About Us

For some time now, it has been our dream to start our own business as a mother/daughter team. We have searched our hearts and minds for the perfect complement to both of our personalities, interests and creative skills. It was after the birth of Erin’s first child, Collin, and when Diane created this silk dupioni christening gown for him that we knew we wanted to make this dream a reality by opening our own children’s custom heirloom garment and gift business, Royal Southern Baby.

Diane Bradshaw has worked in the children’s heirloom garment industry for 25 years. Her experience includes being a designer and production manager for Strasburg Lace and designer and marketing manager for Martha Pullen Company and Sew Beautiful Magazine. Many of her christening gowns and baby garments have been featured in publications such as Sew Beautiful and Southern Lady magazines. Diane has a special love for unique hand embellishment and using vintage laces and garments to develop a one of a kind heirloom creation.

Erin Kitchin has worked in marketing and advertising for 10 years with Wolf Camera, The Atlanta Journal Constitution, The Tennessean, I Do For Brides, Bridal magazine and lastly as a Physician Relations Coordinator for a hospital affiliated with HCA in Nashville, Tennessee. Most recently, Erin’s employment commitment involves the daily duties of caring for her 3 year old son, Collin and 8 month old daughter, Annie Frances. Erin’s passions include home décor and children’s fashion design and marketing.

With much anticipated excitement we are pleased to introduce our Collections of custom designed christening gowns and baby layettes that are the signature items of Royal Southern Baby as well as the other Collections of special occasion heirloom garments and unique classic children’s clothes.

We will be adding additional lines of fine baby and children’s gifts, monogrammed items and services, accessories and stationary soon. Royal Southern Baby will be available for home “trunk shows” upon request.

Tollie Maddox Hankins was Diane’s paternal grandmother who played an integral part in her love for sewing, fine vintage textiles and antique laces. It was Tollie who instilled in her a love of art and design. Tollie was a unique woman with a joie de vivre that was mesmerizing to all who knew her. We are very excited to introduce Tollie’s Times, our FREE promotional newsletter for that special little girl in your life and their favorite dollies. This newsletter will feature playtime stories, craft and sewing projects, teatime recipes, gardening and party ideas all available to download monthly from the website.

We look forward to having you visit us and hope that Royal Southern Baby will be an inspiration to new mothers, grandmothers and anyone who loves children and all things beautiful for them.

Diane Bradshaw & Erin Kitchin

Questions? Call Us: 256.652.7895 | info@royalsouthernbaby.com | © 2007 Royal Southern Baby