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Children's Club Traditional Lines: The Best Kind of Balancing Act Walk down the aisles at ENK's Children's Club (October 14-16, 2007) and, for that matter, any recent children's trade exhibition and you'll see sequins and tulle, layered tee's and tanks, beaded bikinis and Hawaiian printed surf trunks. All of that is wonderful. But, everything in life is a balancing act. Take dining for instance. After a long infatuation with sushi, one might long for a big hunk of steak, or a chicken potpie - anything familiar and satisfying. Classic lines have a similar, "Ah, that's just right," quality as, say, that potpie. Among all the bravado of the Spring/Summer 2008 season, you can count on a traditional collection's clean lines, the pastel or Lily Pulitzer bright color palette, and details like smocking to anchor a child's wardrobe. Below are designers who rarely stray outside the borders of classic styling, yet their collections stay fresh season-after-season. A few intrepid newcomers (marked with an asterik) joined their ranks, adding new ingredients to the mix.
INFANT AND UP: SPORTSWEAR BELLA BLISS Homebase: Lexington, KY DESIGNER: Lisa McLean Sizes: NB-12 years; Wholesale prices: $9-$55 Theme: Timeless styles with playful touches This multi-piece collection for boys and girls features traditional fabrications and touches like smocking that are earmarks of this look. Trendy details such as crocheted trim and tunic shapes are available for retailers who want fashion forward styling.
Favorites: Using Jersey in place of cotton for this pretty smocked dress loosens its formality. Tel: 866-846-5295 E-mail: blisscollection@speedbeam.com
COCCOLI Homebase: Montreal, Canada DESIGNERS: Marian S. Vachon and Johanne Gascon Sizes: Preemie to 24 months; Wholesale prices: $5.50-$22 Theme: Classic styling with comfort in mind Charming knitwear and cotton ensembles are the trademarks of this longtime Canadian manufacturer.
Favorites: Decked out in the season's hottest color combination: gray, white and red, even the most conservative babe looks trend conscience. Ali's Market Tel: 212-695-2300 E-mail: Allison@alismarket.com
CORA IMPORTS Homebase: Montreal, Canada DESIGNERS: Arpy Palaikian and Gerlando Chiara Sizes: 6 months to 6X; Wholesale prices: $25-$27 Theme: Boyswear that straddles the line between traditional and casual This is the collection to peruse for comfortably casual - not formal - boyswear.
Favorites: Two ideal outfits for the odd couple: The hip brother on the left favors beautifully colored shirts and cargo pants. The conservative dude on the right never leaves the house unless his vest and pants match. Tel: 877-426-7240 E-mail: coraimports@qc.aibn.com
*HATCH Homebase: South Hampton, NY DESIGNER: Allison Parlante Sizes: 3 months to 12 years; Wholesale prices: $18-$48 Theme: A fresh eye for boyswear This newcomer launched a collection of boys' separates with an emphasis on beautiful tailoring and fine European textiles. Hip touches like the nautical drawstrings on the pants and a fashion forward eye for color make Parlante's line a natural for better boutiques.
Favorites: Parlante turns the formality down on this gorgeous plaid jacket by teaming the piece with a loose, bright sky blue T-shirt and pants in an arresting shade of red. Yoka Showroom Tel: 212-594-7714 E-mail: caroline@yokashowroom.com
IMP ORIGINALS Homebase: New York, NY DESIGNER: Anita Anderson Sizes: Layette to 20; Wholesale prices: Contact manufacturer Theme: Fine quality classics Smocked pieces, crisp shirts and pants, every detail that defines classic good looks can be found in Imp Original's lines.
Favorites: A little overall, especially one in a crisp plaid, always looks just right on infant boys.
I love the Gatsby quality of this attractive seersucker jacket. The piece is perfect with a white shirt and crisp navy slacks, or, for a spin, it can be teamed with a funky tee and jeans. Tel: 212-563-5510 E-mail: Joanne@imporiginalsinc.com
PRINCESS LINENS Homebase: Norcross, GA DESIGNER: Kathryn Orr Sizes: NB to 8 years; Wholesale prices: $24-$32 Theme: Hand-made children's gifts ready for monogramming Orr's collection of cotton pieces possesses an innocent, country like appeal. Parents - and retailers - love the uncluttered bodices that can be personalized with embroidered monograms.
Favorites: This little navy romper makes an ideal canvas for boys' or girls' initials. It's a great gift item. Tel: 866 423-0574 E-mail: email@princesslinens.com
TUTTO PICCOLO Homebase: Alcoy, Spain DESIGNERS: Tutto Piccolo Design Team Sizes: NB to 36 months; Wholesale prices: $25-$27 Theme: Traditional boyswear with European élan The garments in this better boys' collection possess a chic, European flair. Styles are streamlined, all the textiles are woven with natural fibers and the pants are accessorized with a modern belt.
Favorites: Any boy wearing this attractive sweater in the always perfect beige and blue combination with the lean pants is guaranteed to be the best-dressed kid in the class. North American Importer Tel: 877-426-7240 E-mail: coraimports@qc.aibn.com
DRESS COLLECTIONS *TINY BUBBLES Homebase: Barrington, RI DESIGNER: Barbara Guglielmo Sizes: 6 months to 6 years; Wholesale prices: $15-$27 Theme: Playful dresses, separates and cute pajamas too No matter how many sundresses a girl has, she'll want to add one or two of this newcomer's breezy, clean-lined pieces.
Favorites: The bright blue, the white piping, the fun "croquet on the lawn" shape, reveals a designer with a sense of humor. Tel: 401-595-0830 E-mail: info@tiny-bubbles.com
*HANNAH JANE DESIGNS Homebase: Severna Park, MD DESIGNER: Anne Lindner Sizes: 3 months to 6 years; Wholesale prices: Contact manufacturer Theme: Classic reversible dresses This newcomer works in a palette of Miami Beach colors: hot pink, lime, orange and cool blues. Her styles are classic with playful touches, and the buyer gets double their money: Many of the styles are reversible.
Favorites: This hot pink sundress with the mod ribbon flips to a bright lime ground patterned with flamingoes. Fun. Tel: 410-940-9004 E-mail: anne@hannahjanedesigns.com
LITTLE ENGLISH Homebase: Lexington, KY DESIGNER: Shannon Latham Sizes: 6 months to 6X; Wholesale prices: $10-$35 Theme: Traditional and proud of it This collection doesn't try to be edgy. Latham sticks with what she does well: Gingham dresses with smocking, bubbles, cardigans and bloomers.
Favorites: Charming smocking at the waist and feminine flutter at the shoulder add up to one special dress. Tel: 859-258-2120 E-mail: Sales@littleenglish.com
VIVE LA FETE Homebase: Miami, FL DESIGNER: Karla Lacayo Sizes: 3 months to 12 years; Wholesale prices: $25-$54 Theme: Delicious smocking With all the whimsical smocking and novelty trims employed in Lacayo's collection, this traditional line is meant for a good time.
Favorites: The his and her lobster motifs make me hungry for summer. Tel: 786 264-1206 E-mail: sales@vivelafete.com.sv, info@vivelafete.com.sv
PEARS & BEARS Homebase: Nashville, TN DESIGNER: Kayce Hughes Sizes: NB to 14 years; Wholesale prices: $16-$40 Theme: A modern approach to traditional styling Hughes may create her collections within the classic realm, but her crisp fabrics, uncluttered lines and judicious use of detail makes her a modernist as well.
Favorites: A little girl is set for anything in this crisp, full-skirted charmer with the single white daisy. An understated delight! Tel: 615-298-1130 E-mail: holly@pearsandbears.com
ZUCCINI Homebase: Miami, FL DESIGNER: Ena De Miranda Sizes: NB to 14 years; Wholesale prices: $25-$47 Theme: Smocked looks for the unconventional child Each Zuccini item is hand-smocked by a women's collective in El Salvador. They've chosen delightful motifs for the wares: Ice cream cones, sundaes and whales to name a few.
Favorites: The peach colored gingham dress in the comfortable A-line shape is as delicious as the hot fudge sundaes embroidered along its neckline. Tel: 305-378-4137 E-mail: Zuccinikids@yahoo.com
Originally published November 12, 2007
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