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The ABC Kids Expo: Still Green - Part I Parts I and II of the ABC Kids Expo (September 7-10, 2007) report focuses on wearable items. As you'll see, many of the manufacturers are employing organic materials and recycling as their contribution to maintaining a "green" environment. Being a gift and product show, the collections were often lighthearted with a little flash.
APPAREL MARGERY ELLEN BABY Homebase: Old Brookville, NY DESIGNER: Margery Frank Sizes: NB to 8 years; Wholesale prices: Clothing: $5-$48 Theme: Knits and layette pieces for the modernist Frank started with a collection of solid chenille blankets that were a hit with celebrities. Since then, she's branched into streamlined sweaters and layette cotton knits, all with the same judicious use of embellishment.
Favorites: This little dress coordinates with any of her sweaters and adorable knit bottoms - with or without ruffles. Tel: 516-621-8522 E-mail: margeryell@aol.com
CUTE AS BUTTONS Homebase: Freehold, NJ DESIGNER: Yata Deffigos Sizes: NB to 6 months; Wholesale prices: Contact manufacturer Theme: Simple, high-quality layette pieces Sometimes, you want to give a gift without slogans, beading or the season's hottest colors. You look for something simply elegant and, yes, infant like. This is the collection.
Favorites: There are only two details on the wrap top: a decorative serged edge and a tie closure. Why add more when the quality is this impressive? Tel: 732-682-3953 E-mail: info@cuteasbuttons.com
FEATHER BABY Homebase: New York, NY DESIGNER: Sude Peta Sizes: NB to 4 years; Wholesale prices: $9.50-$38 Theme: Just sweet enough, just hip enough quality kids clothing Peta's eye for color and the one or two details that make a garment innocent without edging into sweetness is her strong suit.
Favorites: Electric blue is a happening color this season. Peta takes the hue down a notch on this comfortable smock, making it easier on the eye. The sundress is an ideal example of Peta's style: Tiny, go-with-everything prints and a touch of whimsy. Tel: 646-485-7314 E-mail: joe@featherbaby.com
MIYIM Homebase: Brooklyn, NY DESIGNERS: The MiYim design team Sizes: NB to 12 months; Wholesale prices: $10-$12 Theme: Organic cotton layette pieces in quiet earth tones MiYim is known for a line of adorable dolls and toys in rich neutral colors. This collection of soft organic clothing for babies has a similar palette and understated appeal.
Favorites: Has cocoa and cream ever looked as fresh? Tel: 718-389-8233 E-mail: petriehahn@hosungny.com
RIGHT BANK BABIES Homebase: Los Angeles, CA DESIGNER: Ellen Uvarowicz Sizes: Infant to 6 years; Wholesale prices: $20-$23 Theme: "Distinctively hip clothing for baby and toddler up to six years old." Uvarowicz's "Flip-Flop Frocks" reverse from one hip cotton print to another. The pattern's retro feel and colors give the clothing an appealing collage effect.
Favorites: Two views of the reversible romper. Tel: 323-217-6666 E-mail: sales@rightbankbabies.com
SWEET COTTONS Homebase: Miami, FL DESIGNER: Studio Danielle Sizes: NB to 5 years; Wholesale prices: $3.50-$60 (average price: $8) Theme: Peruvian Pima cotton layette and tot wear in creamy, sherbet tones
Favorites: This dress has everything a traditional little frock should possess and more: The hand of the cloth feels like silk. Tel: 800-499-3319 E-mail: info@sweetcottons.com
BEARHANDS & BUDDIES Homebase: Little Ferry, NJ DESIGNERS: The Bearhands & Buddies design team Sizes: Toddler; Wholesale prices: contact manufacturer Theme: "Be environmentally friendly with your friends from the environment." Bear Hands is known for hats and accessories adorned with stuffed animals. Now they're recycling denim and using the goods for a variety of totes and aprons.
Favorites: This soft denim is versatile enough to keep the little one clean while they're finger painting and provides a pouch for a tiny animal friend, too. Tel: 877-805-9898 E-mail: info@bearhands.net
DECAF PLUSH Homebase: Los Angeles, CA DESIGNER: Kimberly Murray Sizes: 3 months to 6 years; Wholesale prices: $16-$29 Theme: "Colorful and modern appliquéd floor cushions, pillows, dog beds and baby clothing." Murray has a fabulous color sense that she applies to her sophisticated wool felt, velveteen and denim room décor items and kids' clothing. The pieces, vibrant with rich tones and the animal motifs she designs, are childish with a graphic beauty that a parent will appreciate.
Favorites: The pillow and outfits are for the birds and I mean that in the most flattering way. Tel: 323-276-7410 E-mail: info@designcafeteria.com
T-SHIRTS AND ONE-PIECES GLAMAJAMA Homebase: Kyle, TX DESIGNER: Heather Nolte Sizes: 3 months to 6T; Wholesale prices: $14-$27.50 Theme: "Glam clothing for babes." Budding rock stars, mini fashionistas, divas and dudes will warm to these tees, onesies and pull-on pants, each with a touch of subversive wit.
Favorites: Tattoos that sport the word "Mom" aren't for swearing sailors anymore. As you can see, the edgy message of love works just right for babes of all ages. (The one-piece has a silver lame ruffle on the tush.) Tel: 512-275-6285 E-mail: sales@glamajama.com
BABYSNAPS Homebase: Sherman Oaks, CA DESIGNER: Vanessa Mahler Sizes: Onesies: NB to 12 months; Tees: 2-5/6; Wholesale prices: $15 and $21 Theme: "Easy to use detachable sleeves and leggings mean one outfit can go from a sunny afternoon to a cool evening in a snap!" And you thought you'd seen every T-shirt in the marketplace!
Favorites: Here's one more way to make life with baby easier: The day gets warm or too much strained peas mess up the sleeves, snap them off. Ditto for the legs. A great concept only works though, if the items have hanger appeal, and these tees, with hip monkey graphics, certainly do. Tel: 310-890-0983 E-mail: Vanessa.mahler@ontrendapparel.com
NURSERY RHYME TEASE Homebase: Fountain Valley, CA DESIGNER: Heather Sievers Sizes: 6 months to 5/6; Wholesale prices: $8-$17 Theme: "Read it and wear it." Sievers is the creator of the well known "Time Out Spots," the mats that take the sting out of the ritual. The new Nursery Rhyme Tease come with a T-shirt printed with a familiar nursery rhyme "E I E I O" or "Old MacDonald had a farm," for instance. The child can wear the top while reading the coordinating book. The set comes in a snap-flap vinyl case for easy gift giving.
Favorites: Here are two cute examples. Tel: 714-856-6889 E-mail: heather@nurseryrhymetease.com
PIXEL MODERN PIECES Homebase: Los Angeles, CA DESIGNER: Shannon Svensrud Sizes: NB to 18 months; Wholesale prices: $5.50-$27 Theme: Good for babies, good for the earth This company is truly committed to Fair Trade, earth friendly products. To their collection of modern bedding, they've added organic T-shirt and pants sets with their own brand of fresh color and simple graphics.
Favorites: The outfits are as eye-catching in the box as they are on the baby. And the hand of that fabric is as soft as organic cotton gets. Tel: 213-746-0024 E-mail: info@pixelpieces.com
RED BUCKET LA Homebase: Los Angeles, CA DESIGNER: Lisa Watson Sizes: 3 to 18 months; Wholesale prices: $15-$19 Theme: The new chick magnet A line of edgy yet sweet one-pieces with a literal shout out to moms.
Favorites: The T-shirt in the Baby Chick collection with the adorable "chick magnet" graphic is so original it might as well say "buyer magnet." The chick is flocked to mimic the softness of the real thing. Tel: 310-827-8181 E-mail: sales@redbucketla.com
Originally published October 8, 2007
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