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Spring/Summer 2011 Children's Club: Familiarity Breeds Good Looks - A-F Gingham is having a moment. So are sailor stripes in red, white and blue; polka dots, denim and plaid. I won't bore you with the whole "comfort in familiarity when times are tough" spiel. I'll say that the collections at ENK Children's Club (October 3-5, 2010) with classic patterns and color combinations looked just as fresh as more trend-driven lines. See for yourself.
FEATHER BABY Homebase: Baldwinsville, NY DESIGNER: Sude Dellinger Sizes: NB to 24 months; Wholesale prices: $9-$34 Dellinger's palette of warm blues and lilacs, and her modern, sweet shapes continues to draw retailers to the collection.  Outstanding Piece: This easy, comfortable organic cotton knit dress in the prettiest shade of lilac is made special with the addition of a wide, hand-smocked neckline. Tel: 646 485-7314 E-mail: Joe@featherbaby.com
Homebase: Shrewsbury, NJ DESIGNER: Claudia Collins Sizes: Preemie to 24 months; Wholesale prices: Contact manufacturer Magnolia Baby is the ideal collection for retailers who look for fine, Pima cotton pieces in classic shapes. Special touches such as hand embroidery make the garments gift worthy.  Outstanding Pieces: A hand-embroidered boat sets sail on this sweet top. Bold stripes and pajama detailing on the pants add whimsy. Tel: 732 747-2797 E-mail: Matthew@magnoliababy.com
Homebase: New York, NY DESIGNER: Carolina Zapf Sizes: NB to 12 years; Wholesale prices: $22-$110 Zapf's collection exudes clean, modern luxury.  Outstanding Pieces: For spring, Zapf blended a tiny print with a refined shape. The result: this updated A-line. Tel: 212 580-5190 E-mail: Db@babycz.com
Homebase: Commerce, CA DESIGNER: Erin Murphy Sizes: Girls NB to 6X; Wholesale prices: Approximately $18-$35 Retailers know Baby Lulu as the one-stop shopping collection for sweet, floral separates with a retro feeling. Over the past few seasons, Murphy added designs with a funkier, edgier appeal.
Outstanding Pieces: Part ballerina part Tinkerbell this twinkly little number is ideal for playing dress-up as well as real dress-up occasions.  The one-piece helps baby get down with his peace-loving self. Ali's Market (Allison Moroze) Tel: 212 695-2300 E-mail: Info@alismarket.com
Homebase: Lexington, KY DESIGNER: Lisa McLean Sizes: NB to 16 years; Wholesale prices: $9-$49 Bella Bliss is the place for girls' and boys' classic looks with elegant touches.  Outstanding Piece: Chic, fresh and pretty beach coordinates for mom and baby. (Personalization not included.) Tel: 866 846-5295 E-mail: Emily@bellabliss.com
Homebase: Ross, CA DESIGNERS: Maryam Barrett and Genevieve Chapman Sizes: 3 months to 8 years; Wholesale prices: $10-$58 Busy Bees is preppy/chic without the starch - and with hand-smocked lobsters!  Outstanding Pieces: A simple polo shirt can look updated if it's paired with a crisp button-down shirt and drawstring pants. A floral pattern with an elegant flow, lends itself to tailored lines in the Camp Shirt dress. Tel: 917 796-9771 E-mail: Contactus@busybees-kids.com
Homebase: Los Angeles, CA DESIGNER: Inshi Khanna Sizes: 12 months to 12 years; Wholesale prices: $16-$43 I'm always looking for that unexpected something in a collection - a color pairing that shouldn't work but does, a trim that pulls everything together - and I always find it in Khanna's line. She's quirky and brave: two qualities that make for a great designer.  Outstanding Pieces: Look at the silver Lurex trim at the neckline and the way the glamorous top pairs with the camp shorts and you'll see what I mean by "unexpected." Tiny Ginger (Ginger Dhaliwal) Tel: 818 998-8039 E-mail: Tinyginger@gmail.com
Homebase: San Francisco, CA Sizes: 8 months to 8 years; Wholesale prices: $22-$42 Daley references the 1920s and 1930s but she does what all great Modernists do: she finds just the right detail to tell her story so her garments nod to those earlier periods without looking kitsch.  Outstanding Pieces: In a photo album somewhere, there's a picture of your grandmother posing in a swimsuit like this. If there were a bubble over her head, the words inside would read: I'm gorgeous. Tel: 415 641-1286 E-mail: Info@dagmardaley.com
Homebase: Scottsdale, AZ DESIGNER: The Eliane et Lena design team Sizes: NB to 14 years; Wholesale prices: $25 average The home of cutting-edge trends, European sensibility and a playful spirit.  Outstanding Pieces: Just another cotton knit jacket? I think not. The season's hot military theme blends with sweatshirt fabrication in this surprising piece. Dress it up with a sharp, button-down shirt, or pair it with the T-shirt for a pop of strong color. Tel: 480 619-5515 E-mail: Karen@kidexx.com
Homebase: New York, NY DESIGNER: Jennifer Connaughton Sizes: 6 months to 8 years; Average wholesale prices $30-$40 Connaughton's pieces are subtly colored and her shapes are unfettered. The prints she selects are on the quiet side too, yet all together her collection packs a wallop of style.  Outstanding Pieces: A draped neckline is always flattering. Add the nostalgic beige/pink tone and a tie belt to draw the shape closer to the body and you have one great looking piece. The dirndl pairs beautifully with the top or any T-shirt. Lolligo Showroom Tel: 347 394-3151 E-mail: Info@lolligo.com
Originally published October 23, 2010
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