|
|
Children's Club Spring 2007: Footwear Standouts Under the large umbrella of children's accessories, footwear for newborns, infants, toddlers, and tweens, has continued to generate interest and excitement and has become an enormous area of growth. Attractive, well thought out, and innovative designs - using intelligent concepts and making the most of new technology - bring together the perfect union of form and function. These are hallmarks of the standout new exhibitors and established lines that presented their collections at the October (15-17, 2006) Children's Club Show for Spring 2007.
Chikitto A new collection of European style high quality footwear for newborns to kids. Designer: Zelma Cordero Sizes: Infant to 7 Wholesale: $15 - $26 Standouts: The patent leather ballerina with satin ties available in a range of colors.
FYI: Ms. Cordero is the mother of two daughters (5 and 10) and has a background in costume design and engineering. All the shoes are made in South America and she hopes to launch an accessories line in the future. Tel: 781.363.6526 E-Mail: zelma@chikitto.com
Cool Babies A new collection of whimsical, colorful, comfortable, and flexible shoes for little boys and girls Designer: Donna Vona Sizes: 7 -14, Toddler, Girls 4-6X Wholesale: $12.75 - $25 Standouts: The Mary Jane covered in unique floral 'upholstery' fabric; the colorful leather ankle straps featuring floral appliqués and contrast stitching.
FYI: Donna taught math and science before launching her collection of highly detailed, colorful, flexible, breathable soft leather shoes (all with soft rubber soles). Tel: 609.443.1369 E-Mail: info@4coolbabies.com
Daph Daph Colorful and imaginative footwear concepts "for the creative young" Designer: Daphne Kaufer Sizes: Girls 4-6X, Girls 4-7 Retail: $85 - $110 Standouts: The colorful patent leather floral or butterfly decorated shoes that can transform into a 'boot'.
FYI: The designer is an architect by training and has applied her expertise to her one-year-old creative footwear line. Her signature snap closures, evidenced in the 'Snappy' Daph Daph Collection, is a patent pending concept which enables the customer to create her own styles and turn a sandal into a closed shoe or vice versa; or transform a Mary Jane into a boot, by simply snapping on or off the different 'bracelets' that are offered. A brochure is included with the shoes to help the customer create her own design. Adult sizes are in the future plans. Daphne's motto is, "Designing your way" and she is making that a reality. Tel: 650.793.3737 E-Mail: daphne@daphdaph.com
Stride Rite by Lucy Sykes The leading brand of premium children's footwear has just partnered with Lucy Sykes for a small, concise boys' and girls' spring collection that coordinates with her clothing line. Designer: Lucy Sykes Sizes: Newborn to 9 Wholesale: $18- $25 Standouts: The Liberty of London espadrille; the rubber soled little boys' white canvas slip on and red Velcro closing 'sneaker'.
FYI: The iconic brand, Stride Rite has been making shoes for 85 years. They are known for their well made, classic, and traditional shoes that put a premium on meeting the needs of growing children. Lucy Sykes, the stylish designing mom (and fashion editor), is the perfect designing partner, with her unapologetically classic and elegant design aesthetic. This is their first season 'together'. Tel: 614.431.5562 E-Mail: melissa_rainey@striderite.com
Dadz "Kid tested, father approved", quality leather shoes for infants and toddlers. Designer: Derek Elmore Sizes: Infant, toddler Wholesale: $10 - $12 Standouts: The unisex madras and tartan sneakers; the cotton velvet booties with stitching detail; the floral appliquéd dark blue denim Mary Jane lined in gingham check.
FYI: Derek is a creatively driven, stay-at-home designing dad (whose wife is an Ob-Gyn) who loves to experiment with different fabric. Prior to starting his company two years ago, he had been an investment banker. The premise of the line (and that which sets it apart) is his observation that "Moms and dads think differently when shopping. Mom wants fun, dad wants functional; Mom thinks cute, a dad thinks cost." Tel: 850.501.0320 E-Mail: dad@dadzstore.com
Nowa Li Swedish manufacturer of shoes, socks, tights, accessories. Designer: Diane Tarnowski Sizes: 12 - 24 months Wholesale: $6.50 - $9.50 Standouts: The collection of colorful and patterned socks with machine washable leather soles which are guaranteed to stay on.
FYI: The company is 50 years old. The shoe socks are 80% cotton, 15% Lycra, 5% nylon and are durable, hand washable, non skid and perfect for little ones who are just learning to walk. Everything is made in Sweden. Tel: 908.281.7656 E-Mail: info@nowali.com
Little Laundry Unique footwear for little girls Designer: Lauren Ivester Sizes: 7 to 3 Wholesale: $18 - $40 Standouts: The colorful and whimsically patterned rubber rain boots and rain clogs; the hip Velcro closing biker boot; the polka dot twill rubber soled slip-ons (available in gold, navy, pink, green) threaded with decorative ribbon; the metallic and beaded Velcro closing athletic shoes.
FYI: Lauren's father owns the 25-year-old company Chinese Laundry. She created Little Laundry when she became a mom and couldn't find shoes to fit her daughter's active lifestyle. Her daughter now tests everything. Kate Beckinsale is a loyal customer. Tel: 310.838.2103 E-Mail: sgonzalez@chineselaundry.com
Ecco USA, Inc. Danish made footwear emphasizing comfort and style Size: 18 months - 2 years Wholesale: Infant, toddler Standouts: The boys' and girls' 'Mini Racer Pit Stop'; the 'Daytona' style athletic shoe; 'Hide & Seek' sandals; 'Jill Twinkle' metallic sandal with adjustable strap.
FYI: Founded in Denmark in the 60's, the company puts a premium on quality control (they own most of their own factories and tanneries all over the world) and have 450 stores worldwide. They are known for their first walkers, boasting their 'Direct Inject' technology (a process through which the polyurethane sole is fused onto the shoe so it's not two pieces but one). This makes it flexible, durable, and lightweight. Tel: 603.889.4009 E-Mail: bcor@ecco.com
Little Dixie A collection of European styled footwear for little girls and boys Sizes: 1 - 6 year olds Wholesale: $6.95 - $16.95 Standouts: Little Dixie's colorful plastic beach (or pool) shoes; Hedy's classic (with a twist) perforated leather sandals; Ba-Be-Be's silk satin and leather ballerinas which are offered in patent, satin and leather.
FYI: The family owned business is based in Seville, Spain, though Juan and Loretta Cecilia reside in Crystal River, Florida. Hedy's shoes are made in Spain and China; Little Dixie's shoes are made in China; Ba-Be-Be's shoes are made in Spain. Tel: 352-563-0046 E-Mail: ldixie@tampabay.rr.com
Jack & Lily Soft and fashionable baby shoes Designer: Brenda Sauser Sizes: Infant, toddler Wholesale: $12 Standouts: The soccer and baseball motifs; the fish, octopus, and butterflies.
FYI: Everything is made in Vancouver, British Columbia, where the company is based. The handcrafted, washable leather slip-ons come in a dizzying variety which features zoo animals, fish, butterflies, sports themes; they are uniquely packaged in gift ready, sturdy, attractive, clear plastic bags which are easy to display. Their motto is, "Discover, touch, smile". Tel: 604-254-6900 E-Mail: info@jackandlily.com
Unique Angels A complete line of shoes sized for infants through teens, with an emphasis on special occasion wear. Designer: Danny Yazdan Sizes: Infant, toddler, girls 4-6X, girls 4-7, Preteen, Boys 4-7, Boys 8-20 Wholesale: $6.95 - $14.95 Standouts: Angels New York Mary Janes with high ankle straps (which provide extra support), offered in a range of colors including sweet pastels, and are often trimmed with seed pearls, crystals, organza flowers; Danuccelli Boys sturdy leather sandals with buckles; classic black patent leather dress shoes.
FYI: Danny Yazdan began designing special occasion dresses and Communion Wear and then began designing shoes (which are made in China and Columbia). Tel: 718-468-3600 E-Mail: angelscom@aol.com
Babybotte French Fashion Footwear Sizes: Infant, toddler, girls 4-6X, Girls 7-14, Preteen, Boys 4-7, Boys 8-20 Wholesale: $27.50 - $35.00 Standouts: The little boys' t- strap, open toed, tri color suede fisherman sandals; the girls' gold metallic and pink patent high ankle strap shoe with appliquéd leaf trim on toe.
FYI: The company was founded in Southwestern France by Georges Bidegain in 1936 and is known for its use of craftsmanship and technology. It is currently headed up by a team of designers and among its signatures are the many painstaking details like leather lining, padded collars, and always unique soles. Tel: 302-322-8380 E-Mail: frank@minibelshoes.com
Dribbling A collection of statement making, Italian made designer shoes for the young set. Sizes: Layette, infant, toddler, girls 4-6X, Girls 7-14, Preteen, Boys 4-7, Boys 8-20 Wholesale: $19-$100 Standouts: Fiorruci's signature, colorful, whimsical styles which include the heart print canvas sneakers, floral appliquéd sandals, strawberry appliquéd Mary Janes with rubber soles; Roberto Cavalli Devils little boys' sporty, colorful, open toed athletic sandals.
FYI: Dribbling represents such trend setting, fashion forward labels as Cacharel, Roberto Cavalli, Fiorucci, Simonetta. The Roberto Cavalli label is very popular in Europe, especially Spain, and Bono is a loyal customer. Tel: 39 07 34 63 20 64 E-Mail: baldoni@dribbling.it
Bopy Chaussures Reasonably priced, fashionable, sporty, and well designed footwear Sizes: 1 - 8 1/2 Wholesale: $16- $31 Standouts: The supportive, high ankle strap buckled little boys' earth toned leather fisherman sandals (some with whale appliqués); the little girls' suede tri colored ankle strap shoes with Velcro closures, appliquéd with flowers, butterflies, pineapples.
FYI: The company was founded in Brittany in 1905 and they are still based there, (where everything is made); they sell approximately 2 million pairs of shoes a year. Tel: 33.24.16.30.145 E-Mail: b.clemot@bopy.fr
Originally published November 4, 2006
|
|
