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In pictures: Lanvin's childrenswear collection

Thirty years later, children's clothing has become a new world. My own children could easily outdress me. This summer Gucci became the latest global fashion brand to add a children's range to its portfolio, with an international advertising campaign fronted by Jennifer Lopez and her young twins, and a sizeable collection comprising everything from floral-print ballet shoes to pint-sized biker jackets, complete with interlocking G motifs, for ages two to eight. Last autumn Stella McCartney launched her range of children's clothing (some of which sold out within a week of going on sale) pitched at fashion-savvy parents looking for playful, on-trend pieces, many echoing her womenswear collection. So did Paul Smith, whose collection of clothes for boys and girls from birth to 12 is a miniaturised version of his main line. Jean Paul Gaultier followed in the spring. The new season's children's line for Missoni was sold out at Harvey Nichols within weeks of delivery in July. But to top them all, in November Lanvin Petite is launching Alber Elbaz's first collection of 25 'precious pieces' for girls aged four to 10, with precious prices to match.

Lanvin set to launch childrenswear

Nick Rayne from Step2wo on the 4th floor of Harvey Nichols in London has just taken delivery of the autumn/winter collections from Junior Gaultier, Marc Jacobs , Dior (with limited-edition party dresses selling for more than 2,000) and Ralph Lauren , to name a handful. 'Twenty years ago childrenswear was very different,' he says. 'Back then it was only Dior, but now it is hard to think of a single big brand that does not do children. Every season there is a new launch, and Lanvin is the next big story everyone is excited about.'

For anyone who has lusted after the tiered silk and subtle draping of Lanvin's women's collections, but wept at the prices, this latest launch will be challenging. Shrunk-down silhouettes, instantly recognisable to the connoisseur, with bell-cuffed sleeves and even a miniature version of the floral print from autumn/winter 2011, are tantalisingly beautiful, but even without the VAT (children's clothes are exempt), they are only for the very deeply pocketed. And while their washed organza frocks, exquisitely hand-embroidered with crystals, satin ribbon and grosgrain, may not be the obvious choice for a play-date in the park (and have probably been pre-ordered for Suri Cruise anyway), this obsession of global fashion brands with dressing the under-12s is having a knock-on effect on the way we are all shopping for our children.

Stella McCartney childrenswear preview

'Consumers are much more educated today,' Esther van der Paal, one of three bloggers behind the hugely popular babyccinokids.com, which covers everything from recipes for cucumber soup to reviews of the latest children's brands, says. 'Through the internet parents are constantly exposed to new international trends, whether they live in remote areas or in a capital city, so they are more ready to spend money at a high-end level.'

In July she and her partners launched a fashion portal to guide their followers to the best children's boutiques. 'So many people were contacting us for recommendations it seemed like the obvious thing to do.' Visit the website and before you know it you will be browsing what's new at Little Fashion Gallery, with your mouse hovering over a shocking-pink dress by Antik Batik, all pleated by hand, priced 64.50.

For parents, the convenience of shopping on the internet could not be more attractive - how better to look for a new pair of swimming trunks than at home, when the recipient is fast asleep? - and this has become an enormous market driver in itself. 'Four years ago one to two per cent of childrenswear was available online, now it is closer to 10 per cent,' says Alex Theophanous, the founder and CEO of the online luxury childrenswear retailer alexandalexa.com , which he runs with his partner, Alexa Till. 'Any retailer that does well in today's market has a strong online business, and childrenswear is the ideal market, with big opportunities to develop. In recession, polar ends of the market always do well.'

Since launching in 2007, the multi-million-pound business has grown between 100 and 150 per cent each year. 'Globally the big luxury brands are doing very well, and they are all looking at ways to extend their offering. They are recognising that their core customers have grown up and had kids.' So if you already happen to appreciate the value and craftsmanship of a handmade Italian leather Gucci loafer, buying the same for your children is only a hop and a skip away.

It is not only the children of actors and footballers who are being dressed as though life were one long red carpet. This October John Lewis's flagship store on Oxford Street will relaunch its childrenswear department with a 5 million refurbished fourth floor. 'Everyone is looking for newness,' Camilla Rowe, the head of childrenswear, explains. 'While our own brand continues to be our strongest seller, our customers are looking for more design in a product. They want more fashion pieces, and they are prepared to spend if it hits the right spot.'

This autumn, while you are buying school uniform, Vivienne Westwood's new children's jelly shoes may throw you off course. So may the Celia Birtwell babygrows, or the specially commissioned Clements Ribeiro cashmere jumpers. 'We want to become the London children's fashion destination,' Rowe says. From a department store until recently synonymous with sensible, no-nonsense children's clothes, this is something of a sea change.

Further along the high street, luxury fashion's drip-down effect is seen not only in the imitations of adult catwalk trends, but also in the involvement of big-name designers.