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Children's Club Spring 2008: Exhibitors Present New Lines and Collections
As I like to point out...while it's always great to see 'old' friends (well established names and labels), part of the fun of covering the Children's Club (July 29-31, 2007) (or any fashion show or exhibition for that matter), is finding the 'new'...it's all about the thrill of discovery...the potential 'Next Big Thing'. And I must say that while I sometimes find myself straining to find new companies, this time around, it seemed as if for each booth with a well known, well established name, there was happily, someone new. It had me thinking about the familiar saying:: "Find new friends, but keep the old. One is silver and the other is gold." Fittingly, metallics are still very much the 'height' of fashion and continue in popularity...BOTH silver and gold. So, with that in mind...here is the 'silver'...the group of new (two years and under) companies that stood out this time around.
7 A.M. ENFANT An extensive collection of quilted nylon poly filled baby outerwear Designer: Rebecca Campora Sizes: 0 - 3 years Wholesale: $50 - $89 Standouts: "Le Sac Igloo 500", "Blanket 212 Evolution" (a photo of Kate Winslet using this item, with her twins inside, ran in the November 2006 issue of "US Weekly"); "My mini sac igloo" made especially for your child's dolls, "Pookie Poncho", "Duo" double stroller cover, and mittens, booties and hats all of which are new.
FYI: The French born designer and mother of three, has an impressive design background, including having worked for Richard Tyler in New York. Her chic color palette and sophisticated sensibility is unapologetically hip and urban. The company is so named because babies typically awake at 7 a.m. and wake their parents up at the same time. Almost everything has more than one function, can do a number of things, and be used in a number of ways. email: info@7amenfant.com telephone: 212-302-0888
BEE POSH A collection of colorful, machine washable toys, bags, quilts/blankets, accessories, gift sets Designer: Kathy Simses Sizes: Ages 5 and up Wholesale: $5 - $50 Standouts: The colorful and very large Elvis the Lion polar fleece stuffed animal; the patterned drawstring athletic pants and coordinating bags (offered in two sizes); the plush blankets.
FYI: The company is a division of the AGX Corporation (a fabric company which happens to be the world's largest supplier of fabrics sold to swimwear manufacturers). Tel: 866-778-7880 E-Mail: ksimses@agxcorp.com
OOBI BABY A collection of high quality Australian made and designed accessories, baby bedding, quilts, blankets Sizes: 0-2Y, Newborn, Infant, Toddler Wholesale: $14 - $29 Standouts: The colorful and retro 'Super 70's Space Hopper' balls which blow up to about 20 inches (everyone who walked by this booth had to stop and look at this item).
FYI: The Space Hoppers are 'groovy' and practical and have many uses: you can sit on them, bounce them up and down, race with them, exercise with them, or they can simply decorate a child's room. They can blow up to various sizes and hold over 220 pounds. Tel: 310-889-6037 E-Mail: tracey@cute-ture.com
MINIMINK AUSTRALIA A collection of baby accessories, baby bedding, blankets, quilts, made from the highest quality faux fur Designer: Ally Schultz Sizes: Infant, Toddler, Girls 4 - 6X Wholesale: $15 - $50 Standouts: The faux fur stroller liners, Russian hats, scarves, booties, and mittens.
FYI: Everything is made and designed in Australia; the fabric is guaranteed not to shed and everything is lined in brushed cotton for extra comfort and practicality; the color palette (chocolate, mink, and honey) is decidedly sophisticated and chic Tel: 310-889-6037 E-Mail: tracey@cute-ture.com
ALIMROSE DESIGNS A collection of charmingly sweet, vintage inspired nursery and home wear accessories Sizes: Infant, Toddler Wholesale: $10 - $30 Standouts: The easy-to-hold and very popular hand squeakers and rattles, which are available in a variety of animals (monkeys, teddy bears, pigs, rabbits, giraffes, etc), colors, and prints; the bunny rabbits and teddy bears, have music boxes inside.
FYI: Alimrose, Oobi Baby and Minimink are all Australia-based companies which are represented by Tracey Vieira (www.cute-ture.com), a Los Angeles-based importer/wholesaler who wants to make a "huge difference" in the world. They not only find luxurious products for babies and moms from around the world, but are socially compassionate and environmentally conscientious. They encourage their suppliers to recycle, and use truly organic materials as well as natural dyes and fabrics. Tel: 310-889-6037 E-Mail: tracey@cute-ture.com
GIGIS Soft cotton knit hats and headbands made for a child's comfort Designer: Pam Nickell Sizes: Newborn to Girls 14, Toddler, Girls 4 - 6X, Girls 7 - 14, Preteen Wholesale: $11- $15 Standouts: The caterpillar, spider, scorpion, and flower printed active sportswear inspired spandex mesh helmet duvet (which is protective and great looking and can be used for bicycling, skiing, and horseback riding).
FYI: The socially responsible and compassionate Ms. Nickell sees to it that one dollar of each sale of the helmet duvet is donated to First Star, a branch of Make a Wish, an organization which aids abused and neglected children. Tel: 310-529-3984 E-Mail: info@gigis.org
ITSI BITSI BABY ACCESSORIES 100% cotton, whimsically printed and patterned breastfeeding shawls, bib sets, burp cloths Designer: Kara Cartin Sizes: Infant, Toddler Wholesale: $7.50 - $20 Standouts: The breastfeeding shawls which are 100% cotton lined in light flannel and available in 8 patterns (the 'Sage Flower' is the most popular).
FYI: The breastfeeding shawl was created because new mom Kara, (an American living in Quito, Ecuador) wanted a stylish product that would allow her to breastfeed anywhere. It provides privacy in public places, is easy to use, leak proof, and doesn't slip during nursing. E-Mail: info@itsibitsibaby.com
MAMA & BAMBINO A collection of high quality, practical and fashionable coordinated blankets, diaper bags, hats, and onesies Designer: Stephanie Frazier Grimm Sizes: Infants 0 - 6 Wholesale: $7.50 - $15 Standouts: The 'Twinkles' hats, tees and baby bags embellished with sparkling custom crystal letters; the cozy "Lovies" and cuddly blankets with crocheted bunnies or ducks; the "Newport" ribbon trimmed canvas baby bags in an assortment of colors, styles, sizes.
FYI: Stephanie is a mom whose background and experience as a fashion stylist has resulted in a line that is practical and fashionable; perfect for everyday yet special. Among her fans and loyal customers are high profile Hollywood moms like Courtney Cox, Katie Holmes, Brooke Shields, Angelina Jolie, and Gwyneth Paltrow. She has quickly gotten a lot of press and has been featured on "Oprah", in "People" and "US Weekly" among others. Tel: 866-732-8668 E-Mail: info@mamaandbambino.com
SEADA INTERNATIONAL A collection of shoes for little boys and girls which emphasizes comfort, safety, and style Designer: James Fu Sizes: Infant, Toddler, Girls 4 - 6X, Girls 7 - 14, Boys 8 - 20 Wholesale: $3 - $18 Standouts: The graphic multi colored leather athletic shoes and Mary Janes with Velcro strap closure; the powder blue, pink, and ivory PV lace up, zip up boots with molded rubber soles.
FYI: The shoes are made from a variety of materials (real leather and synthetic) and feature butter soft leather linings and collars which provide more room in the toe area "for healthy growing feet". They pride themselves on making the "best shoes" and their motto is, "Your Success is Our Success". This is their launch season and their first Children's Club Tel: 714-990-8118; 718-836-8086 E-Mail: jafu@seada-usa.com
BRIATI A collection of delicate and refined jewelry for children, teens and young adults that is "easy to wear", hip, trendy, yet conservative Designer: Sylvia Heiden Sizes: Baby and up Wholesale: $9 - $220 Standouts: The golden "Park Avenue" charm collection; the silver collection which is a "cross between Barneys and Tiffany" (the multi charm necklaces, the slogan bracelets featuring words such as "Love", "Peace", "Mine"; the pearls with a heart clasp.
FYI: They are gift oriented since jewelry makes for that perfect gift (for special occasions, holidays, communions, bat mitzvahs); Sylvia has recently been collaborating with actress Phoebe Cates on unique items for her eclectic New York store, 'Blue Tree' on 92nd street and Madison Avenue Tel: 917-797-4787 E-Mail: sylviaheiden@yahoo.com
TINY TOMS A collection of cotton canvas slip-on shoes for infants and toddlers Designer: Blake Mycosky Sizes: Prewalker sizes 2 & 4; Toddler sizes 5 - 10 Wholesale: $14 Standouts: The camouflage print; the "white shoes with paint" which come in a kit with 4 different colors of paint so you can paint your own design.
FYI: Blake drew inspiration for the collection from traditional Argentinean workers' shoes. Within 4 hours of wearing, Tiny Toms are guaranteed to shrink or mold to your foot. This socially responsible and compassionate designer and his company make sure that for every pair of shoes purchased, a pair will be donated to a child in need on your behalf. The company will be featured on Oprah in October. An offshoot of Toms (their adult line), this is their launch and their very first Children's Club. Tel: 310-566-3174 E-Mail: info@tomsshoes.com
NEW JAMMIES 100% certified organic cotton onesies, rompers, pajama sets, tees, hats, and blankets printed with bold and colorful fruits and vegetables (in accordance with safety regulations) Designer: Nicole Weinberger Sizes: Newborn - 6 years Wholesale: $10- $40 Standouts: The Snuggly PJs, Easy Fit Onesies, Footsies Rompers, Playtime Rompers, and PJ Tees in fruit and vegetable prints with names like 'Apple of My Eye', 'Baby Blues-berries', 'Bananas in My Belly', 'Carrot Top Kisses', 'Pretty Peas Please'.
FYI: Nicole is a writer, artist (she designs her own prints), and chemist (she received a BS in Chemistry from Washington and Lee University) and is a prime example of a designer who is socially and environmentally compassionate and one who strives to make the world a better place; she emphasizes healthy eating habits, active lifestyles, and learning. On her website, she collaborates with nonprofit organizations and has included an "Eat Right" section which features healthy and delicious recipes. Tel: 609-799-7908 E-Mail: Nicole@newjammies.com
HAIR SCENES Fun hair accessories with a theme Designer: Jennifer Goldberg Sizes: Infant to Teen Wholesale: $5 - $7 Standouts: The beach, dog, music, back-to-school, and sports themed barrettes (which come 10 on a card); the 2-in. wide stretch hair bands and the handbags which are designed with pre fasteners so the barrettes can snap right onto them.
FYI: The concept of the line came from Amira, the daughter of Jennifer's babysitter, who always wore "loads" of colorful barrettes in her hair…Jennifer decided she had to build a line around them and base each one on a theme; the adorable braided little girl displays (which hold the barrettes) are available for stores to purchase with the accessories. Tel: 561-241-6612 E-Mail: Jennifer@hairscenes.com
FLEURVILLE'S RE-RUN COLLECTION A collection of messenger bags, diaper bags, stroller bags, and micro pods, made from recycled plastic bottles Designers: Catherine and Steve Granville Wholesale: $14- $45 Standouts: The Micro Pod, designed for quick trips with a child or long flights; the Messenger Bag, which has an adjustable shoulder strap; the Stroller bag, all of which are lightweight, practical, geared for organization, can be worn or used in a variety of different ways, and were created with utmost practicality in mind.
FYI: Each Re-Run product comes with a hangtag shaped like a plastic bottle that tells you how many plastic bottles you saved from landfill. This is a brand new division of Fleurville, a company dedicated to "creating compelling solutions for modern parents" as well as saving the environment and to that end, they just received certification as a "Bay Area Green Business" by Marin County Development. Tel: 866-510-8967 E-Mail: info@fleurville.com
BECAUSE I SAID SO Three unique lines of 100% cotton novelty t-shirts which "give even the littlest ones a voice" Designers: Denise Goodman, Lauren Tarr Sizes: 3- 6 months to size 12 Retail: $20 - $28 Standouts: Hard to chose (there are so many and they are all so adorable), but the ones that instantly made me smile include "cereal dater", "my sippy cup runneth over", "on the tooth fairy's payroll", "teenager in training", "too smart for my own good", "the original" (why not tell the world who was here first?).
FYI: The designers are sisters who conceived of the line as a way to celebrate the milestones, achievements, and "even mishaps" of children and their parents; all the products are made from 100% American Apparel cotton and printed with slogans which will put a smile on everyone's face….. (Oh by the way….I was drawn to this booth "because I loved the name") Tel: 516-558-7193 email: questions@bcauseIsaidso.com
Originally published August 26, 2007
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