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New York International Gift Fair: Still Green - Part I "Do you know a company that sells organic layette wear?" asked a retailer I chatted with at the New York International Gift Fair (August 11-16, 2007). Another buyer piped in with "That's all my clients want now! Organic, organic, organic!" I knew of several manufacturers who produce "green" items and, walking through the show, a process that took three days and sent me from the Javits Center, to the New York Piers and off to the Metropolitan Pavilion (18th Street in Chelsea), I found one vendor after another who specialized in Fair Trade, organic wares. While modern design in all areas is still the predominant look at this trade fair, there's a softening of motifs that take a step back to more innocent times.
APPAREL BELLA BLISS Homebase: Lexington, KY DESIGNER: Lisa McLean Sizes: Layette to 12 years; Wholesale prices: Contact manufacturer Theme: Traditional gift items Bella Bliss features items that define the gift market: hand-knit sweaters with animal motifs, cotton knit layette pieces and blouses and jumpers with a conservative bent.
Favorites: A jumper, especially one in a rich shade of cocoa, makes the ideal foil for a cursive monogram. The look is perfect for holidays and school photos. Tel: 866-846-5295 E-mail: blisscollection@speedbeam.com
DUC'STAR LINENS Homebase: Antioch, TN DESIGNER: Duc Le Sizes: 6 months to 6 years; Wholesale prices: $10-$20 Theme: Handmade, classic smocked dresses Duc Le's family in Vietnam hand-smocks each of the charming cotton and linen dresses. They're ideal for traditional boutiques, and you can't beat the price!
Favorites: All the smocked detail on the dresses is adorable, but this piece with the mother and baby birds is enchanting. Tel: 615-833-3110 E-mail: dslinens@aol.com
HATLEY Homebase: Burlington, VT DESIGNER: Nick Oldland Sizes: 3 months to 14; Wholesale prices: $4.75-$21 Theme: "Get clothes to nature" Hatley manufactures ultra soft, richly colored, 100 percent organic cotton underwear, pajamas, sweaters and rainwear patterned with playful animal motifs. Their commitment to the environment extends to hang tags printed on recycled, unbleached paper and biodegradable shipping packaging. Their boys' selection is a better boutique's dream.
Favorites: The dusty green and blue coverall with matching knot cap has a positive message.
What little girl wouldn't love the flannel-lined raincoat printed with happy kittens? Boys can get in on the fun with a pale blue ground and a puppy print. Tel: 800-667-2583 E-mail: angela@hatleynature.com
KEE-KA Homebase: Brooklyn, NY DESIGNERS: Kee-Ka design team Sizes: 3 months to 4T; Wholesale prices: $20-$50 Theme: Organic cotton tees, fleecewear, towels and now bedding I've always admired Kee-Ka's organic basics. Now they've added bedding with the same stylized animal motifs and soft hand. Their fleece items too, have a modern, "go-with-everything" appeal.
Favorites: This fleecy organic poncho will keep kids warm on chilly fall evenings and is light enough to wear under a coat when winter takes its toll. Tel: 718-302-9665 E-mail: sales@kee-ka.com
ZUTANO Homebase: Cabot, VT DESIGNER: Uli Belenky Sizes: NB to 4T; Wholesale prices: Contact manufacturer Theme: "Inspired by the bliss of uncomplicated nature and the joy of outdoor exploration." Like all the seasons before, Belenky exhibited a line of fresh prints, saturated tones and lush, soft textiles that mix and match endlessly.
Favorites: The Collectibles collection of leaping fish prints and blooming flowers in vibrant fuchsia, navy, sky and apple green is, perhaps, Belenky's most literal translation of life at the beach. Tel: 802-563-2961 E-mail: zutano@zutano.com
LUCKY WANG Homebase: New York, NY DESIGNER: Emily Wang Sizes: NB to 6 years; Wholesale prices: $14-$30 Theme: Light hearted giftwear Wang broke into the kids' market with a simple cotton kimono available in bright, Asian inspired prints. She's since added a line of sportswear and gift items, but the wrap top remains a customer favorite. This season she's added eight new eye-popping patterns.
Favorites: One cute kimono. Tel: 212-229-2900 E-mail: luckywang@mac.com
TWO OWLS Homebase: Santa Monica, CA DESIGNERS: Mona and Samira Anastas Sizes: 6 to 24 months; Wholesale prices: $5-$14 Theme: Organic cotton apparel for the minimalist Two Owls offers a well-edited collection of ultra soft organic cotton basics for girls and boys. Detail is reduced to a single tone-on-tone embroidered motif and an occasional serged edge.
Favorites: The saturated shades of pimento, fuchsia and deep chocolate resembled the turning leaves of autumn. Two easy pieces: The short sleeve tee with the motorcycle motif (girls can opt for a rose or butterfly) and the "Cha Cha" skirt. Very simple and simply adorable. Tel: 310-453-0088 E-mail: anastas26@yahoo.com
KNITWEAR ART WALK / MY BOY SAM, LTD. Homebase: New Milford, CT DESIGNER: Shelley Hunt Sizes: Infant to 14; Wholesale prices: $10-$23 Theme: Personalized knits My Boy Sam and the company's other divisions are known for knitwear and blankets. Now they've introduced Art Walk's "Love Letters," an affordable line of sweaters that can be monogrammed. (The established ArtWalk line offers twenty sweaters and hats with matching blankets.)
Favorites: What parent wouldn't love a little set like this with the pewter pig buttons and embroidered initials. Tel: 212-967-2918 E-mail: mbsskivvy@aol.com
KINDERWARE Homebase: New York, NY DESIGNER: Jenny Krause Sizes: 6 to 12 months; Wholesale prices: $28 Theme: Fair trade, hand knit sweaters Krause is the first U.S. customer to contract this women's cooperative in Peru to hand knit charming infant sweaters. There are six styles available. All are 100 percent cotton with handmade buttons.
Favorites: The pale blue and cocoa color combination on this cozy cardigan is an elegant choice for girls or boys. Tel: 212-777-5332 E-mail: jennyk@kinderwareonline.com
LILLY ASHLEY Homebase: Garden City, NY DESIGNER: Ashley Murracea Sizes: 3 months to 14 years; Wholesale prices: $8-$18 for headbands, belts and watches, $29 for sweaters Theme: Hyannis Port anyone? Binky, Muffy and Scotter will give this collection of traditional accessories and sweaters a great big Rah-Rah!
Favorites: A navy cardigan with hand knit lobsters? Welcome to Maine. Tel: 516-316-9044 E-mail: lillyashleycompany@yahoo.com
Originally published September 30, 2007
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