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Children's Club Fall 2007 Established Collections - Part I As always, in addition to finding - and following up on - new lines, it's always fun to revisit well established companies. The list below represents the "best and brightest" of those who showed their Fall 2007 lines at the Children's Club (held March 11-13, 2007).
MP Socks & Tights High quality, European made tights, socks, and knee highs for the whole family Wholesale: $2.80 - $20 Ages: Baby to adult Standouts: The brand new 'Hempels' collection of machine made (thanks to high tech computers) cotton and wool hats (some of which are fleece lined), scarves, and gloves (featuring the company's signature, funky stripes, argyles, and other patterns), and are the perfect complement to the company's signature hosiery
FYI: The company has been making high quality hosiery, socks, and knee socks for 70 years and MP stands for the late founder, Martin Pederson; they have a patent on the 'interlocking toe', (which means your little girl won't feel a knot at the end of the foot)…a feature which guarantees comfort. They also have an adult line. Tel: 954-423-1166 Email: dutchpb@comcast.net
Tender Toes - Luna International Footwear for Kids, Baby Gift Box & Accessories, Private Label Wholesale: $5 - $10 Sizes: Infant, Toddler, Young Children Standouts: The colorful flip flops (some are patterned, some are decorated with sequins and flowers, some have bamboo soles); the white 100% cotton and spandex baby ballerina with marabou trim; the blue and white or pink and white striped crochet hat and bootie packaged gift sets; the sturdy little boys' lamb leather hi cut modified T-strap with Velcro closures.
FYI: The family owned company is over 20 years old and based in Canada though everything is made in China: one of their consistent best sellers is their assorted flip flops. Tel: 800-387-9828; 631-300-1485 Email: mvakili@lunaintl.com
Bear Hands/Bellaboo Buddies A menagerie of animals made into unique, adorable accessories Designers: Jeff Golden, Julie Dennis Wholesale: $5.50 - $23 Sizes: 6 - 12 year Standouts: The trademarked oversized Bearhands' "paws" fleece mittens for children of "all ages"; the "Buddy" scarf, hat, and mitten sets.
FYI: Though this is Bear Hands' 4th year in business, they merged with Bellaboo last June; the Bearhand fleece "paws" mittens are designed with a secret flap that allows those little (or adult) hands to "come out and play". Talk about the perfect mix of form and function! Tel: 201-807-9898 E-Mail: info@bearhands.net
Reese Li Baby A collection of diaper bags, blankets, burp clothes featuring innovative fabric combinations and innovative pocket designs Designer: Reese Li Wholesale: $65- $75 Standouts: The colorful fleece blankets and hats to match patterns used in the collection; the laminated canvas or waterproof polyester diaper bags in patterns ranging from a '9 organic leaf' to abstract geometrics and stripes; the "Minkie" short pile poly blankets in brown and pink and brown or blue and brown mix stripes and dots.
FYI: Reese Li is a former army veteran who graduated cum laude with a B.S. in business administration from Boston University; the bags have convertible and adjustable straps and each has 12 pockets inside. Tel: 703-313-8898 E-Mail: info@reeseli.com
Elegant Baby Highly visual, beautifully packaged baby gift collections, keepsake gifts, bath time products, and clothing Wholesale: $3 - $60 Ages: Layette, Infant Standouts: The huge porcelain polka dot piggy banks; the 100% cotton polka dot towels; the primary colored, polka dot and striped My First Rubber Duckies which come in arresting primary colors; the Spelling Squirt Ties and Bath Toy Squirties which come packaged in a handy plastic bag with handle; the Baby Medical Kit
FYI: Elegant Baby is all about presentation with much attention given to the highly visual aspect of things, and no detail goes unnoticed. The company's President and CEO Yates Hooper is such a stickler for detail that even the shopping bags, which held the press information, looked good. Tel: 336-227-6202 / (800) 334-5321 E-Mail: yateshooper@elegantbaby.com
Princess Treats Beautiful Princess Jewelry designed with Sterling Silver, Swarovski Crystals & Swarovski Crystal Pearls Designer: Shannon K. Shetler Wholesale: $10 - $18 Sizes: Infant, Toddler, Girls 4-6X, Boys 4-6X, Girls 4-7 Standouts: The "Your Star" collection which is 'made' for active little girls; the "Happy Birthday Bracelets"; baby Christening bracelets.
FYI: There are currently 60 different designs being offered, and their unique and distinctive packaging (all pieces are displayed on flowers, lollipops, etc. and wrapped in clear plastic) is part of the fresh appeal. Tel: 410-853-7385 E-Mail: princesstreats@comcast.net
Margareta Horn Design Whimsically patterned, hand knit stocking caps for boys and girls of all ages Designer: Margareta Horn Wholesale: $20- $21 Sizes: All Standouts: The little boys' hats (some of which have horses, trains, planes); the true-to-life strawberries (her first designs were the strawberry and blueberry); the colorful patterned hats with tassels on top.
FYI: All the hats are hand made in Colorado from 100% non itch, mercerized cotton and an 80-year-old woman makes most of her patterns. Decorative buttons are a signature decoration and as she put it, "when you see the buttons, you design the hats." Tel: 941-907-3209 E-Mail: margaretahorn@hotmail.com
Amoroso Kids by A17 Modern Classic Fiber Art Baby blankets and matching hats Designer: Sandy Ku Wholesale: $17 - $39 Size: Layette, Infant, Toddler, Girls 4 - 6X, Girls 7 - 14 Standouts: They're all so eye catching it's hard to single them out but I'd have to say "Circus" (which is featured in Chris Rock's new movie, "I Think I Love My Wife"); "Framed Polka", "Granny", "Home Sweet Home".
FYI: These fine gauge knits are all machine washable and reversible, and Sandy's double faced designs and knitting technology are protected by US copyright & patent laws. In addition, they qualify as bona fide works of art - I deemed them all fabulous enough to frame and, in fact, you can find them in some of the country's most revered museums (one of Sandy's designs is carried in the National Gallery of Art Gift Shop). FYI: 516-333-7975 E-Mail: info@amoroso-usa.com
Trimfoot Company High quality, classic, traditional shoes for newborns through toddlers Wholesale: $4.50 - $20 Standouts: Baby Deer's plastic and suede biker boots, animal patterned slippers; Ralph Lauren's quilted nylon logo rain boots, gray and brown wool herringbone Mary Janes, suede moccasins in assorted colors decorated with chunky gold hardware.
FYI: This company has several divisions and was established in 1913; they pride themselves on being a leader in the baby shoes and dance shoes industry. Tel: 573-756-6616 / (800) 325-6116 E-Mail: mail@trimfootco.com
Hunter Boot The classic, traditional Wellington (Wellie) boot sized for children Retail: $49 Ages: 2 - 6 Standouts: Though the original Wellie boot was done in classic 'Hunter' Green, they are being offered in 10 colors and it's the more unusual, unexpected shades (lavender, lime, cornflower blue, and pumpkin) that look the most exciting.
FYI: The iconic Scottish company was established in 1856 and the boots were designed with the rugged terrain of Scotland as well as both form and function in mind (not only for rain, but for sport, farming, etc.). The classic rubber Wellie rain boot has never gone out of style and is quite in fashion these days, having been seen on such fashionable icons as Kate Moss and designer John Galliano (who took his bow at the end of his most recent runway show in Paris wearing the signature boots). As they say, "All's Wellie that ends Wellie". Tel: 646-256-9465 E-Mail: marsha.bain@hunter-boot.com
Cuquito High quality, European made footwear for children Wholesale: $9 - $24 Size: Preemie, Infant, Toddler Standouts: The signature collection designed by Agatha Ruiz de la Prada featuring her trademark whimsy (hearts, butterflies, bows, flowers) and upbeat, joyful colors; the little boys' lace up sneakers in bright, contrast colors.
FYI: Cuquito is an established brand (they are the #1 shoe company in Spain) but this is their first Children's Club and they've only been selling to the U.S. for 2 years. They pride themselves on looking after baby's feet (all the styles are extremely soft). Tel: 34.96.31.71.200 E-Mail: rociosantos.cuquito@bebess.com
Tuff Cookie Hand made quality infant hats and coordinating outerwear Designer: Anastassia Gonye Wholesale: $10 - $16 Sizes: 3 months and up Standouts: The hot pink lined leopard hat with matching pink pom pom on top; the hot pink hat with 'flower pot' on top; the red lined aqua 'monster' hat.
FYI: Anastassia does everything herself for that important handmade touch and her signature hats make use of bright contrast colors (all the better to brighten up the drab of winter), tassels, pom poms, braids, and are a mix of sporty and ethnic. Two years after beginning with hats, she added coats to go with them (at her customers' requests). Only the highest quality Malden Mills fleece (which incorporates recycled plastic bottles) is used and everything is made in the U.S. Tel: 508-548-9933 E-Mail: Anastassia@tuffcookie.net
Angel Toes by Wiggy Studio A collection of fun, colorful, whimsically patterned hats, and pre walker booties, and accessories Designer: Leslie Billings Wholesale: $14.50 - $15.50 Sizes: Newborn, infant, toddler Standouts: The little girls' animal pattern bucket hats decorated with oversized flowers and matching booties; the little boys' retro geometrically printed hats and matching shoes.
FYI: Leslie started with christening shoes and one year later she added hats (which she routinely donates to cancer wards). She admits she always had a love of ribbon and trimmings and had been a buyer for Victor Costa, a well known evening wear designer who was at the top of his game in the 80's and was known for his decorated evening dresses. Tel: 972-713-0319 E-Mail: angeltoes@wiggystudio.com
Kidorable Fun, practical, unique children's accessories Designer: Liping Domsky Wholesale: $5.97 - $16.47 Sizes: Infant, Toddler, Girls 4 &endash; 6X, Boys 4 &endash; 6X Standouts: the dinosaur raincoat, rain boot, and matching umbrella; the brand new hooded towels.
FYI: Their motto is, "We make the ordinary extraordinary…Every child has a dream - every child loves to smile". Tel: 800-422-9516 E-Mail: sales@kidorable.com
Pamela Marcuzzi Whimsical hair accessories, handbags, jewelry Designer: Pamela Marcuzzi Wholesale: $3.50 - $20 Sizes: Preemie to Preteen Standouts: Summer is year round as evidenced in the new wintry flower collection (hair pins, ponytail holders, headbands); the 'Marie Antoinette' inspired chokers; the multi colored pony 'Medusa' comprised of silk ribbon twisted with beads.
FYI: The Argentinean born designer was an interior designer and theatrical scenographer by training and uses materials from around the world (the metal pieces are made in France, the glass beads are from Austria and the Czech Republic, the sequins are from India) for her collection. Talk about going global! Tel: 305-234-1905 E-Mail: gaq@pamelamarcuzzi.net
Originally published April 15, 2007
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