About Us
An RV trip through the USA, two children, and lots of adventure...
In 2001, we embarked on an adventurous, year-long RV trip across the USA, accompanied by our enchanting daughters Flore (then 5) and Liv (then 4). The journey began with the purchase of a used 12-meter-long RV in Washington and initially led partly over dirt roads to Québec, Canada... away from civilization, the swarms of mosquitoes and the solitude eventually got on our nerves so much that we decided to head south.
Our route wound along the breathtaking East Coast. We traversed vibrant cities, picturesque villages, and along the way, we entertained our children and tried to teach them English so they could communicate with other children. The playgrounds along the route were the children's highlights!
On September 1, 2001, we arrived in New York and parked our well-equipped RV directly at the World Trade Center, unaware of what would happen on September 11, 2001.
We left the city on September 8!
After that, the mood in the country changed, and I was very worried about the children. So we decided to head to Florida.
One of the highlights was undoubtedly Key West, where I was appointed an artist for the Sunset Celebration by a jury. In other words, every evening at sunset, we were allowed to set up our stand and sell paintings I had created. The warm colors of the sky and the deep blue sea against the backdrop of dozens of cruise ships, eager tourists, street artists, and not to forget: the Dog Show, where our children, as artists' children, were always the guests of honor in the front row!
Dog BOBBY was the star of the Dogshow and is now one of the most successful motifs of ZIEGFELD kids.
Pirate Paula was also born at the Key West stand! The response was overwhelming.
The sweet scent of freedom and ignited creative energy accompanied us, as did the smell of McDonald's in the Walmart parking lots where we spent the night.
A week in an Indian camp, a week of ballet school in Kennebunkport, and much more were part of it, as was Mardi Gras in New Orleans.
After our return to Germany, I started thinking about a company... That's exactly what we did in 2005: ZIEGFELD kids. This journey to date has been no less adventurous - but I love to travel!
Our vision to offer unique products was soon honored multiple times:
- Selected at the children's fashion fair KOMM for Art in the children's room.
- Awarded the title "Talent" for children's products in Germany at Tendence Lifestyle in Frankfurt.
- Member of the "Kids' Own World" show at Tendence Lifestyle in Frankfurt.
- Member of the "Marktplatz der Ideen" (Marketplace of Ideas) in Hamburg at the Early Bird Fair.
- Honored with the title "Young, Innovative Company" and for "Pimp Your Shop," both for the Paperworld fair in Frankfurt.
Meanwhile, the product selection ranges from Pirate Paula paintings to shirts, stationery, furniture, and porcelain. In 2008, a Pirate Paula children's book with an accompanying audiobook was published.
Together, the girls and I have developed over 70 motifs and characters in the last 20 years. In 2017, we had the chance to get the company back on track, and this time it is completely family-owned. We are currently fulfilling our dream of having Pirate Paula take her first steps in animation and making a film about our story!
Yours, Andrea, Flore, and Liv