Since the October (15-17, 2006) Children's Club is essentially, Spring 2007 'Part Two', and a continuation of what was presented in August at the Piers in New York, it was not surprising that all the trends that were in place several months ago (for clothing, accessories, and home furnishings), were still very much in evidence at the Jacob Javits Center this time around. Since the season is spring/summer after all, one would 'naturally' expect to find the usual assortment of tried and true warm weather themes and trends, especially those related to and inspired by nature (which I did).

But of course, one big advantage for me this time, is that in between the two Children's Club shows, I also attended New York Fashion Week for Spring 2007, centralized at the Bryant Park Tents, and I subsequently spent much time observing the fashion scene unfold in London, Milan, and Paris (up close, if not 'personal'). Since the connection between what is being presented for grownups and that which is being offered for infants, toddlers, and tweens, gets closer each season, with a decidedly marked blurring of the lines, this gives me a unique and wonderful perspective with which to view the scene.

The recent runways for spring (here in New York and internationally) spoke volumes about a renewed love affair with nature in all its glory. There were flowers in every imaginable incarnation (prints, patterns, and lifelike flowers and floral appliqués used as decoration); and against a neutral base of beige, tan, khaki, and ivory, there were shots of vibrant yellow, blue, green, red, and fuchsia…colors which are arguably borrowed from nature. And even though it was the spring collections, animal patterns didn't completely go away; zebra and especially leopard prints were not only shown on runways, but leopard, in one form or another, was worn by many fashion savvy editors, buyers, and assorted pros covering the shows, proving its staying power.

Speaking of nature and the great outdoors, athletics and active sportswear continued to inspire fashion designers as evidenced in their clothing and accessory lines; shine in the way of gold, silver, and bronze metallics covered everything from clothing to shoes and bags; though futuristic and mod looks abounded, there was also a welcome return to nostalgia, via homey retro prints like polka dots, gingham checks, plaids, fruit prints, and as always, runways were filled with a tried and true perennial favorite: graphic stripes.

With this in mind, it was hard for me not to notice how so many of the above elements were there in abundance in booths lining the aisles of the Javits Center…not only for clothing, but for accessories (hair ornaments, sunglasses, belts, bags, shoes, jewelry), bibs, toys, games, puzzles, gifts, and home furnishings. I was particularly struck by how so much of what was being presented was nature-based and animal themed...so much so, that at times I felt as if I were at the Children's Zoo rather than The Children's Club.

I was also struck by how many parents continue to start businesses fueled by their own creative juices and the desire to address their own needs and those of their children. Having said that, what is especially interesting is how many dads are now joining the act…it's not just about designing moms any more. Talk about role reversal…or 'reversal of fortune'.

And then there is the element of sports and athletics…which is always popular but continues to be an ever growing area, especially in the category of infant footwear. Speaking of which, the Children's Club Show was smack dab in the middle of October, a month that is practically synonymous with baseball. It was hard not to be reminded of that connection and think about the playoffs and the World Series what with all the baseball mitts, baseball bats, and baseball themed and printed accessories, on display. Talk about 'The Boys (and girls) of October'!

Trends:

Animal Farm: The Children's Club could have been dubbed The Children's Zoo this season, since there were so many life like monkeys, lions, bears, giraffes, penguins, tigers, zebras, leopards, birds, not to mention butterflies, pigs, ducks, frogs, whales, dogs, cats, etc. either printed on fabrics or showing up as (almost) life sized replicas.

Extrasmall crochet farm animals.

Don't Bug Me: Adorable ladybugs were all over the place…printed on fabrics or appearing as life like replicas on toys and accessories.

Mimi the Sardine ladybug apron.

Stripe it Rich: Bold stripes in every shape, size, and coloration were a constant theme throughout.

Daph Daph shoes.

Flower Power: Spring is the time when lush flowers are abloom and flowers were certainly abloom (as prints or patterns, or in real life appliqués and embroideries) at the Javits Center, seen on every manner of accessories, shoes, bags, jewelry, hair ornaments, and appearing in home furnishings.

Deidra & Kiki tween hair accessories.

Going Dotty: Polka dots of all sizes and in every imaginable color combination abounded.

Flap Happy dots and stripes.

Check Mate: Classic and fresh gingham checks and picnic checks are always in style.

Stride Rite by Lucy Sykes Liberty of London espadrille.

Fruit Loops: Spring and summer is the perfect time to enjoy sweet, ripe fruits…and strawberries, watermelon, pineapples, cherries, bananas turned up as prints, patterns, and as real life appliqués

Fiorucci shoes' strawberry Mary Janes.

Sports Illustrated: It's all about sports and athletics for kids of ALL ages, including newborns; this has been translated into an abundance of sports themed accessories, and an entire category of athletic inspired footwear for newborns - a continually growing area.

Cover Me Blue baseball glove printed home accessories.

The Shining: Gold, bronze, silver, pewter metallic in small doses or used all over particularly in footwear.

Ecco's Jill Twinkle metallic sandals.

Nature's Own: There is an entire category of look good, feel good, smell good, and sound good products for newborns, infants, and toddlers (and their parents) that of course, 'do good' and are invoked by nature, and make the most of natural ingredients and natural products.

Originally published November 2, 2006

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