dressing them. She realized, however, that if she wanted unique pieces she would have to call her parents in Spain and have them send clothes. “A lot of people would stop me in the street and ask me where I got their clothes from,” she says. The epiphany was that there existed a niche here for European kids’ fashion. 

When you walk into Carrousel, it’s a large, pretty space that is warm with vignettes of styles for newborns to 14-year-olds, well curated and merchandised. The brands are mostly from Spain with a few other European labels sprinkled in. Some of the most popular are Nanos, Paz Rodriguez, Martin Aranda, Minnow, and Maileg. Because the brands are European the pieces are bit more unique, and more design oriented, than some of the usual suspects we find here in the States. Prices range from $50 to $100, but there is something interesting at every price point. They also have an amazing dollhouse with the cutest accessories for sale – and a children’s “kitchen” for play while parents shop. 

Walking into Carrousel I wish I had younger kids to shop for; it reminds me of stores I used to go to for my daughter
in New York City. Whimsical and cool, with classic designs throughout the boutique. “In Carrousel you will find the best curation from Spanish children designers because being a mother myself helps me know what parents are really looking for when they want to dress their children,” says Arianna. “Coral Gables is the perfect place for our dream venture, and we love the people who shop with us. 

By: Kim Rodriguez