on the inside with tina barry

October Spring 2004 ENK Show: Am I Dreaming?

I have a shopping fantasy. I enter Barney's with $100 in my wallet. I know that the money will buy me a lipstick at the makeup counter and a cup of coffee downstairs. Because I can't resist, I head to the sportswear department and run my hands over an Armani suit - price tag, $25. I grab the suit and trot to the shoe area where Joan & David boots are on sale for $5. I buy La Perla lingerie for $1; a Gucci bag for $10, and the woman behind the jewelry counter waves me over and says, "Take this pearl choker, darling. You'll look lovely." On my way home, I give Loehmann's a haughty sniff.

I was reminded of that fantasy as I strolled through the ENK show, held in New York's Javits Center from October 19-21. While finding one or two great new lines at each show is a given, discovering wonderful new collections in every aisle, as I did this time, was a gift.

Below are a few collections you'll be seeing a lot of.

 

SPORTSWEAR

DAGMAR DALEY

DESIGNER: Dagmar Daley

Take a look at Dagmar Daley's first collection and you'll wonder how 10 pieces can create such an impact. Daley's namesake line features narrow tees and button-down shirts that tuck into loose, high-waisted pants, a silhouette not seen in other collections. The colors are deep neutrals with clean white and a pop of bright red. One perfect dress rounds out the collection.

Sizes: 18 months-4. Wholesale prices: $10.50-$29.50.

 

Outstanding Pieces: There are several standouts but I'll limit myself to three. The high-waisted grandpa pants with suspenders, worn with a soft, chambray shirt; and the red polka dot dress in cotton voile. The dress's silhouette is narrow but the skirt's pleats make twirling a dream come true.

 
108 Fair Oaks
San Francisco, CA 94110
Tel: (415) 641-1286
E-mail: dagmardaley@mindspring.com

 

DANICA AND DYLAN

DESIGNER: The Danica and Dylan design team

The Danica and Dylan collection is colored in cream, dusty aqua, deep red, cocoa, and black so a few pieces mixed and matched can add up to a wardrobe.

Sizes: toddler-6X. Wholesale prices: See manufacturer for details

Outstanding Piece: The black coat with white stitching worn with black, boot-cut pants printed with white Indian motifs. Chic and fun.

 
247 Grand Street, 3rd Floor
New York, NY 10003
Tel: (212) 219-0679
E-mail: margaretflynn@danicaanddylan.com

 

ELIZA GRAN

DESIGNER: Eliza Gran

SIZES: 3 months-6. Wholesale prices: $18-$24

Eliza Gran's small, well-honed collection reflects her penchant for calicos and seventies-style patterns. Gran's sophisticated take on nostalgia has landed her simply shaped A-lines, halter tops and Capri pants on the pages of trade and consumer magazines.  

Outstanding Piece: The orange printed wrap dress with the side-tie bow. Just right for the urban cowgirl.
 
345 Hudson Street, 16th Floor
New York, NY 10014
Tel: (212) 226-2106
E-mail: elizagran@earthlink.net
www.elizagran.com

 

EVELYN BONNIE

DESIGNER: Shelly Young

If you're looking for sportswear and baby accessories with unique textiles then consider Evelyn Bonnie. Designer Shelly Young creates her own prints influenced by vintage florals. Once her goods have blown out of the store they can be reordered. Try that with a real vintage line.

Sizes: NB-6. Wholesale prices: $2.50-$26

Outstanding Piece: The sundress with polka dot bows, a berry-strewn bodice and red skirt with a peek-a-boo, polka dot pleat. Ideal for a picnic in the park.

 

2653 Orange Avenue, Suite B
Costa Mesa, CA 92627
Tel: (714) 345-4699
E-mail: shelly@evelynbonnie.com
www.evelynbonnie.com

 

FLIPPIT

DESIGNER: Liz Bourne

"There's no inside, there's no outside, there's no wrong side, there's no right side," according to Liz Bourne who designs the new Flippit collection. Made of handkerchief linen each loose fitting piece is reversible, so if ketchup spills on the top just "flippit" and it's good to go.

Sizes: 4-14. Wholesale prices: $9.50-$48.

Outstanding Pieces: the casual tank and pants. Get tired of the lilac and coral combination, "flippit" over and wear the apple and aqua. Talk about multitasking!

 

4616 Mahonia Road NW
Albuquerque, NM 87120
Tel: 505-899-6611
E-mail: flippit74@hotmail.com

 

FROLIC

DESIGNER: Andalynn Richie

Richie's first collection incorporates a wonderful fabric - chiffon plisse from France. It's soft to the touch, deeply crinkled, machine washable and dryable, and needs no additional attention. Mom can put the bad old days of ringing and twisting behind her.

Sizes: Contact manufacturer. Wholesale prices: $11-$34.

Outstanding Pieces: The two-tiered A-line dress and coat in chiffon plisse. The set can go from the classroom to dinner and look appropriate in either setting.

 

701 Eighth Avenue
San Diego, CA 92101
Tel: (619) 232-5275
E-mail: andalynn@poutychild.com

 

HEIR

DESIGNER: Zna Houston

Sizes: 4-16 Wholesale prices: contact manufacturer

Founder Zna Houston coined the term HEIRNYM to describe t-shirts with sayings like "Something is in the Heir"; " I have my Heir bag, do you?"; "To err is natural, to be an Heir wear it."

Outstanding Piece: The pink t-shirt with white clouds embellished with the phrase, "Something is in the Heir." You don't have to be an Heir head to wear one.

 

6651 Garth Avenue
Los Angeles, CA 90056
Tel: (310) 702-7175
E-mail: info@heirapparel.com
www.jamesgirone.com/heir

 

KIWI INDUSTRIES

DESIGNER: Becky Grebosky

Sizes: 3 months-4. Wholesale prices: $5.75-$24

This organic linen collection is a winner. The colors are muted sage, butter and light blue; the shapes are loose and comfortable. Grebosky uses 19th century etching plates to print a single animal motif in black on each garment. Contemporary engraving techniques can't compete with the beauty and detail of the images.

 

Outstanding Piece: The butter yellow baby dress with matching panties. The rooster, near the dress's hem, is so life like you'll expect it to crow.

 

192 Big Horn Ridge Drive, NE
Albuquerque, NM 87122
Tel: (505) 710-6455
E-mail: becky@kiwiindustries.com
www.kiwiindustries.com

 

STELLA INDUSTRIES

DESIGNER: Ary Park

Ary Park isn't afraid to mix things up. She fearlessly pairs stripes with shiny oriental silks and simply embroidered t-shirts. Worn in multi-patterns, the feeling is psychedelic; mix a print with one of the gathered or lightly embellished tee's and the look is quieter but still edgy.

Sizes: 3 months-6. Wholesale prices: $12-$35

Outstanding Pieces: You don't have to pair the red striped t-shirt with the blue striped, ruffled skirt, or top that with an oriental bomber jacket, but why not if it looks so cute.

 

3836 Sunbeam Drive
Los Angeles, CA 90065
Tel: (323) 401-1529 or (323) 982-0963

 

DRESSES

CLOSE TO THE EARTH

DESIGNER: Mae Siffin

Mae Siffin designs two dress styles that will appeal to old-fashioned mothers: A below the knee, loose fitting dress with short, cuffed sleeves; and an ankle-length style with fluttery, cap sleeves. The dresses are made of dotted Swiss and have upmarket touches like deep hems and batiste lining.

Sizes: 3-7. Wholesale prices: $83 for knee length; $135 for long dress

Outstanding Piece: The long white dress with black dots. It's sweet and traditional without being stiff. What mother wouldn't want a dress like that in their child's closet?

 

P.O. Box 17451
Urbana, IL 61801
Tel: (217) 328-3801 or (800) 653-2883
www.closetotheearth.com
E-mail: msiffin@closetotheearth.com

 

TWEENS & JUNIORS

MO BEE'S

DESIGNER: Maria Groezinger and Bee Tancharoen

Designers Maria Groezinger and Bee Tancharoen hit the Tween scene with style. Their soft, jersey knit sportswear pieces are meant to be worn in layers. Once on, the pieces are body conscience without looking like an MTV audition outfit.

Sizes: 7-14. Wholesale Prices: $16.50-$42.

Outstanding Pieces: The layered tank tops over the A-symmetrical skirt. The "I just threw this on" nonchalance of the set, and its bright orange and green, will make any kid look confident.

 

1319 23rd Street, #A
Santa Monica, CA 90404
Tel: (323) 578-6468
E-mail: mobeegirls@hotmail.com

 

KNITWEAR

ABUNDANCIA

Designer: Helen Curtis

These charming cotton knits with the 1950's-style animals make perfect summer wear. Add a t-shirt and they're ready for fall.

Sizes: Hats - infant, garments - infant-3. Wholesale prices: $7-$30.

Outstanding Pieces: The baby jumper in sage with the tiny coral elephant and the soft mauve jumper with the cream-colored horse. They're right out of "The Little Rascals." What a gift!

 

P.O. Box 423
Woodstock, VT 05091
Tel: (802) 457-2595
E-mail: vtabundancia@yahoo.com

 

TRUST FUND BABY

DESIGNER: Monica Nguyen

Sizes: 3 months-18. Wholesale prices: $30-$74.

Trust Fund Baby's loose fitting cashmere, silk and silk/cotton blend sweaters in deep colors and classic patterns will keep baby warm on chilly evenings. You have to touch the sweaters to believe their silkiness.

Outstanding Pieces: The zip-front bombers. Look closely and you'll see ladybugs.

 

444 West 35th Street, Suite 17A
New York, NY 10001
Tel: (646) 623-2257
E-mail: trustfundbaby2003@yahoo.com

 

T-SHIRTS

APPAMAN

DESIGNER: Harald Husum

Sizes: NB-4. Wholesale prices: $9-$10.50; $20 gift set.

This is the funkiest t-shirt collection out there. Husum swaps saccharine sayings like "I'm grandma's little angel," for images of Chez Guevara, hand-painted male and female symbols, bright stars and peace signs. You won't find pink and blue here. Try black, orange, purple, cocoa and olive for a change.

Outstanding Pieces: Every design screams, "Buy me!"

 
38 Wyckoff Street, Suite 1L
Brooklyn, NY 11201
Tel: (718) 403-9402
E-mail: info@appaman.com
www.appaman.com

 

J.K. TEES

DESIGNER: Jill Garcia

Jill Garcia mixes two of the seasons hippest trends - initials and baseball styling - for her girls' t-shirts. The look is feminine, sporty and fun.

Sizes: 6 months-6. Wholesale prices: $12-$16.

Outstanding Piece: The pink t-shirt with black sleeves and lowercase initial. The colors, stylized letter and borrowed-from-boyfriend styling has 1950's appeal.

 

609 12th Street
Santa Monica, CA 90402
Tel: (310) 393-5377
E-mail: Jktees03@aol.com

 

ACCESSORIES

BUMBLE BAGS

DESIGNER: Jennie Lynn Johanson

Sizes: Comes in three sizes. Contact manufacturer for details. Wholesale prices: Small, $49; Large, $53; Tote, $53.

Jennie Lynn Johanson's messenger bags have everything a mother needs for toting baby stuff plus one more: Once the baby is a toddler, mom can leave the bottles and diapers home and use the bag as a stylish tote. The prints have enough variety to satisfy all tastes and the scattering of rhinestones on some of the bags is fun, not flashy.

 

Outstanding Piece: All the bags are great.

 

16015 Old Valley Boulevard
City of Industry, CA 91744
Tel: (626) 934-8600
E-mail: info@bumblebags.com
www.bumblebags.com

 

LOOM

DESIGNER: Johanna Leestma LaFleur

Sizes: Watermelon Clutch 8"W X 5"T; Marsupial 18"W X 11"T. Wholesale prices: Clutch $10; Marsupial Diaper Bag $65.

Do you remember Johanna Leestma LaFleur from the bag company Fleurville? She's on her own developing urban, modern prints for her simple, ballistic-nylon bags. The bags' flaps close with magnets for easy access and the side pockets have open tops - no more struggling with buckles or buttons.

Outstanding Piece: The light blue and red print bag. The colors and pattern are neutral enough to mix with anything.

 
439 Molino Avenue
Mill Valley, CA 94941
Tel: (415) 381-2820
E-mail: johanna@loomlife.com
www.loomlife.com

 

BLANKETS

LARUCCI

DESIGNERS: Gina Larucci Turner and Cathy Portilla

Sizes: 16" X 16" and 30" X 40" Wholesale prices: $22 and $55.

It may be early in the season for a heavyweight blanket, but never mind. One side of a Larucci blanket is bone colored brushed material that feels like a cashmere/suede hybrid. The other side - in matching bone, dusty pink or pale blue - has an even richer hand. They're utterly, decadently luxurious. You'll want to sew two together and throw it over your own bed.

Outstanding Pieces: Any of the three blankets.

 

150 Columbus Avenue, Suite 5A
New York, NY 10023
Tel: (212) 799-2474
E-mail: cathy@larucci.com or Gina@larucci.com
www.larucci.com

 

POUT

DESIGNER: The Pout Design Team

Sizes: Contact manufacturer. Wholesale prices: $32-$56.

The designers at Pout offer "opulence for baby" and they're not kidding. Their blankets sport shiny, ultra-soft faux-fur on one side in taupe, cocoa and cream, and not-found-in-nature tones such as pale blue, light pink and garnet. The other side of the blanket is a glistening oriental silk in combinations like coffee embroidered with pale blue, or soft lemon with silvery blue and pink. A little warm for spring, but oh so perfect for fall evenings.

Outstanding Pieces: Pick any blanket.

 

701 8th Avenue
San Diego, CA 92101
Tel: (619) 232-5275
E-mail: pout-pout.com
www.pout-pout.com
E-mail: design@pout-pout.com

 

BIBS AND BURP CLOTHS

LILYPAD BABY

DESIGNER: Kathie Papera

Wholesale prices: $5-$29.

Lilypad Baby offers bibs, burp cloths and blankets singly or as sets in pretty, ribbon-tied tulle gift bags. The prints Papera chooses are old-fashioned cotton florals or conversationals. The burp cloths are lined with cotton interlock. All the pieces are machine washable and dryable.

Outstanding Pieces: The bibs are well-priced, large enough to cover up baby, and the prints are pretty enough for dress-up.

 

P.O. Box 1121
Manhattan Beach, CA 90267
Tel: (310) 796-0888
E-mail: info@lilypadbaby.com
www.lilypadbaby.com

 

BABY PRODUCTS

BABY BLOSSOMS

CREATOR: Baby Blossoms design team

Wholesale prices: $54-$59.40 for case of six.

Baby Blossoms unveiled its first line of natural baby care products. The body wash, baby oil, lotion and aroma mist have the soothing scent of lavender, chamomile and red mandarin. All Baby Blossoms' products are manufactured in small batches to ensure freshness and do not contain artificial ingredients. Stacked in amber colored bottles, the arrangement would make an elegant store display.

 

P.O. Box 210326
San Francisco, CA 94121
Tel: (415) 722-3168
E-mail: info@babyblossoms.com
www.babyblossoms.com

 


 

Tina Barry has been involved in many facets of the fashion world. She has traveled domestically and to Europe to research color and design trends. For many years she styled textiles for the apparel and home furnishing industries. After designing her own line of children's wear she now freelances as a children's wear buyer and private label designer. Tina also teaches a marketing course at The Fashion Institute of Technology in New York City.