Based in a small town in southwestern Germany, Celine Bukulow is a creative force balancing motherhood with a multifaceted career in fashion. A stylist, content creator and Head of Social at Spilled Milk, she has spent nearly a decade shaping a distinctly playful, colour-driven aesthetic rooted in slow fashion and thoughtful design. Alongside her work in childrenswear, Celine is also the founder of her own jewellery label, known for its joyful, expressive pieces and creative collaborations.
Now a mother of two daughters, Apollonia and Dalia, her approach to style has evolved into something more intuitive and joy-led, blending comfort with bold prints, texture and personality. Through her growing Instagram community, she shares a curated yet refreshingly honest glimpse into family life, creativity and getting dressed with children in tow.
Here, she talks to Absolutely Mama about her journey into fashion, how motherhood has shaped her personal style, and why dressing little ones should always be fun.
Inside the Colourful World of Celine Bukulow: Motherhood, Style and Slow Fashion
How did you get into fashion and styling, and how did that evolve into what you’re doing now?
I’ve been working in fashion for quite a while now… I’d say around 9–10 years. I started out with window displays and styling and over time I developed a strong interest in fashion design. I began learning more about fabrics, taught myself how to sew and became especially drawn to sustainable and slow fashion!!
My interest in textile origins, especially those connected to the Silk Road, led me to build my own network within the textile industry, which has been such an interesting journey. From there, I started designing, creating my own patterns, and producing garments, both independently and with manufacturers.
In 2019, I launched my own jewelry label and had the opportunity to work with amazing creators, stylists, celebrities and magazines. All of this happened before I became a mom for the first time.
Then COVID hit, followed by lockdowns and in 2021 I became a mother, which naturally shifted my priorities for a while, I welcomed my second daughter in 2023 and slowly found my way back into the creative and styling world – especially in the world of children’s wear and kids brands.
Over time, I organically built a community on Instagram and now collaborate and work with brands to concept, style and create shoots, lookbooks and content. Since March, I’ve been part of the Spilled Milk team, where I lead social media and influencer collaborations — truly a DREAM role!! I love connecting and working with other inspiring moms!
And right now, I’m also working on something very special!! Together with the Spanish slow fashion label Gingham Palace, I’ve designed a mom and kids collection. It’s incredibly exciting and I can’t wait to share more about it soon!
We love your style! Has the way you dress changed since becoming a mum, and if so, how?
Since becoming a mom, my style has definitely shifted, comfort is key these days. I’m all about easy, relaxed pieces that don’t feel restrictive, especially when life gets busy with kids.
But I still love having fun – colors, stripes, prints and mixing different fabrics are such a big part of my personal style! And also playing with fun accessories!!
My girls are definitely my biggest inspiration. I’d honestly wear everything in their closets myself and sometimes their outfits even end up inspiring my own looks.
How do you approach dressing your daughters?
I love mixing prints and colors! My eldest (5 years old) already has a strong interest in fashion and styling and really enjoys putting her own looks together in the morning. It’s always fun, playful and full of color.
What are your favourite brands or shops right now, for you and for the kids?
When it comes to kids fashion, I’m really drawn to brands like Bebe Organic, Flöss, Konges Sløjd, Maison Mangostan, Ziggy Zaza and Louise Misha. And of course everything at Spilled Milk!!
For myself, some of my favorites are Gingham Palace, La Veste, Leset, Damson Madder, Sea New York and Faithfull.
What inspired you to start your Instagram and share your style and family life online?
It all started very naturally. I’ve always loved taking photos and sharing little snippets of our life – especially outfit details and small moments in between.
Over time, a lovely little mom community has grown here, which I’m truly grateful for! It means a lot to be able to connect and exchange with other moms from all over the world. And sometimes, it’s simply a beautiful place to find inspiration, do little DIY projects, or share our pancake parties.
How do you balance showing your family life (especially your kids) while maintaining privacy and authenticity on social media?
I think about this quite often. I try to protect their privacy as much as possible and not share anything too personal.
My content is mostly focused on inspiration – things like the girls outfits or ideas for toys and kids rooms. Anything beyond that, especially when it comes to more private aspects of their lives, doesn’t feel right for me to share!
Are there any parts of Instagram you struggle with, or find tricky?
Instagram is such a small window into real life and naturally we tend to share the most beautiful, curated moments when everything is tidy and looks just right. It can sometimes feel mentally overwhelming, because it makes you think that everyone else’s life is always so perfect, clean and put together.
But I always try to remind myself that this isn’t the reality. Real life is so much messier, louder, and more chaotic than what we see online… And luckily, there are more and more creators who show the real, chaotic side of motherhood on Instagram and that feels so important and refreshing!
What are the things you love most about motherhood?
Endless love!! My kids inspire me daily, to be more creative, to begin new things and to tap back into a kind of playfulness – they also give me the chance to experience childhood again in a different way.
And finally what are your top five styling tips for little ones?
- Dopamine dressing is everything!
- I love mixing colors, patterns and different textures
- Fun accessories! My girls love statement pieces that really stand out
- A great pair of shoes makes such a difference! We love Bisgaard and Pepe Shoes – they’re not only super comfortable and great for little feet, but also really chic and elevate every outfit!
- Most importantly, I think fashion shouldn’t be taken too seriously. Kids outfits should be fun and above all, comfortable!!!
