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MOVE OVER, BIG KID. BABIES BACK IN TOWN A few years ago, the buzz word in the kids' market was "boys". Designers realized that the time had come for fashionable garments for the little brother, and, that an American parent was ready for hip boyswear too. Then we had a few seasons when anything "tween" had a special "this is so new!" cachet. And then the market for luxury infantwear soared. It's hard to believe, but there was a time when one couldn't find a cashmere sweater for a baby! And, of course, the demand for organic, everything "green" products remain. But, back to babies. Regardless of the economic climate, people form unions and create families. Babies are born. With the newest among us in mind, wherever possible, I've included a collection's infant sizes as well as tots and kids from the Fall/Winter 2011 Children's Club (March 6-8, 2011). Hello, infantistas!
ADOOKA ORGANICS Homebase: Columbus, OH DESIGNER: Anne MacGilvray Sizes: NB to 8 years; Wholesale prices: $14-$37; organic collections Working with a carefully chosen palette and a few bold prints, MacGilvray's fall collection offers endless possibilities for layering, mixing and matching.  Outstanding Pieces: With its dusty blue tone edged in chocolate, and the fun owl motif, this one-piece is a little different - and a bit more sophisticated - than the usual cotton knit sleeper.  Girls will love this elegant Button Dress with its pretty sleeve and flouncey hem by itself, or they can puff the bottom out by layering it over the printed Petticoat skirt (as shown). Tel: 614-657-7248 E-mail: Sales@adooka.com
Homebase: Portland, ME DESIGNER: The Claesen's design team Sizes: NB to 15 years; Wholesale prices: $7-$32 Fooled ya! The designers at Claesen's are having a ball with trompe l'oeil belts, jewels, suspenders - the works! Kids will love the pieces. Parents will adore the of-the-moment nautical influence. Buyers, plan your store displays accordingly.  Outstanding Pieces: Babies through juniors can don identical faux cotton knit pieces from the appropriately named Posh Chic collection. Similar styles of the wonderful diagonally checked T-shirt and pants are available in baby to junior boys as well. www.claesensusa.com (Kelley Fitch) Thread Showroom (Terra Fazzio) Tel: 212-801-2387 E-mail: Info@threadshowroom.com
Homebase: Ambler, PA DESIGNER: Ali Herzog Sizes: 3 months to 4T; Wholesale prices: $12-$21 Herzog's black and white collections, and, for fall, black and cream line look of-the-moment chic, but the combination, and simple styling is her trademark.  Outstanding Pieces: The clean lines and spare trim of the black tunic-styled top is pure elegance. The striped leggings make it fun. Tel: 203-376-8714 E-mail: Ali@frenchybabyorganics.com
Homebase: Los Angeles, CA DESIGNER: Kristin Coia Sizes: Girls and boys: 3 months to 4T; Wholesale prices: $12-$31; organic collections What's in a name? How about the entire story. Coia's collection of organic cottons are gently colored, drape gently on the body and are manufactured to have a gentle footprint on the environment.  Outstanding Pieces: The softest, prettiest dusty pink for an easy smock top, pants, and, just for fun, a cozy polka dot scarf. Lolligo Showroom (Lisette Van Adrichem) Tel: 347-394-3151 E-mail: lisette@lolligo.com
Homebase: Albuquerque, NM DESIGNERS: Laura McIndoo and the Sesame Street design team Sizes for Bert & Ernie collection: NB to 6 years; Wholesale prices for the Bert & Ernie collection: Cotton knits: $5-$24; hand knit sweaters: $29-$33; organic collections Sesame Street's Bert and Ernie are inspiring McIndoo. Never have the colors been richer or the prints as playful.  Outstanding Pieces: Two bold prints and saturated tones pack a wallop.  The striped sleeves and googly-eyed Sesame Street characters are sure to produce a giggle. Tel: 505-332-9090 E-mail: Faith@kiwiindustries.com
Homebase: Los Angeles, CA DESIGNERS: Jeffeny Hughes and Megan Fox Sizes: 2T to 14 years; Wholesale prices: $8-$34 LA Made pieces possess a fuss-free, meant-for-layering, Seventies' feeling.  Outstanding Pieces: Babies look chic in the military inspired top and pants. The navy tee is a fresh alternative to gray or black. A Bit of Honey (Honey Smith) Tel: 213 542-1152 E-mail: Honey@abitofhoney.com
Homebase: El Segundo, CA DESIGNER: Afton Farley Sizes: 3 months to 10 years; Wholesale prices: $14-$24 It isn't difficult to find glitz and glamour in kids' collections. Finding a line that does it tastefully though, isn't as easy. Farley works Lurex and gleaming metallic into her cotton knits and the result is both childlike and trendy .  Outstanding Pieces: A minky vest reverses to elegant, velvet-flocked cotton knit print in charcoal and black. The asymmetrical black top can be worn with anything.  The fun "toile" print top and gold metallic leggings are a new way to do dress up. Tel: 310-569-0366 E-mail: Afton@redwagonbaby.com
Seen at the March 2011 Children's Club; Originally published March 24, 2011
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