Amelia,
based in Milan, was a favorite with buyers for
its luxurious fabrications and understated
palette for fall 2013. Two pieces that buyers
adored are the Shiny Corduroy Dress with a
simple silver belt ($50 wholesale) and striped
GEA tights ($13), and the padded Zarina boiled
wool coat with raglan sleeves ($98). Both items
have no extraneous details - the coat has no
collar - and yet they?re undeniably elegant.
(Fits 12 months to 8 years.) For more
information, call the www.drew-ny.com
showroom 718-232-0012, or visit ameliamilano.it.
FALL/WINTER
2013 TINA BARRY EDITOR'S PICKS FROM THE
SHOWS
There's a bit of
the kid-gone-wild in Corinne Rickenbach's fall
2013 Persnickety
collection. She likes a little of this and a bit
of that: brocade with corduroy, unmatched
patterns, lace with everything. It's a fun
"build-an-outfit" approach that ends with a
collage of references: Sixties, Seventies,
Eighties, pairing harmoniously. Two favorites:
the gold lace jacket with appliquéd
circle skirt and leggings. And for the older
girl: a military styled jacket with feminine
floral pants. (Fits 12 months to 12 years,
$20-$80 wholesale.) For more information, call
801-658-0400, or visit persnicketyclothing.com.
Emerald, amethyst,
silver: Inshi Khanna at Cupcakes
& Pastries
isn't afraid of bold color or ornate trims. For
fall 2013, her looks are easy to wear yet
exotic, not a combination one finds in every
collection. (Fits 12 months to 12 years, $22-$50
wholesale.) Call 213-769-8272, or visit
cupcakesandpastries.com.
Even when a
garment is black or animal print, there's
nothing hard-edged in the Isobella
& Chloe fall
2013 collection of dresses and separates. One
can find soft watercolor shades, such as the
lovely tulle vest and dresses with ballet-like
appeal. Chic boucle jackets edged in velvet
ribbon turn simple black tees and leggings into
something special. (Fits 3 months to 14 years,
$16-$40 wholesale.) For more information, call
626-457-8823, or visit isobellaandchloe.com.
Everyone loves
peplum for fall 2013, and why not? It can look
retro or modern, depending on the fabrications,
and flatters the figure too. Norma Di Paolo's
chic lace peplum top dress for Alessia
draws attention to a slim waist and can hide a
bit of tummy too. And who doesn't love black
lace? (Collection fits 4 to 20 years, $17-$70
wholesale.) For more information, call
514-276-0311, or visit alessiaclothing.com.
For the fall 2013
season, A.Bird
worked its signature side-buttoned shape into
tops as well as tunic-length jackets and colored
them in soft sepia tones for an old world
effect. (Collection fits 12 months to 12 years,
$11.95-$63.95 wholesale.) For more information,
call 904-710-3549, or visit abirdbaby.com.
Joy
Cha, who designs the Lemon
Loves Lime
and Gnu
Brand collections,
is known for exquisite use of color and fanciful
appliques. So why is one of my favorite pieces
this white outfit from her new Lemon Loves
Layette collection? That white just looks so
fresh, and yes, there are a lot of ruffles. The
outfit just screams ?baby? in the most
delightful way. (Baby basics fit NB to 24
months, $16-$24 wholesale.) For more
information, call 639-260-7885, or visit
lemonloveslime.com.
FAVORITE
THINGS FROM THE
MARKET
Lynette Damir,
founder and CEO at SwaddleDesigns,
introduces the new Chevron SwaddleDuo, two
must-have blankets in coordinating
conversational pattern and a chic chevron
design. Ideal for baby's layette, the Duo
includes the Ultimate Receiving Blanket, a
lightweight premium cotton flannel for moderate
to cooler environments, and the Marquisette
Swaddling Blanket, an open-weave cotton Blanket
for warmer temperatures. Generously sized and
the optimum shape for swaddling, the versatile
blankets can be used as a sunshield, playmat and
privacy throw for breastfeeding. (Approximately
$19 wholesale.) For more information, call
206-525-0400, or visit swaddledesigns.com.
TB
FALL/WINTER
2013 TINA BARRY EDITOR'S PICKS FROM THE
SHOWS
I'm never bored
with the Mim-Pi
collection. How could I be when designer
Eleonora Nieuwenhuizen works magic with color -
intense color! - mixing electric and bright sky
blues with hot pinks and limes, blends pattern
with pattern; and why settle for one texture
when you can have five? Or ten? From her fall
2013 multi-piece line, my choice for the coolest
outfit: the patterned jacket over the cool girl
graphic tee and fun fringed skirt guarantee a
good time. (Fits NB to 10 years, contact
manufacturer for pricing.) For more information,
call the Curly
Girls Showroom
212-967-6457, or visit mim-pi.com.
China inspired
Tea
Collection
designer Emily Meyer whose fall 2013 line tapped
into the country's exoticism, stylized prints
and unique way with color. Here she mixes
comfortable, feminine shapes with rich jewel
tones and mixes it with different sized
patterns. For the boy, primary tones give the
tee and hoodie a cartoon mood. (Fits 3 months to
12 years, $9-$34 wholesale.) For more
information, call or visit teacollection.com.
This subtly
colored dress is a favorite of mine from the
fall 2013 Go
Gently collection
of organic cotton sportswear. Everything from
the loose, smock-like shape to the delicately
drawn girl and fawn graphic possesses quiet
charm. (Fits 3 months to 6 years, $14-$29
wholesale.) For more information, call
310-980-1104, or visit gogentlybaby.com.
There's a lot to
admire about Amelia's
fall 2013 collection, but it's the color choices
that make it so unique. The Milan-based company
worked with soft green, charcoal and taupes in
both the girls' and boys' collections, so the
pieces look and feel "couture," and have a
modern, unisex feel as well. (Fits NB to 8
years. Contact manufacturer for pricing.) For
more information, call the Drew
NY Showroom
718-232-0012, or visit ameliamilano.it.
Working
with super soft cotton cashmere for fall 2013,
designer Leslie Pitts at Lucky
Jade
fashions easy pieces with playful animal and
vehicle motifs, like this rocket charmer with
the cute striped pants. (Fits NB to 24 months,
$12-$42 wholesale.) For more information,
contact the Thread
Showroom
in New York at 212-801-2387, or visit
luckyjadeproducts.com.
FALL/WINTER
2013 FASHION
PREVIEWS
Isobella
& Chloe
kick-start the holiday season with spirited,
feminine dresses, jackets and coats in jewel
tones as well as softer hues, and in a variety
of fabrications such as velvet, lace, ethereal
tulle, cotton knit and boucle. No wonder the
company won the prestigious Earnie Award in the
dresswear and swimwear categories for 2012.
(Fits 3 months to 14 years, $16-$40.) For more
information, call 626-457-8823 or visit
isobellaandchloe.com.
What's different
about Milbert Kiggundu-Bentham's
Kalulu
Kids collection?
The designer employs kikoy cloth, a hand-woven
cotton textile that softens with each wash. In
addition to draping beautifully, the durable
material's trademark stripes and plaids are
fashioned into bold edging, hems, and a
flattering sash at the waist. (Fits 2 to 10
years, $30-$40 wholesale.) For more information,
call 646-228-1198, or visit kalulukids.com.
Kapital
K takes an
irreverent approach to the overall with
quilting, double pockets, and the accessory no
hip babe should be without: the faux fur-lined
trapper hat (fits NB to 6 years, $7-$25.
wholesale). To see the entire line of richly
colored boyswear, call 973-256-5275, or visit
kapital-k.com.
Think of a spice
market near the ocean, and you'll get a feeling
for Dipali Patwa's Masala
Baby palettes for
fall 2013. To color her Indian patterned tunics,
dresses, and leggings she uses clear spice tones
of chili pepper, saffron, deep rose and inky
navy and pairs them with white for freshness.
For a quieter look, the designer employs breezy
topaz and pairs it with cream. New this season:
quilts, bags and accessories in coordinating
prints and solids for a total Masala Baby
lifestyle. (Fits 3 months to 10 years. Apparel:
$15-$32 wholesale, furnishings and accessories:
$19-$45.) For more information, call the
Tiny
Ginger Showroom at
212-564-9606, or visit masalababy.com.
FALL/WINTER
2013 TINA BARRY EDITOR'S PICKS FROM THE
SHOWS
Majd
Jauhary-Nayfeh, whose Janum
sportswear line for boys and girls, made her
debut at the recent Children's Club. "The new
collection," she says, "is all about having fun
and keeping the wild imagination running." The
kids sure look foxy in the striped dress with
the lovely open back and leggings, and boy's
bold graphic tee. For more information, call
914-433-3264, or visit janumny.com.
FALL/WINTER
2013 TINA BARRY EDITOR'S PICKS FROM THE
SHOWS
Holli Gibson at
LamanBlu's
fall 2013 pieces blend retro touches with modern
ease. There's a little country in the soft denim
dress edged in embroidered ribbon, and perhaps a
bit of Woodstock in the machine washable,
hand-ombre-dyed silk knit outfits. (Fits 6
months to 8 years, $20-$49 wholesale.) For more
information, call 720-837-1452, or visit
www.lamanblu.com.
FALL/WINTER
2013 TINA BARRY EDITOR'S PICKS FROM THE
SHOWS
I'm a fan of Maria
Frallicciardi's
Elephantito
fall 2013 collection for good reason. It isn't
glitzy or trend-driven, and yet her pieces
always look fresh. Take the pink wool coat. The
lines are classic and perfect when paired with
the Liberty prints she favors for separates.
It's a flattering piece that happens to have
great versatility: wear it with any garment -
jeans included - and it will add a touch of
elegance and whimsy. The soft wool plaid dress
needs nothing more than small velvet bow to make
it pop. (Fits 3 months to 12 years, $26-$60
wholesale.) For more information, call
888-776-9541, or visit elephantito.com.
Mother/daughter
dressing can be so cliché: Matching Peter
Pan collars. Coordinating jumper sets. Now hip
moms and their daughters can look tres chic in
Zaza
Couture's Pour la
Femme, a new line for women with matching girls'
sizes, like the pretty jewel-toned Beatrix dress
and child's matching pom-pom-trimmed two-piece
set. (Women: S-XL. Girls: 12 months to 12 years.
Contact manufacturer for pricing). The red, teal
and gold Valentina dresses inspire cartwheels.
For more information, call 214-750-9918, or
visit zazacouture.com.
For readers of my
columns, it will be no surprise that I'm
featuring more of Hilda Yim's Siaomimi
collection for fall 2013. As I've said before,
she's the master of color as well as pattern
mixing, and for this season she's outdone
herself with perfect scale, dusty and rich tones
and quirky, easy-to-love silhouettes. The Mia
Dress features two floral prints, embroidered
ribbon and sweet touches like a bib detail and
drop-waist for a piece with a lot of depth.
Earth tones, narrow shapes, contrasting collar,
cuffs and waistband and and a funky fox graphic
give the boy's outfit quirky charm. (Fits 12
months to 8 years, $20-$55 wholesale.) For more
information, contact the Tiny
Ginger Showroom
212-564-9606, or visit siaomimi.com.
Crazy for color?
Can't get enough pattern? Me
Too! That's the
company that takes the brightest tones and runs
wild, mixing citrus with floral hues and bold
graphics with demure allover patterns, like
these fall 2013 pieces that work better than
Prozac for a girl's mood. (Fits NB to 8 years,
contact manufacturer for pricing.) For more
information, call 514-382-6501, or visit
creationsrobo.com.
As much as I love
saturated color, some collections, such as
Wheat
that work with softer tones, speak to me. For
fall 2013, the colors stay muted, the shapes
carefully crafted, and the patterns on the
demure side. The outfits evoke an elegant
confidence, as if they - and the child who wears
them - expect to be noticed and admired, but
wouldn't dream of screaming for your attention.
(Fits 1 month to 14 years, $3-$45 wholesale).
For more information, call 410-626-1508, or
visit wheatusa.com.
A favorite for
fall 2013 is Stella
Industries' aptly
named tulle confection Celeste, a be-ruffled
stunner with the shimmer of glitter and a
high/low skirt. Did someone say, "Party"? (Fits
12 months to 16, contact manufacturer for
pricing.) For more information, call
213-627-2676, or visit stellaindustries.com.
Newcomer TJ
Hamilton brings luxurious fabrications and
understated design to the boys and girls kids'
fashion market with Sew
Lati Couture. One
outfit that reminds me of the glamorous
loungewear of the Sixties is the silk charmeuse
set in the lushest shade of deep plum. (Fits
boys and girls 2 to 6 years, $19-$99.) For more
information, call 866-283-7671, or visit
sewlaticouture.com.
FALL/WINTER
2013 FASHION
PREVIEWS
Sandra Stollar is
the queen of cotton Jersey, fashioning simple,
beautifully draped dresses and separates for her
Igloo
Island collection,
and, for her Ambition line of activewear, using
the material to make fashion forward,
easy-to-move-in pieces for the gym and beyond.
Stollar says of her best-selling Ruffled-Edge
Dress with Selfbelt, "This piece was too
charming for the buyers to miss," and I can see
why: it's easy, flirty and fun. Leggings with
detailed stitching at the knee and graffiti
prints were a big hit in the Ambition group. The
Motorcycle pattern manages to look cartoony
without garish cartoon colors. And the fit
speaks for itself. (Fits 6 to 16 years, Juniors
1-5, $18-$28+ wholesale.) For more information,
call 212-366-6800 or visit iglooisland.com.
For fall 2013,
Right
Bank Babies mixes
the quirky charm of a Parisian flea market with
a sculptor's flair for form. Checks over dots,
tile prints with tweed, A-line tops over sharp
pleats: designer Ellen Uzarowicz mixes it all up
fearlessly. (Fits NB to 6X. Contact manufacturer
for pricing.) For more information, call
323-464-0800, or visit rightbankbabies.com.
FALL/WINTER
2013 TINA BARRY EDITOR'S PICKS FROM THE
SHOWS
You'll think of
debutantes, wrist corsages and carefully curled
hair when you see this group of nostalgic
dresses from Blush
at Us Angels. Colored in cosmetic tones of dusty
pale pink, off white and sandy beige, the pieces
are treated to a mix of lush fabrications such
as sequins and gold-brushed lace, and swirls of
metallic like embellishment that glimmer without
hogging the show. (Fits 12 months to 12 years.
Contact manufacturer for pricing.) For more
information, call 213-624-4477, or visit
usangels.com.