First of all, let me introduce myself: I am Klára Huszka-Dobszay, mother of three little boys and the dreamer behind the ema design baby carrier brand. The brand was born out of personal need, as no matter how hard I looked, I couldn't find a baby carrier that allowed me to dress prettily or stylishly.
Carry in style!
In addition to paying special attention to ensuring that its products comply with the rules of orthopedically correct and healthy babywearing, the brand also views baby carriers as a kind of stylish accessory.
Klára Huszka-Dobszay
Babies feel truly comfortable close to the body. They are calm, balanced, and develop in every way. In the first year, this togetherness is still very intense; they only distance themselves from us for short periods. Yet, every single minute doesn't have to be exclusively about them. Babywearing liberates you! Personally, I built my dream, the ema design brand, with my babies tied to me.
The beginnings
The brand first started with baby pouches, and I mainly made them for myself, friends, and relatives. Eventually, I fell more and more in love with the mei tai, and this shape remained, because I was completely captivated by its versatility and usability.
Every little detail of ema design baby carriers was inspired by personal experience. For example, I definitely wanted to conceal the sleeping hood, but in a way that it wouldn't be a separate piece that you end up losing anyway—based on a true story. Or, for instance, that the hidden pocket where the sleeping hood sits should close with a magnet, because my baby always woke up to the sound of snap buttons opening. Every small detail is the result of long, long experimentation based on experience. I tried to use new, custom solutions everywhere, even in the tailoring itself, which also aids the versatile use of the mei tai: my qualification as a pattern maker was a great help in this.
My products are handmade in Hungary from the finest materials, mostly featuring hand-dyed finishes. The fabric, which is durable yet delicate, soft, and snug, was found after extensive research. This OEKO-TEX certified 100% cotton canvas material comes in a few beautiful factory colors (black, burgundy, and emerald); the rest I dye from white fabric. The dye is non-toxic, baby-safe, and experimenting with each color is a long, long process.
I started dyeing carriers and experimenting with ema design colors with my second baby. The ‘strawberry’ color (no longer available today), for example, was a big favorite of mine for a long time, used for making both mei tais and ring slings.
I already carried my third baby in the ema design baby carriers available in today's, now finalized shapes and colors: both mei tais and ring slings (the latter was only introduced to the brand in 2022). During this period, I discovered and experimented with new tying techniques and set out to build the brand.
Babywearing consultancy
Back in 2017, I completed the babywearing consultant training at Hordozóház, who helped with the finishing touches. They were the ones who started renting out and selling the now finalized ema design mei tais.
Joined the team in 2021 Judit Egyed, babywearing consultant too, with whom we write numerous educational posts on our social media platforms. We want to educate and assist mothers, and above all, give them confidence in babywearing. In our instructional videos, we also demonstrate the diverse ways in which the ema design mei tai and ring sling can be used. From 2023, free babywearing consultation sessions we also offer, held in the wonderful showroom of Babies on Board on the last Tuesday of every month!
The world of ema design
After creating the first mei tais, I spent a very long time trying to figure out how to convey the „ema design feeling”. I spent a long time building it, then finally in 2020, my Instagram page was deleted and I started over, but I was still not satisfied with the result. Before Covid, I had already consulted with many photographers, but in the end, due to the virus and various reasons, my dream photoshoot didn't happen.
photographer of ema design
In the summer of 2021, I was found by Bata Nini, with whom I immediately felt that this would be a long and fruitful relationship. Nini immediately captured the essence of ema design and shows the beautiful moments that babywearing can offer. She takes pictures that completely convey the feeling I want to evoke for you with the brand regarding babywearing!
With my ema design baby carriers and photos, one of my openly stated goals is to romanticize motherhood! I think it's great that nowadays we dare to talk about how hard it can be. Nevertheless, I often feel that we go to the other extreme and only talk about this. That's why many women hesitate to take the leap, feeling that they might lose themselves through motherhood, they might lose themselves through motherhood, that it's so hard it might not even be worth it.
I don't dispute that it's hard. But the unconditional love, the cuddles, the laughter, the shared experiences we get in return are indescribable and make it a thousand times worth it! And what makes motherhood easier? Babywearing!
The ema design floral and knit collection
The brand's logo was created by my dear friend, Veronika Makkos. She draws my wonderful graphics: when I come up with an idea, she immediately knows what I want and „puts it on canvas”.
Veronika's craft appears on several other products as well: she creates the embroidery for the ema design floral baby carriers and ‘mombags’, and she knits the wool beanies for the knit collection. Whatever comes out of her hands is nothing short of a wonder!
Ema design products
Besides baby carriers, I also make movement-friendly rompers, double gauze blankets, all-swallowing „mombags”, and other small accessories. I have so many more plans for the future, so stay with me!
Aside from sewing, I still do almost everything on my own: designing new products, cutting and pattern making, sourcing fabrics and accessories, dyeing raw materials, administration, marketing, planning and organizing photoshoots, planning and editing tutorial videos, packaging, and the list goes on.
Thank you for being here and supporting my dream and my small business!
Happy babywearing!
Klára Huszka-Dobszay, ema design
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