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Spring 2007: Good, Clean Fun at Children's Club Following Fall's trip to the Ukraine, designers plumbed their roots for a strongly American take on kids' dressing at Children's Club. You'll see plenty of patriotic red, white and blue collections, lots of innocent eyelet looks and prep a plenty. Which doesn't mean everything is stars and stripes. On the contrary - where's there's navy, there's royal. And even with modern silhouettes, there are manufacturers who can't help throwing in the funk.
LAYETTE BOGNAR & PICCOLINI DESIGNER: Andrea Bognar Ljustina Sizes: NB-Wholesale prices: $21-$42 As always, this collection reflects refined taste and exquisite craftsmanship.
Outstanding pieces: Take-me-home outfits are usually long on practically and short on elegance. Not this one. The knit top fits like a sweater and the linen bottom is tapered. With the hand knit hat and tiny booties, what more could a pampered newborn want? Tel: 305-444-2278 E-mail: bognar@bellsouth.net
FEATHER BABY DESIGNER: Sude Peta Sizes: NB-2 years; Wholesale prices: $8-$49.50 Peta has added delicate Pima cotton knits to her tightly edited collection of layette wear.
Outstanding piece: The neutral beige tone of the hand knit sweater coordinates to everything in the collection; touches like the scalloped crotched trim, and tiny embroidered rosettes along the back make the delicate piece an ideal gift item. Tel: 646-485-7314 E-mail: joe@featherbaby.com
SPORTSWEAR BARBARA FARBER DESIGNER: Barbara Farber Sizes: girls 2-14; boys 4-7; Wholesale prices: Contact manufacturer European customers count on Farber's collection for affordable, understated yet fashion forward sportswear.
Outstanding pieces: Farber choses a muted green palate for her kid-on-safari-jungle-themed jacket. The rose colored T-shirt warms up the look. Children@Play, Inc. Tel: 914-686-7544 E-mail: sales@childrenatplay.com
CHIQUITA DESIGNER: Sylvia Rodriquez Sizes: 7-16; Wholesale prices: $26-$34 Rodriquez's collection is trendy and affordable. Great for boutiques with price-sensitive clientele.
Outstanding pieces: The spare shape of the sundress makes a perfect canvas for the ornate embroidery. The sweater is as thin as lace with a silky hand. Together they're ideal for a night on the town. Janis Millstein Sales Tel: 212-239-4660 E-mail: janisales@aol.com jamesgirone.com/janismillsteinsales
DANICA & DYLAN DESIGNER: Brian Riley Sizes: 2-12; Wholesale prices: $14-$27 Riley is mixing it up again for spring.
Outstanding piece: The sundress blends bold prints with rich color to great effect. Tel: 908-251-4170 E-mail: customerservice@danicaanddylan.com
DIESEL KIDS DESIGNER: Diesel design team Sizes: Girls infants-16, Boys infants-20; Wholesale prices: contact manufacturer Diesel is known for great denim styles and edgy tees.
Outstanding piece: Sportswear may be this collection's tour de force, but it's this right out of Studio 54 number, with its rich color and asymmetrical hem, that caught my attention. Great with leggings, too. Tel: 212-755-9200 ext. 321
HEIR DESIGNER: Zna Houston Sizes: girls 3 months -14 years; boys 3 months to 8 years; Wholesale prices: $10-$45 Houston's fans will be heirs to a playful collection this spring.
Outstanding piece: I'd admire Houston's adorable dress even if I didn't grow up with a Chihuahua. The classic shirtwaist tailoring above the waist and the slight fullness at the bottom balances the whimsy of the print. Tel: 310-702-7175 E-mail: info@heirapparel.com
IMPS & ELFS DESIGNER: Jacqueline Streng Sizes: girls NB-6X, boys 4-7; Wholesale prices: $11-$36 (infant-toddler) Each of the four cotton knit groups in Imps & Elfs' collection mix and match effortlessly.
Outstanding pieces: There's just enough detail on the silver and charcoal knit dress to keep it interesting, and the color combination can be viewed as a novel spin on nautical or pure sophistication. Puur Inc. Tel: 212-239-1805, ext. 402 E-mail: janell@puurinc.com
JEN JEN DESIGNER: Jennifer Marcellus Sizes: 6 months-8 years; Wholesale prices: $8-$32 Marcellus has a knack for picking up on trends then channeling them through her own quirky vision.
Outstanding pieces: Two takes on red, white and blue. Red paired with pink in a Seventies style set; and red, white and blue by way of Asia. Both looks hit a home run. Tel: 858-824-1700 E-mail: jen@jenjenkids.com
K.KAUFF-MEN DESIGNERS: Holly and Keith Kauffman Sizes: girls 6 months-16, boys 6 months-20; Wholesale prices: girls $12-$32, boys $16-$28 Like their well-regarded boys' collection, the one-year-old Chandler Kaye line for girls offers retailers plenty of mix-and-match options, great color and gorgeous fabrications.
Outstanding pieces: The Kauffmans call the luscious shade of rose on the tank top "dark pink." I call it the prettiest color at the show. The look takes on a rich textural effect, when the top is teamed with the tulip skirt fashioned from permanently wrinkled cotton. Adding length and gathering the sleeves turns a traditional polo top into a fun dress or tunic. Tel: 310-323-5888 E-mail: kk@kkauff-men.com
LUCKY WANG DESIGNER: Emily Wang Sizes: 6 months-4 years; Wholesale prices: $15-$37 Style with a sense of humor is Wang's 'MO'.
Outstanding pieces: The cotton camp shirt with pale blue elephants looks crisp paired with bright red clam diggers. Tel: 212-229-2900 E-mail: luckywang@mac.com
MALLEY & CO DESIGNERS: Malley Gaulding and Theresa Helms Sizes: 2T-12; Wholesale prices: $11.50-$18.50 The designers introduced the new Livi G. collection, a line of playful cotton knitwear for the price-conscious retailer.
Outstanding pieces: The fruity colored embroidery spices up the icy aqua of this two-piece set. Tel: 972-840-6433 E-mail: malley@malleyandco.com
MARIE CHANTAL DESIGNER: Marie Chantal Sizes: girls 3 months-14, boys 3 months-8; Wholesale prices: $12-$65 Marie Chantal's collection is always sweet and classic - minus the too cute touches that you sometimes find in traditional lines.
Outstanding pieces: It's what she didn't do that makes the frosty aqua bloomer set and preppy boy's ensemble work: There are no extraneous details anywhere. Tel: 212-274-1100 E-mail: Alexandria@mariechantal.com
OILILY DESIGNER: Oilily design team Sizes: NB-8; Wholesale prices: $7-$95 Oh, the joyous reception from retailers when this collection hit the wholesale market! Each group is based on a story with a heroine and her journeys, so every item relates to the theme and to one another - a buyer's dream.
Outstanding pieces: Here are two examples of this collection's cohesiveness: The lilac jacket's floral embellishment picks up the colors in the playful skirt; the aqua topper is more sophisticated, but it hangs beautifully with the other set and, of course, partners with the skirt without appearing "matchy, matchy." Tel: 877-213-8565 E-mail: wholesale@oililyusa.com
PICCINO PICCINA DESIGNER: The Piccino Piccina design team Sizes: Layette-12 years; Wholesale prices: Contact manufacturer The collection of pattern-driven sportswear has a distinctly Parisian flavor.
Outstanding piece: You know that "ahhh…" moment you feel when you dive into a pool? That's what this beguiling topaz colored dress will do for a buyer's mood. Eurokids Tel: 212-947-5611 E-mail: tgoyer@eurokids.com
ROOSTER DESIGNER: Rhonda Wolk Sizes: 2-12; Wholesale prices: $18-$60 When I think of a real modernist, I think of Wolk. She doesn't need pattern or much detail to craft a beautiful collection.
Outstanding piece: The "Mia" dress embodies Wolk's design aesthetic: Rich color, an exciting play of textures and a shape that flatters the body without confining it. Yoka Showroom Tel: 212-594-7714 E-mail: Caroline@yokashowroom.com
SOPHIE CATALOU/KARTOONS KATALOONS DESIGNER: Jordi Perez Sizes: NB-6; Wholesale prices: $10-$26 Perez' collection walks a tight rope between cute and sophisticated: Her middle ground is just right.
Outstanding piece: The celery colored top with shoulder ties is offset by the dusty colors of the tiered skirt. Tel: 917-617-8946 E-mail: sophie@sophiecatalou.com
WHITLOW & HAWKINS (Formerly Her Royal Highness) DESIGNER: Dorothy Park Sizes: 2-16; Wholesale prices: $9-$42 The name may have changed but the collection still reflects the fine craftsmanship and classic-with-a-twist styling of its predecessor.
Outstanding piece: Park, a former textile designer, creates all the patterns in the collection, so you won't see her fresh flowers or Asian inspired prints anywhere else. The crisp blue and white design on this empire waist dress, its bow and white piping make it ideal for a casual birthday party. Tel: 212-575-5770 E-mail: dorothyp@jnrimex.com, angiem@jnrimex.com
BOYS' COLLECTIONS JACKSON CLAY, USA DESIGNERS: Paige Apar and Paula Speert Sizes: boys and girls 18 months-8 years; Wholesale prices: $10-$24 The designers added a girls' line to their spring collection with a similar made-for-a-good-time appeal.
Outstanding pieces: The T-shirts and attractively accented pants are cute enough to wear for a casual dinner out with the folks, but not too precious for an hour of skateboarding. Tel: 818-735-0104 E-mail: pcspeert@aol.com
DRESSES C'EST CHOUETTE COUTURE DESIGNER: Amanda Azadi Sizes: 3 months-16; Wholesale prices: $40-$70 A fairy godmother waved her wand over this magical spring collection.
Outstanding piece: All that glitters is gold on this gorgeous special occasion halter dress in a complexion flattering peachy pink. Tel: 213-744-0707 E-mail: cchouette@earthlink.net jamesgirone.com/cestchouettecouture
NEIGE DESIGNER: Adrienne Catrina Sizes: Toddler-14; Wholesale prices: contact manufacturer Modern designs with a vintage edge and one-of-a-kind textiles define the Neige collection.
Outstanding pieces: Catrina uses crisp white cotton to offset the mustard print dress. The lace trim on the skirt softens the deep blue top. Tel: 949-463-4450 E-mail: info@neigeclothing.com
SWIMWEAR AGUACLARA SWIMWEAR DESIGNER: Liliana Villalobos Sizes: 4-14 Wholesale prices: $8-$26 Some bathing suit collections veer toward sweet looks; others are all glitz. Aguaclara's suits are chic with just enough arresting detail.
Outstanding piece: This attractive little set works three trends: The mustard/blue combination picks up on this season's hot yellow cast greens; the beading is kept simple; and the tie belt is a trickle down from mom's swimwear. (Also available in pink/hot pink.) Tel: 786-245-0033 E-mail: aguaclara@applauzi.com
AZUL DESIGNER: Carina Goldfarb Sizes: 6 months-14; Wholesale prices: Ola Lola $17-$22, Azul $22-$49 Goldfarb offers retailers a selection of flattering, trend-conscience prints and rich colors for summer.
Outstanding piece: This multi-toned bikini and matching skirt guarantees a good time in the sun. E-mail: info@azulkids.com Ali's Market Tel: 212-695-2300 E-mail: Allison@alismarket.com
M.N. BIRD CO. DESIGNERS: Mary and Liz Naples Sizes: 12 months-14; Wholesale prices: $21-$24 You can count on M.N. Bird for great prints and just enough detail to give the silhouettes zing.
Outstanding piece: Take a basic lime green tank, add sky blue piping and floral details that can be arranged at a child's whim, and this suit is bound to be a girl's favorite. Tel: 518-273-2826 / 877-782-0384 E-mail: info@mnbird.com
SEAFOLLY GIRL AUSTRALIA DESIGNER: Debbie Edwards Sizes: 6-16; Wholesale prices: $9-$35 Edwards presented a large, print-driven collection of suits and great separates for toddlers through juniors.
Outstanding piece: The white sundress trimmed with crocheted lace makes a fresh coverup on the beach, as well as a pretty separate to don for any casual occasion. DaRiMi Kidz Tel: 415-389-8538 E-mail: sales@darimikidz.com
KULE DESIGNER: Nikki Kule Sizes: 12 months-10 years; Wholesale prices: $24-$60 Kule always injects a note of wry humor into her line of classic sportswear and swimwear.
Outstanding pieces: The only thing Coco Chanel would add to this ensemble is a strand of pearls - and attitude, of course. Tel: 212-813-9182 E-mail: info@kuleshop.com
T-SHIRTS DISNEY COUTURE DESIGNER: Guy Brand Sizes: 2T-5T; Wholesale prices: $9-$30 Disney Couture. It's the dark side of the brand.
Outstanding piece: If Mickey had a brother who staggered in at 3 a.m., one ear bent and tail smelling of beer, he'd wear this funky tee from Disney Couture. Tel: 213-627-2498 The Rose Garden Tel: 212-564-5100 E-mail: rosiegarden@aol.com
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