|
|
The August 2008 Children's Club: Newcomers As you know, we always like to showcase the new, or newer lines (two years old and younger) along with the well established companies in our ENK Children's Club (August 3-5, 2008) coverage. As they say, "Make new friends but keep the old; one is silver and the other is gold". With the Beijing Summer Olympics just completed, it makes this phrase even timelier. So, with that in mind…here are some 'silver medalists' that caught my eye and distinguished themselves this time around.
Sparkle by Design Whimsical clothing for children Designer: Batsheva Markowitz Wholesale: $16 and up Sizes: Infant, toddler, girls 4-6X, Girls 7-14, Preteen, Boys 4-7 Standouts: The 100% combed cotton "Sparkly by Design Tees" including "Mirror, mirror on the wall", the tromp l'oeil necklace, and those decorated with bow shoes, ballet slippers, ice cream cones, apples, strawberries.
FYI: Ms. Markowitz has a Master's Degree in special education and a portion of all yearly proceeds will go to organizations that help disadvantaged children. "What better way to put a smile on a child's face than to give her a sparkly T-shirt?" Almost everything is decorated with Swarovski crystals and the designer will proudly say that her 2-year old daughter Daniela, is her inspiration. This is her launch collection. Tel: 718-233-1164 sheva@sparklebydesign.com
Heelarious Baby's 'first' high heels Designers: Britta Bacon; Hayden Porter Wholesale: $17.50 Sizes: Infant (0-6 months) Standouts: 'Brooke' (the leopard satin heel), 'Elle' (the hot pink patent heel), 'Kayla' (the zebra satin heel); the see-through packaging which is meant to resemble an Hermes Kelly bag.
FYI: This is the launch collection and the inventive brainchild of two moms from Seattle. It is obviously meant to be fun and amusing, (if not somewhat over the top), since they are not intended for walking. They may look like real heels but are really made from soft flexible fabrics with a collapsible heel. To be sure, most show attendees who passed by the booth obviously 'got it' and thought the concept was 'heelarious'. But needless to say, the concept of a high heeled crib shoe is not everyone's cup of tea (I'm sure I don't have to explain why) and they have been the focus of quite a bit of controversy since the line launched just a few months ago (it has been blogged about as well). NY Rep: Curly Girls Tel: 212-967-6457 sales@heelarious.com Phone: 425.646.HEEL
Stickee Buns Adorable infantwear with a practical, patented design Designers: Shannon Schiavino, Gary Schiavino Standouts: The gift boxed sets which include a bodysuit and pair of pants in either 'pastry' pink, 'bakery' blue or 'yummy' yellow.
FYI: The line launched just 3 months ago and is the brainchild of the Schiavinos, who needed a product that would keep their infant daughter from constantly sliding out of baby swings, high chairs, car-seats, laps, etc. The nonslip "buns" on the back of the bodysuits and pants are a patented design. Their motto is "Our buns keep your baby's buns in place". Their "lucky break" came when they showed up in the audience of the "Today" Show, and presented Natalie Morales (who is pregnant) with one of their products. Tel: 908-782-BUNS sales@stickeebuns.com
Funzees A witty collection of funny onesies, bibs, and gift items Designer: Sara Kety-Elias Wholesale: $6.50 - $13 Sizes: Newborn, infant, toddler Standouts: The funny politically themed 100% cotton onesies printed with slogans like, "Babies for Obama…Yes! It's time for a change!!" the hysterical slogans which include: "Be good to me and I'll visit you in the nursing home", "My parents did what???", and "Save the Date!!! My Bat Mitzvah" (their best seller).
FYI: This is the booth where there were life sized cardboard likenesses of Senators Obama and McCain (so convincing I actually had to look twice) and the funny slogans were making all who stopped at the booth, laugh out loud. By the way, Sara told me that Obama is outselling McCain. Tel: 866-699-6660 / 917-703-8888 marc@funzees.com
DPoppen Beach accessory line for girls of all ages Designer: Ditteke Ederveen Wholesale: $14-$29 Standouts: The 40" X 70" cotton terry cloth towel & 'Bag in One' sarong/blanket/wall art; the Bucket Hat and The Small Beach Hat.
FYI: Ms Ederveen is a creative, self taught Dutch artist who especially loves painting children's faces because of their "innocence and open-mindedness". Poppen means dolls in Dutch and all the styles are named after girls (multi-ethnicity is a big theme and so the names reflect that globalization). Tel: 305-877-2603 email: info.dpoppen@gmail.com
Tivoli Couture Fashion forward baby accessories and coordinating baby gear Designer: Stella Rubinshteyn Wholesale: $6-$65 Sizes: Infant, toddler, girls 4-6X, Boys 4-7 Standouts: The reversible "Magical Blanket Capes" which can be used as a blanket, tied to a stroller (or anything else), and grows with the child; the reversible minkie to cotton "Cuddle Bottle Blanket" which is deemed "the ultimate luxury for little hands" since it "stimulates baby's senses, soothes and comforts, entertains little fingers, and promotes independence"; the stroller liners, bandana bibs, and cuddle pillows.
FYI: Their motto is "Gifts for ordinary people with extraordinary tastes". Almost everything is reversible and the use of bright, graphic patterns makes it modern and eye catching; quality, comfort, and practicality are their most important features; hence, the baby bandanas have a removable snap on the bottom - for a teething ring or pacifier - and can just as easily be used by mom as a chic scarf around her neck. This show is their official launch Tel: 646-591-4883 info@tivolicouture.com
Aldabella Scarpa Infant and children's accessories and shoes Designers: Ann Marie Smith; Monica Gonzales Wholesale: $18-$20 Sizes: Infant, toddler Standouts: The soft sole handcrafted athletic inspired 'Hunter' shoe for boys (which was their first product, designed for Hunter, a youngster with leukemia); the leopard and zebra printed Mary Janes for little girls.
FYI: The company is one-year-old, and the designers are sisters. Every shoe is sold with a matching hair accessory and comes in an eye catching, graphic, sturdy, round box which can easily double as attractive storage (for anything at all), in a child's room. As for the name Aldabella Scarpa: 'Bella' means beautiful, 'Scarpa' means shoes, and 'Alda' means highest form in Italian; put it all together and it stands for, "The most beautiful shoes". Their motto is, "Because every child deserves beautiful shoes and accessories". Indeed! The company's launch was a fundraiser whose aim was to give money back to Hunter's family. Hunter is doing very well, thank you very much. Tel: 626-485-7983 email: shoes@aldabellascarpa.com
Melton Danish line of colorful and fun hosiery, underwear, and footwear Wholesale: $3.75 - $12 Sizes: 0-14 Standouts: The bold, graphically patterned socks, knee highs, and tights guaranteed to put a smile on your, or your baby's face (notably the stripes, polka dots, florals and the 'jester' socks with contrast trim at the ankle); the underwear sets (shorts and undershirts); Starchild by Melton, the line of slip on slip off, hand finished non skid sole shoes.
FYI: Though this is a well known, well established brand in Denmark, (with a reputation for high quality and well thought out design), this Children's Club marks their American debut. Their motto is, "Makes your day funnier". Tel: 212-869-5556 email: dblank@metooamerica.com
RockinRobin High quality, fashion forward accessories and gift items Designer: Robin Halperin Wholesale: $6.50 - $30.50 Sizes: Girls 4-6X, Girls 7-14, PreTeen, Boys 4-7, Boys 8-20 Standouts: The brand new fleur du lis belt buckles; the bejeweled peace sign, heart, and skull and crossbones belt buckles; the necklaces on suede cords which were just introduced this season.
FYI: This Children's Club marks Ms. Halperin's one-year anniversary; her motto is "Cool belts for cool kids" and "committed to cool". Tel: 201-207-4922 robin@rockinrobinbelts.com
Originally published August 29, 2008
|
|
