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New York International Gift Fair: Still Green - Part II
SLIPPERS, BOOTIES AND FOOTWEAR DOLLY & DIMPLES Homebase: Cincinnati, OH DESIGNERS: Julie Lazarus and Jenny Brandt Sizes: NB to 12 months; Wholesale prices: $3-$4 Theme: Trompe L'oeil for the feet It looks like a sock with coordinating footwear but Dimples fool the eye. They're adorable, inexpensive and each style or group (they're also sold in sets of two or three) comes in a cute box with that gives the buyer a hint at what's inside: The "Patisserie" for instance, holds a trio of pastel colored "Mary Janes" topped with frilly white anklets.
Favorites: All the styles make irresistible shower, stocking stuffer and party gifts. Tel: 513-533-4333 E-mail: info@dollyandimples.com
HAIR ACCESSORIES ANDREA'S BEAU Homebase: Washington, DC DESIGNER: Andrea Chafetz Sizes: Toddler through tween; Wholesale prices: Contact manufacturer Theme: Feminine hair accessories in luxury fabrications Chafetz shops Europe for interesting fabrics and then fashions the goods into delicate hair accessories. This season she's found gorgeous silks with kimono style patterns.
Favorites: This lovely silk-covered headband not only holds hair off the face its ends tie in a flirty bow to accent a ponytail or bun. A multi-tasker! Tel: 202-966-7004 E-mail: info@andreasbeau.com
COSTUMES/DRESS UP ACTING OUT Homebase: Ocean, NJ DESIGNER: Anna Hazard Sizes: 3 to six years; Wholesale skirt prices: $13-$18 Theme: "Dress-up for dancing" Take a girl's favorite dress up item: the tutu, add a battery operated recording of "Hey Macarena," "Hokey Pokey," or, for budding ballerinas, Tschaikovsky's "Dance of the Sugarplum Fairies" and you've got a winning combination.
Favorites: This dreamy pink "Sugar Plum Fairy Dress" features layers of soft tulle, lots of sparkles and a satin lining for itch-free wear. A Velcro back closure ensures size versatility. A gift a girl will love! Tel: 877-727-0222 E-mail: anna@actingoutdressup.com
WRY BABY Homebase: Mooresville, NC DESIGNERS/CREATORS: Kelly and David Sopp Sizes: NB to 12 months; Wholesale price: $14 Theme: "What could be more fun than zooming your baby around, pretending they're saving the world from the gargantuan zombie beetle from Planet 7?," asks David Sopp. That question is one of the reasons Sopp and wife Kelly are such a success. Their uniquely off-center gift collection has found a home in more than 400 retail venues across the country.
Favorites: Here's David modeling the new "Super" Cape.
Retailers can buy the cape attached to an infant-sized snapsuit (it's too scary to think of this item in adult sizes). Girls can wear the bright orange one-piece with the slogan "Super Cute" and a yellow cape; the boys' one-piece is sky blue with an orange cape and the saying "I'm Super." Tel: 704-660-6955 E-mail: wholesale@wrybaby.com
BLANKETS KUSHIES Homebase: Stoney Creek, Ontario, Canada DESIGNER: The Kushies design team Wholesale price for blanket: Approximately $12 Theme: Clothing, bedding and toys with a playful bent Retailers turn to Kushies when they want to stock adorable, practical gifts that look like boutique wares but sell at a lower price point.
Favorites: The "Ella Elephant" security blanket is easy to care for polyester with a soft, cottony hand. The Kushies Kritter that peeks from the top of the item is made from a variety of textures for a tactile experience. Additional Kritters include a dog, giraffe and monkey. Tel: 905-643-9118 E-mail: salessupport@kushies.com
NOONOO Homebase: Bury, Lancashire, United Kingdom DESIGNER: Jo Ashburner Wholesale prices: $5.95-$19.95 Theme: Ethically handmade, organic "lovies" and blankets Noonoo soft felted lambs' wool pieces have the earthy, white-on-white look that resembles a handmade paper item in a craft's gallery. The arty, tactile collection is exceptionally soft to the touch.
Favorites: With all the blankets on the market, here's one that is truly unique. Mylissa Kapela and Associates Tel: 800-742-7608 E-mail: lynn@noonoodesign.com
SWADDLE DESIGNS Homebase: Seattle, WA CREATOR: Lynette Damir, RN Sizes: 42" x 42"; Wholesale prices: $8-$15 Theme: Swaddling babies for a better sleep Parents know that wrapping a baby tight in a blanket or "swaddling" simulates the snug environment of mom's womb. Swaddledesigns makes the effort easier.
Favorites: "The Ultimate Receiving Blanket" is larger than most swaddling blankets and it comes with an illustration sewn to the blanket for intimidated parents. The wrap, available in ultra soft cotton, flannel and organic flannel, is available in a number of soft solids and modern prints. Tel: 206-525-0400 E-mail: lynette@swaddledesigns.com
BIBS AND BURP CLOTHS BABY STAR Homebase: Portland, OR DESIGNER: Dana Bach Johnson Bib sizes: 14" x 10"; Wholesale prices: $5-$140 Theme: Modern towels, bibs, burp clothes, diaper holders and bedding Johnson designs for the parent who prefers clean, modern prints and fresh pastels to anything flowery or frilly.
Favorites: The large size covers most of a baby's chest, the patterns will appeal to any parent and the item closes with Velcro. All the bibs coordinate to buttery soft "poodle" blankets and burp cloths. Tel: 503 221-7827 E-mail: dana@babystar.com
TOWELS, GIFT PAILS 3 MARTHAS Homebase: Dallas, TX DESIGNERS: The 3 Marthas' design team Wholesale prices: Sold individually and in sets. Contact manufacturer for pricing. Theme: Multi-piece gift items that are at home in better boutiques This collection of gift items is available in elegant prints and the workmanship is top notch. Retailers can order one piece or every item in the coordinated collections.
Favorites: The Moses basket in the fresh apple green print with soft pink piping makes a sophisticated transport for an infant. Tel: 800-553-8058 E-mail: shelly@3marthas.com
MULLEN AND FITZMAURICE Homebase: Hingham, MA DESIGNER: The Mullen and Fitzmaurice design team Wholesale prices: Animal sponge: $8; Socks: $7.50 Theme: An elegant collection of playful bath items, toys and home decor accessories Mullen and Fitzmaurice's collection is the one to source when you're on the hunt for a small token gift or a pail filled to the brim with cute bath items.
Favorites: When you want to pick up a small gift that doesn't look chintzy, this little animal accented sponge is just right. Ditto for the super soft socks in the chic gift bag. Tel: 800-440-1320 E-mail: mullenfitz@aol.com
MULLINS SQUARE Homebase: Austin, TX DESIGNERS: The Mullins Square design team Wholesale prices: Contact manufacturer Theme: Bath items with panache
Favorites: These hooded towel "Tubbies" with animal heads fall under the "must-have-now" category. Tel: 800-538-0043 E-mail: bob@mullinssquare.com
Originally published September 30, 2007
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