What started with a teal hat sporting a spruce tree design has blossomed into a kids clothing brand, all designed locally and meant to dress kids in timeless clothes based on the nature around them.

Emme Gagnard and Emily Gifford started Bug and Bird in Loveland around two years ago. Gagnard, who has a background in design with food and beverage brands, and Gifford, who has a background in marketing and data analysis, have spent those years building the company from a line of hats to an entire apparel brand for kids, even branching into some adult clothing as well.

Gagnard said her idea for the business came with the birth of their first son Brecken, who is now 4 years old. She said she quickly became obsessed with dressing him but found a lack of “cute boy clothes” but plenty of dinosaur- or truck-themed clothing. She said while some brands have been fighting that trend, she found that things like checkered designs were overdone.

“I wanted to make something a little bit different,” she said.

She said this led her to the creation of their spruce design that was first printed on the company’s snapback hats. She added the company is even named after Brecken, who they nicknamed Bug, and their second son Dehnam, who they nicknamed Bird.

Over the last two years, Gagnard and Gifford have expanded the collection from the one hat to include beanies, shirts, jackets and pants, among other items, all featuring different colors, designs and patterns.

She said their focus so far has been marketing online and building a social media presence, something that has helped them reach even more people to enjoy their clothing.

“The most enjoyable part is seeing kids that aren’t ours wearing things we have designed,” she said. “It is such a rewarding feeling.”

“It has been a challenge, but also super rewarding knowing Emme created this and it is so, so cool,” Gifford said.

The two said that a main focus for their designs is neutral colors with custom, minimalistic patterns that are inspired by nature.

“One of our goals is that kids are inspired by nature,” Gifford said. “We really want to bring nature into (the) wardrobe, to be able to wear these anywhere.”

Gagnard added she hopes that their clothing can also break down societal norms regarding gendered clothing, since the designs are for any kid and include a suite of options, from more basic linework to floral patterns.

As the company continues to grow, Gagnard and Gifford said they hope they can continue to offer unique styles for adventurous kids everywhere. Gagnard said one day it would be great to see their clothing brand in stores nationwide.

“My vision is that one day people can shop by pattern,” she said. “I want them to be timeless, I want them to be evergreen, (to) come back, especially the best sellers, and people can go (and say), ‘I love that spruce pattern and it comes in a hat and a shirt and a tank top and shorts and socks … and everything.’ Seeing it next to (something like) Patagonia and bringing our unique twist to outdoor apparel would be the dream.”

More information and shopping options can be found at shopbugandbird.com. The clothing can also be found at Marley & Moose, 520 Mountain Ave. in Berthoud, as well as Clothes Pony & Dandelion Toys, 111 N. College Ave. in Fort Collins.