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Fall 2009: Children's Club Welcomes Newcomers Every season we greet newcomers to the children's industry and introduce them to our readers with a roundup of debut collections. At the recent ENK Children's Club (January 5-7, 2009), only a few intrepid designers made the leap into the kids' market. As you'll notice, several of the manufacturers acknowledged the difficult economy with pieces that are often reversible and are styled to accommodate a growing child.
DAN DAN Homebase: New York, NY DESIGNER: Aiko Decelles Sizes: NB to 24 months; Wholesale prices: $16-$38 "Growth and versatility" There are collections that offer clean, modern designs in practical solids and playful prints on the market. What makes this debut line fresh is Decelles' innovative pieces that are often reversible and are meant to last for several years.
Outstanding piece: Decelles exhibited small fall and spring 2009 lines. This reversible smock is from her fall group. The neckline has a button detail that, when opened, expands to accommodate a child's widening shoulders. The piece is cut loose too, so it can start as a little dress and segue way into a tunic. Clever. Tel: 917-312-3465 E-mail: Info@dandangoods.com
EGG BABY Homebase: Brooklyn, NY DESIGNER: Susan Lazar Sizes: NB to 4 years; Wholesale prices: $7-$45 Lazar is known for chic cashmere blankets knit with astrological symbols. She's branching into kidswear with collections of better pieces for girls and boys. Like her blankets, both groups offer understated styling and fine materials.
Outstanding pieces: This unisex jacket in washable ultrasuede with a buttery soft fleece lining is easy to put on and take off thanks to a back zipper.
Boys love multi-layered graphics and intense color, but some days even the most extroverted kid wants serene hues and no-fuss shapes. The serged hem detail is all the shirt needs for a little extra oomph. The pants are just perfect: lean but cut for movement with simple pockets. We could all use pants like this. Tel: 212-685-1490 E-mail: Info@egg-baby.com
HAZEL Homebase: Vernon, CA DESIGNER: Janet Cho Sizes: 2 to 6X; Wholesale prices: $13-$34 Quietly funky and detail driven, Cho's fall collection offers terrific early season pieces that work well worn solo on balmy days and look natural layered when the temperature drops.
Outstanding pieces: This loose, comfy striped knit dress/tunic has old-fashioned touches like the bib front detail (an early trend for spring).
Vintage appeal is present in the dress's tucked bib front and the ecru colored, double-tiered eyelet ruffle. It's a charmer. Tel: 323-588-8857 E-mail: Robert.c@hazelclothes.com
LOURDES Homebase: Spain DESIGNER: The Lourdes design team Sizes: toddler; Wholesale prices: Approximately $18-$49 Making its domestic debut, the Spanish-based Lourdes collection brings fine workmanship, vivid color and, with its bows, dolls, polka dots, and finger puppets, an unapologetic sense of play.
Outstanding pieces: Here the multitasking outfit looks adorable and keeps a girl entertained.
The little equestrian will love the horse dolls (they snap off) and the comfortable shapes. Parents will admire the cheerful yet subdued shades, the fine materials, and the attention to detail. Tel: 718-972-4600 E-mail: Lourdeyusa@yahoo.com
SAM HILU'S COLLECTION Homebase: New York, NY DESIGNER: The Sam Hilu design team Sizes: 2 to 6 years; Wholesale prices: Vests $20, jackets $35 These exquisite jackets and vests are reversible and beautifully colored. Add Azo-free dyes and manufacturing that conforms to strict international environmental standards, and you've got worry-free items.
Outstanding pieces: This jacket in cheerful shades of rose and deep red is an ideal weight: perfect with a tee or turtleneck on a early fall day; light enough to don under a coat when multiple layers are in order. Tel: 212-725-2264 E-mail: Samhilu@samhilu.com
SWEET PEA KIDS Homebase: Miami, FL DESIGNER: Amy Schneider Sizes: 4 to 16 years; Wholesale prices: $14-$39 Can't get enough pattern? Neither can Schneider. Her print-driven line of ultra-light mesh pieces is meant to mix but not match paisleys, flowers - you name it.
Outstanding piece: The flutter sleeve top can be paired with another print in the line or subdued with jeans. Either way it's a feminine and fun piece that tweens will adore. Tel: 212-768-1352 E-mail: Amy@gosweetpea.com
Originally published January 31, 2009
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