What’s all the fuss about the Artipoppe Carriers?
Artipoppe Zeitgeist carriers are currently the benchmark of luxury mumwear. Endorsed by celebrities (Jessica Alba, Gigi Hadid), royalty (Princess Eugenie) and instantly recognised by those in the know, these carriers will set you back anywhere from £300 – £3000. A stylish reinvention of a practical staple – does the artipoppe carrier live up to the hype? And more importantly we ask in this Artipoppe Zeitgeist review – Is it worth the money?
When I discovered I was pregnant this time I was adamant that I would be treating myself to a ‘push present’. A little pat on the back for yet another pregnancy endured and birth survived. Or rather a sweetener to ease the tears, tears and tantrums that would unfold. When push came to shove (pun intended) I had already chosen the Artipoppe carrier as my luxury objet du desire.
Fashion Forward Motherhood
I am a long time admirer of this brand and its mission to bring fashion back to the forefront for modern mothers. As a new mum I often found myself drowning in the uninspired, ubiquitous pastels of baby wares. The idea that fashion forward women, once with child, were suddenly united in a uniform of polkadots and soft hues had always puzzled me. Was it the hormones? Maybe too tired to care? Or was there was a gap in the market?
High Quality Fabrics and Innovative designs
Dutch Brand Artipoppe, founded by Anna van den Bogert, puts these wrongs to right with its trailblazing carriers. With countless beautiful designs to choose from, amongst them ‘Tweed in cashmere’ ‘leopard print’ and ‘Alligator Black in velvet’, it’s possible to spend hours on their website before making a choice.
These baby carriers exude craftmanship and quality that you would normally associate with a luxury handbag or designer shoes. They even arrive in a dustbag in a equally exquisite box which itself starts bidding wars on ebay.
The fabrics used – from organic linen to egyptian cotton, velvet , silk and cashmere mean that prices range anywhere from £300 – £3000.
And yet the brand is understatedly cool, encapsulating an earth mama scandi vibe / bohemian chic. In addition to the animal prints and peacock feathers, the latest drop features yin yang designs and brightly coloured eagles and wolves evoking a feel of 60s Woodstock. So are they worth the price tag? Here is my honest Artipoppe baby carrier review based on my own purchase of the Zeitgeist unnatural Zebra in cotton.
Comfort and Ergonomics
Is the Artipoppe Zeitgeist easy to use?
If you have a baby and require hands free then a baby carrier is a must. The benefits of baby wearing – increased bonding, happier babies -are well documented. But how does the Zeitgeist compare for ease of use?
The design of the Artipoppe differs from most other carriers on the market in that it features a cross strap at the back. This may take some getting used to if you are coming from another carrier. For some the cross strap will makes life easier. The need for someone else to strap you up is less. With most other carriers you would have to contort your arms behind you, pinching your shoulder blades, puff out your chest and inadvertently smothering baby against your boobs for the few seconds it takes to secure. The Zeitgeist removes this faff as the buckles are placed within easy reach at your sides.
Is the Artipoppe Zeitgeist comfortable?
Very. The quality of the fabrics are unmistaken. Even the pure cotton carrier that I bought (one of the cheaper designs at a cool £293) felt delicious to touch. I can only imagine what the velvet and cashmere option are like.
Both the shoulder straps and waistband are padded for extra comfort. The carrier is designed for baby wearing both in the front carry and back carry position.
Who should consider buying the Artipoppe Zeitgeist?
For parents seeking luxury, high-end design, and a real statement piece the Artipoppe is an obvious choice although I have noticed that similarly positioned Oscha Slings at a more comfortable price are starting to steal the brands thunder.
These carriers truly shine when paired with formal outings and for gifting.
Is the Artipoppe Zeitgeist suitable for newborns?
The Artipoppe website deems the Zeitgeist practical for newborn babies from 7lbs. I have to say I remain unconvinced on this. I bought the Zeitgeist when my baby was two weeks old and weighing just over 7lbs. It was clear to me then that it would be at least a couple of months before I was wearing her.
There were two reasons for this. Firstly even after making all the newborn adaptations (changing the setting of the body panel and folding in head panel which acts as a neck cushion) baby was slipping into a compromised position.
A baby wearing specialist once told me that a baby is only safe in its carrier if you are able to kiss its forehead easily. She was so small in those early days that without a booster or infant insert she naturally nestled low in my chest and my babywearing fell short of this expert advice.
This was compounded by the fact that two weeks postpartum I still had a significant postpartum belly. I found the stiffness of the waist belt against my lingering bump also created areas of space that baby collapsed into. If it’s in your price range an Artipoppe wrap may be a better option.
Having said this the Artipoppe site does claim to be approved by the international hip dysplasia institute, so this is purely based on my own experience.
Is the Artipoppe Zeitgeist suitable for exercise?
The Artipoppe Zeitgeist, much like the ergobaby carriers is what I consider a hybrid carrier. It has all the softness and flexibility of a wrap carrier but with with the heavy duty structure of baby bjorn carriers. This makes it an ideal choice for baby wearing exercise. However if you are solely looking for an exercise proof carrier (zero slippage and lightweight) I strongly recommend you consider the Carifit+ (Reviewed Here).
What? spend £300 + on a carrier to get sweaty in? Luckily these carriers are machine washable although I haven’t put mine to the test yet.
What I didn’t like about the Artipoppe Zeitgiest
The back.
I’ve already mentioned that the carrier has cross over straps at the back. I can see the benefits but I have to say I don’t like the look from the back . The straps appear thick and clumsy to me and the safety elastics although I am grateful for the added measures, are fussy and ugly.
In colder climates this is no big deal as a coat will cover it, but it may be worth considering if you are looking for a carrier to team with hot weather summer outfits.
Is the Artipoppe Zeitgeist worth the money?
For me, yes. I always try to calculate cost per wear. Considering how often I opt for carrier over buggy, a carrier is a worthwhile investment. I’d also advocate spending on statement staples that can transform an otherwise unremarkable outfit. Does the artipoppe Zeitgeist elevate my mum uniform of leggings and top knot? – undeniably! (But lets be clear it doesn’t take much)
Is Artipoppe a Sustainable brand?
Artipoppe products are vegan and the company has demonstrated a commitment to evolving sustainability. Plastic free packaging. Products designed to last.
Playground Peacocks
The peacock logo is cheekily fitting. These carriers stand out for their uniqueness and intricacy and are guaranteed to attract lots of compliments.
Would I buy another? 100% yes – (update) in fact I did! I had in mind to go for a more neutral design – maybe petrol velvet – that could be worn more conspicuously for days on end. Of course I got completely seduced by the most eye catching of all their carriers – the Mama wolf.
Crafted in tencel and cashmere this carrier features a bold embroidered wolf by visionary artist Megan Boyd. The image of the wild and protective mother wolf really resonated with me. Knowing my baby only has one summer left of baby wearing, I decided to go for it. At £610, it’s definitely more of a splurge. Was it worth it? Yes and No.
In reality – I’ve barely worn it. My baby is 14 months old and now resists long periods of being worn. However the few times I have worn it, it has certainly had a few double takes. I have had countless pregnant women stop me on the tube and ask to take snaps of the carrier to add to their registry.
What did strike me is the curious pricing of the carriers. In terms of quality there is no difference between my £300 Unnatural Zebra Carrier (pictured above) and the £610 Mama wolf. You really are just paying for the more intricate and current design. This may seem unsurprising, but thought it helpful to mention.
If you are hoping to bag the ‘latest’ design I’d recommend joining the Artipoppe mailing list as new designs are always being released and often sell out quickly.
I absolutely love the new fringed carriers released in summer 2023. There are Coachella vibes a plenty with 70s style tasseling in a vintage palette of burgundy and tan. A festival fashion staple.
Artipoppe Controversy?
The beautiful designs of these carriers may be met with adoration but the price can also trigger a raised eyebrow or two. For a brand that thrives on a campaign of inclusivity and claims to ‘cherish nature, people and animals’, the hefty price tag is itself contentious. Based on price alone, these products are exclusive. (Check out my Artipoppe dupes and alternatives)
There has been lots of chatter recently about Artipoppe and cultural appropriation. Cultural appropriation is when a dominant culture claims features of a minority one such as customs, traditions and artistry. When this is done for profit it can be deemed as exploitation.
With their designs influenced by East Asian cultures and the representation of the peacock feather and eagle – images sacred to indigenous peoples around the world, the dutch brand have been scrutinised.
Lastly the Dutch brand have made their fair share of PR faux pas. In 2022 the slogan ‘Motherhood is Easy’ was used on a tram alongside an image of an Artipoppe wearing mother, and posted to their Instagram. The insensitivity of this slogan was called out immediately and branded ‘mum shaming’ and a ‘trigger for maternal mental health issues’. Mothers on twitter questioned ‘Was this written by a man?’, with the consensus being that motherhood is many things – inspiring, rewarding, life changing – but not easy. Another ill advised move saw the divisive term ‘Breast is best ‘ branded on a instagram post on the Artipoppe official account.
Short of an apology, Artipoppe have sought to rectify these breaches in perceived trustworthiness with the Artipoppe podcast. The podcast tackles some of the issues -cultural appropriation, breastfeeding stigma etc and generally gives the brand a chance to serve its following.
Does Artipoppe ever go on sale?
Artipoppe Sales are rare. However these products have an obvious shelf life and you should be able to find one on most reselling/second hand websites. You will also find people advertising discount codes here. These people are part of the Artipoppe referral scheme.
Once you have actually bought an Artipoppe carrier you are able to sign up to the referral scheme. This gives you a 50€ discount code to share amongst friends and family. Every time someone uses your code to buy you are awarded 50€ off of your next carrier. You can accumulate up to 12 of these 50€ bonuses – the equivalent of a 600€ carrier.
Are the Artipoppe Discount codes safe to use?
The only catch is you are not allowed to share your ‘friends and family’ code publicly. Therefore those advertising on Craig’s list, FB Marketplace etc risk having their account terminated. Artipoppe seem to turn a blind eye to creators.
If you do accept a code from a stranger just make sure the link leads you to Artipoppe’s official website. When in doubt do not part with your money.
Teaming up with a couple of friends and joining the referral scheme could be an easy way to subsidise the hefty cost of a carrier.
Verdict
The Artipoppe Zeitgeist is a stylish, comfortable, and well-crafted baby carrier. Ideal for frequent babywearers who value premium design and materials, though it may feel pricey for occasional use.
I hope this review has been helpful. These beautiful carriers can be purchased here but if you would rather find a less costly alternative check my pick of Artipoppe Dupes.
