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Learning Season by Season: Established Fall 2009 Collections at Bubble - Part I Established collections at Bubble The Kids Tradeshow (March 8-10, 2009) took a running leap into the new season with fresh, modern collections. Whether they worked in palettes of deep neutrals or clean pastels, or found inspiration in the past or the future, the lines were carefully conceived, well edited and, while each designer's pieces were strongly personal, there was an eye on the bottom line: what's going to sell at retail.
TODDLER & UP: bioME 5 Homebase: Venice, CA DESIGNER: Becky Nix Sizes: NB to 8 years; Wholesale prices: contact manufacturer Using the finest organic materials such as a modal/cotton blend, Nix builds a wardrobe of basics that rely on neutrals with strong accent colors and basic shapes - then adds something extra: overalls with contrasting bib pocket and knee patches and a jacket with Asian accents and oddly sized buttons.
Outstanding piece: The varied pockets on this washable wool felt jumper turn the garment into a piece of architecture. (Also available in gray with lime pockets or electric blue with lime pockets.) Tel: (310)526-7404 E-mail: info@biome5.com
CHASE 'N SKY Homebase: Lake Oswego, OR DESIGNER: Lindsey O'Neill-Myers Sizes: 12 months to 10 years; Wholesale prices: $12-$34 Pale, feminine, shabby chic pastels highlight O'Neill-Myers' collection of simple, airy girlswear. It's a cool alternative to hot beach-bright tones on a summer day.
Outstanding pieces: Modern, girlish yet sophisticated, this pretty peach ensemble is an appealing confection. Tel: 808-557-4099 E-mail: Chasenskybaby@chasensky.com
DAGMAR DALEY Homebase: San Francisco, CA DESIGNER: Dagmar Daley Sizes: Girls 3 months to 8 years, Boys 18 months to 8 years; Wholesale prices: $16-$45 Daley adds touches of romance to her signature country vintage style. Chemises, a pretty sweater for babies and a touch of smocking sweeten the look.
Outstanding pieces: As inspired by the ballet as any tutu dress on the market, Daley's take on the look is cleaner with a neat, structured bodice shot through with metallic threads and a skirt that's ethereal without it looking like a costume for dress up time. Top it with the cotton cardigan from the Spring 2009 collection (available in blue). Tel: 415-641-1286 E-mail: Info@dagmardaley.com
IGLOO ISLAND Homebase: New York, NY DESIGNER: Sandra Stollar Sizes: 4 to 14 years; Wholesale prices: $8-$30 Easy shapes in stretchy jersey accented with flashes of bright tones, are the building blocks to a girl's wardrobe.
Outstanding pieces: The tee and flirty skirt make a charming set and are just as compatible with jeans, a sweater, and leggings. Tel: 212-366-6800 E-mail: sstollar@iglooisland.com
KICOKIDS Homebase: New York, NY DESIGNER: Tia Cibani Sizes: 2 to 12 years; Wholesale prices: $22-$120 Cibani is in a playful mood this season. Look for ladylike silk dresses, reversible capes, unusual color pairings such as a dusty orchid with mustard, and a funky mitten motif that shows up in girls' and boys' groups.
Outstanding pieces: The silk velvet Witcheroo dress with the unique neckline treatment is sure to cast a spell.
This vest gives the mitten-nicely. Tel: 617-764-0352 E-mail: Nickychong@kicokids.com
ESSENTIEL Homebase: Antwerp, Belgium DESIGNER: Aurelie Dehennin Sizes: Toddler to junior; Wholesale prices: Contact manufacturer Essentiel is the mother lode of collections. A trendsetter, the line always establishes color direction (frankly, no one does color better), and finds prints that are current yet quirky. In other words, you'll see similar prints in the market that don't quite meet the beauty of the motifs or richness of the palette. In addition, no one combines textures the way Dehennin does. She's the Mix Master!
Outstanding pieces: There are always several color groups in the line. The freshest is this blend of emeralds and a muted gray green, with teal, sky and a rich taupe-tinged charcoal.
The faux fur over the silk dirndl, the chunky scarf and featherweight wool turtleneck - see what I mean about texture blending. Tel: 32 3 201 1395 E-mail: Aurelie@essentiel.be
Originally published April 10, 2009
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