Bugaboo Pushchairs – Designer Fad?
Bugaboo prams are massively popular at the moment. However, stylish and pricey in equal measure, you have to wonder whether turning heads is worth the price. The maker, Max Barenbrug would argue that a Bugaboo pram is more about a lifestyle choice than simply a method of baby transportation, but perhaps is simply a clever marketing tactic, designed to part excited parents to be from their hard earned cash?
Since an appearance on Sex and the City, back in the late 90s a Bugaboo pram has been the buggy of choice for many a celebrity and plenty of ordinary parents wanting a more exciting and stylish stroller. And there is no doubt that the trademark Bugaboo design is very stylish. Sleek and modern, with bold and funky seat covers, there’s no denying that Bugaboo strollers really stand out. The BMW of pushchairs, having a Bugaboo is a bit of a status symbol and if you do choose one, expect some green looks from other mums and dads!
But, looks are one thing, a functional and practical pushchair is another – Bugaboo say that their buggies perform on both fronts, but when put to the test do their strollers actually live up to the hype and give you more than all the others on the market?, their lightweight aluminium chassis designs are strong and tough as well as being distinctive and minimalist. Small details, like the reversible handle on the Bugaboo Cameleon pushchair suggest that real care has been put into parent and child-friendly design features. Being able to change your pushchair from rear to forward facing with just the flip of a handle is a perfect time and hassle saver for frazzled parents! Equally, the one-handed fold mechanism offered by the Bugaboo Bee shows that Barenbrug is in tune with the practical needs of mums and dads. So, perhaps the true reason for their popularity is their ability to combine style and glamour with functionality.
Although, perhaps a luxury pushchair, Bugaboo prams are designed to last from birth until the toddler age, offering the perfect travel solution for every age, without needing to purchase anything else; so although a Bugaboo is a sizeable investment, it is a complete travel solution.
Again, the thought and care that has gone into designing the Bugaboo range can be seen in their choice of the Maxi Cosi car seat to adapt the pushchair into a travel system. Maxi Cosi design a fantastic range of infant carriers, with comfy and cosy seat design to keep infants safe and secure. And the Bugaboo seat units themselves have been designed with support and advice from leading pediatricians, to ensure the perfect support for tiny, delicate spines.
Maybe to begin with, the success of Bugaboo pushchairs could have been attributed to clever marketing and celebrity endorsement, but ultimately, over ten years the substance behind the style is what has helped the brand to succeed. Most pushchairs are manufactured by big companies, who employ designers to create their products, but Bugaboo was established by Max Barenbrug, a designer with a vision of his own. This vision is evident through the design of all of the Bugaboo strollers. His ability to combine a fashion statement with practical and useful design features sets Bugaboo apart from the other brands out there.
