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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!
Homebase: Tarzana, CA DESIGNERS: The Sage Creek design team Sizes: Girls and boys: 3 months to 4T; Wholesale prices: $6-$22; organic collections This season, the organic cotton line is all about strong colors and whimsical prints.  Outstanding Pieces: Both the girl's Home Sweet Home and the boy's Starry, Starry Night footed playsuits make great gifts and have add-ons such as hats, bibs and receiving blankets for additional ca-ching at the register. Tel: 877-513-2183 ext. 104 E-mail: Sfox@sagecreekorganics.com
Homebase: La Canada Flintridge, CA DESIGNER: Wen C. Reese Sizes: 2T-10T; Wholesale prices: $9.50-$26; Reese's bamboo and cotton collection is colored in pretty, candy shades of taupe, sky blue, lilac, pink and rose. Delicate prints and a judicious use of ruffles give the shapes a clean, feminine feeling.  Outstanding Pieces: Thanks to a clever design and carefully placed pattern, the Olivia Top looks like a multi-layered piece. The tiny bows at the hems of the Solid Leggin tie the look together. E-mail: Wen@skylarclothing.com Tiny Ginger Showroom (Ginger Dhaliwal) Tel: 646-645-9773
Homebase: Yonkers, NY DESIGNER: Nancy Possenti Sizes: NB to 6 years; Wholesale prices: $12-$21; organic collections No whisper soft colors or delicate flowers here. For fall, Possenti's tones and patterns have real impact.  Outstanding Pieces: The one-piece, hippie-inspired tee and ruffled skirt in this season's hot plum color are meant to charm.  He'll fly like an eagle in the bold tee and comfy, pull-on pants. Tel: 877-863-0614 E-mail: Info@positively-organic.com
Homebase: Santa Fe, NM DESIGNER: Marianne Broughton Sizes: 18 months to 8 years; Wholesale prices: $7.50-$28; organic collections Deep, ink-dipped colors, tromp l'oeil designs, a deep ruffle here and an asymmetrical hem there, and you've got pieces with real personality.  Outstanding Piece: Organic sherpa makes a cozy boy's pullover. Little touches like the kneepads on the leggings turn a basic into something with panache. Tiny Ginger Showroom (Ginger Dhaliwal) Tel: 646-645-9773 E-mail: Tinyginger@gmail.com
Homebase: Los Angeles, CA DESIGNER: Shayna Samuels Sizes for T-shirts: 3 months to 12 years; Wholesale prices for T-shirts: $14.50-$18.50 Samuels hits her stride this season with layered tees that blend strong cartoon graphics with coordinating sleeve prints. The colors are lifted right from a comic book, and the patterns on the sleeves evoke etchings. Great gifts and the store displays….Wow!  Outstanding Pieces: Boom! Pow! These tees are destined to be City Threads' classics.  Look at the prints on the sleeves: tattoos on the left, gorgeous etchings on the right. Plenty to peruse. Much to admire. Tel: 213-612-3710 E-mail: Citythreads@aol.com
Homebase: Lebanon, OH DESIGNER: Jen Chapman Sizes: Girls and boys: NB to 18 months; Wholesale prices: $7.50-10.50 In addition to hip prints, bright colors and make-you-laugh slogans, newcomer Redsnapper offers an innovative feature: A color-coded red snap at the bottom of the one-piece, so you line them and close them the first time - every time.  Outstanding Piece: The Baby Thoughts one-piece's sweet saying and bold graphic make it special. The red snap makes it, well, a snap. Tel: 937-470-3860 E-mail: Jen@redsnapperbaby.com
Homebase: Freeport, NY DESIGNERS: Shira Benedetto and Mindy Younger Sizes: 4 to 14 years; Wholesale prices: $14.50-$45 Look for strong graphics, a rock 'n roll edge, and metallic in newcomer Shira B. Kids' line.  Outstanding Piece: The dip-dyed thermal tee sports a politically charged, oh-so-relevant peace symbol. A Bit of Honey (Honey Smith) Tel: 212 947-5644 E-mail: Honey@abitofhoney.com
KNITWEAR:
Homebase: Kenya DESIGNERS: Siamonda Chege and Mary Purcell Sizes: NB to 6T; Wholesale prices: $12-$65 Buy a hand knit item made from Egyptian cotton or fine Merino wool and you help aid a community in Kenya devastated by HIV/AIDS and unemployment. In addition, a percentage of the proceeds go to the Patrick Chege Orphanage in Kenya which provides a home and future for 26 children.  Outstanding Piece: The Tai dress: a gorgeous shade of orchid, lacy stitches and fun pompoms make this a fabulous gift item. Tel: 212-655-9627 E-mail: Mary@beberavi.com
Homebase: Sarasota, FL DESIGNER: The Zackali 4 Kids design team Sizes: 3 months to 6X; Wholesale prices: Contact manufacturer Sometimes you want something sweet for a baby. Sometimes you want a sweater with strong color and a playful motif. This collection has both looks - one-stop shopping for your knitwear purchases.  Outstanding Pieces: Delicate, pink and strewn with rosebuds: this set says baby girl.  Boys just want to have fun when they wear this playful sweater (comes with a matching striped hat). Martin Schiff and Associates (Martin Schiff) Tel: 609-471-6189 E-mail: Childrenswear@aol.com
Seen at the March 2011 Children's Club; Originally published March 24, 2011
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