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ON THE INSIDE WITH MARILYN KIRSCHNER

 

ENK Children's Club January 2009: Established Lines - Part II

 

Top Trenz/Undee Bandz

Trendy fashion accessories and hair accessories

Designers: Corey Glassberg, Jamie Glassberg

Wholesale: $2.50 - $15

Sizes: Infant, toddler, girls 4 - 6X, girls 7 -14, Preteen, teens, juniors

Standouts: The Undee Bandz tie dye duffle bags, messenger bags, and enormous laundry bags; the poly/velvet tie dyed slippers with peace sign appliqués; the Undee Bandz 'nylonz' bracelets and chokers; the oversized glamorous 'gold' watches.

FYI: The Glassbergs are '30-something' brothers who pride themselves on staying on top of "what is hot" each season (making sure their customers are in the know!)

Tel: 631.254.8499

E-mail: toptrenz@aol.com

www.toptrenz.com

 

 

7 A.M. Enfant

The best available products for babies and children with an emphasis on outstanding design

Designer: Rebecca Campore

Wholesale: $9 - $98.50

Standouts: le Sac Igloo (adaptable for strollers and car seats), which was recently photographed on actress Michelle Williams' baby (see photo below); the Blanket 212 Evolution (extendable baby foot muff is adaptable for strollers and car seats); the innovative Duo double stroller blanket which is perfect for twins and siblings; the versatile and convertible Pookie Poncho; the quilted jackets, vests, booties and striped blankets; the 'Voyage' line of bags (they can be a diaper bag, an everyday bag, or a perfect travel bag).

FYI: The line was conceived in Paris but is perfect for the New York metropolis: Rebecca's consistent, sophisticated Parisian/downtown New York aesthetic is apparent throughout everything she does (the colors are chic, dusty, and predominantly neutral and her shapes are clean and minimal); the emphasis is on good design and the combination of form and function

Tel: 212-302-0888

E-mail: Rebecca@7amenfant.com

www.7amenfant.com

 

 

MFS Eyewear/My First Shades

Optimum eyewear for infants, toddler, and tweens

Designer: Lisa Medora

Wholesale: $6.50 - $8.50

Ages: Infant - 12 years

Standouts: The "Really Cool Shades" which wraparound with adjustable neoprene bands; the "Just for Girls Shades"; the performance "Xtreme Shades" for children and adults; the "Big League Shades" (MLB Logo) children's sunglasses

FYI: The company is considered to be a leading innovator in 100% UV eye protection for children, and has encouraged early eye protection since its founding in 2001; they have always sought to educate the public about irreversible effects of UVA and UVB damage to children's' eyes. Their motto is - Remember: "their eyes first so their eyes last!"

Tel: 978-371-2900

E-mail: info@mfseyewear.com

www.mfseyewear.com

 

 

Babylegs

The original arm and leg warmers for the little ones

Designer: Nicole Donnelly

Wholesale: $6 - $11

Size: Infant, toddler, girls 4 - 6X, girls 7 - 14, Preteen, Boys 4 - 7, Boys 8 - 20

Standouts: The Valentine's Day gift sets (white with red hearts); the boys' gift sets comprised of classic and graphic stripes, argyles, dots in gray, brown, and yellow; the white, brown, yellow, pink wide stripes; the unisex skull and crossbones; the pink, blue and gray argyle (which is their best seller).

FYI: The product was created by Ms. Donnelly as a way to keep her little baby's legs warm while she was diaper free to allow her rashes to heal. She began selling the item (which is considered to be very fashionable in addition to practical) out of her diaper bag and it is now available in over 50 countries worldwide.

Tel: 206-734-4000

E-mail: Samantha.wattson@babylegs.com

www.babylegs.com

 

 

Confetti & Friends

Extensive line of trendy accessories, novelty and camp themed items, jewelry, and hair accessories

Designers: Judy Martin, Laura Martin

Wholesale: $1 - $14

Ages: 7 - 15

Standouts: The camp themed items (peace sign and tie dye T-shirts, novelty towels, signable pillows, address books, lap desks, oversized laundry and duffle bags) from the popular Bunk Junk and Camp Junk lines; the large peace sign beaded necklaces on an adjustable cord; colorful peace sign lead free metal bracelets; wide elastic back stretch headbands tie dyed, crystal studded, and printed with slogans like 'Camp', 'Love', etc.; the gold and silver braided chain headbands; 'Hippie Band' headbands (new this season)

FYI: It's "All in the family", literally, since Judy and Laura are mother and daughter and son Stephen is also very involved in every aspect of the business

Tel: 631-249-8060

E-mail: jconfetti@aol.com

www.confettiandfriends.com

 

 

Made Especially For You

High quality baby accessories, baby bedding, gift sets

Designer: Beth Mendelson

Wholesale: $11 - $18

Sizes: Preemie, Layette, Infant

Standouts: The machine washable and bleach safe burp pads and receiving blankets (the burp pads are made out of 100% birdseye weave cotton), and burp cloth gift sets (decorated with two strips of ribbon sewn the length of the burp pad); the tie dye burp cloths and bibs.

FYI: It all started with a friend's request for a diaper which would be attractive enough to take 'out', and has grown to a successful company selling to over 100 stores throughout the world. Customization (they have a wide variety of ribbon coordinates to choose from) and customer satisfaction are of the utmost importance.

Tel: 866-387-7723

E-mail: beth@babyburp.com

www.babyburp.com

 

 

Kit + Lilli

Colorful and graphically patterned children's wear, bags, toys, and accessories

Designers: Meg Hoberman, Teresa Ok

Ages: 3 month - 10 years

Wholesale: $9 - $44

Standouts: The cotton canvas tote bags in wave, dots, circles, owl, and abstract fish prints with contrast linings (they are also reversible); the small coordinating zippered purses; the cushions; the assorted stuffed animals

FYI: The line (admittedly geared toward artists), which is comprised of hand silk screened and exclusive bold graphic prints, is all about "visual eye candy" and is very reminiscent of vintage Marimekko (which is a 'good thing' since I'm an avowed fan); Teresa and Meg both have 6-year-old daughters (who are also best friends)

Tel: 646-415-8635

E-mail: info@kitlili.com

www.kitlili.com

 

 

Flap Happy

Innovative, practical and sun protective creations for children and adults

Designer: Laurie Snyder

Wholesale: $7 - $8

Sizes: Small - Extra large (newborn to adults)

Standouts: The brand new Flap Happy Kids' UV Protection Wear line which includes the nylon spandex flap hats with UPF 50-plus sun protection (they block more than 97% of all ultra violet sun rays); the boys' crusher and flap hats printed with zoo animals, sharks, and surfboards; the girls' crusher hats exuberantly printed with dots, stripes, and circles

FYI: Ms. Snyder admits she "can't draw" but "has great ideas"; she conceived of the line 21 years ago when she had a baby who was very fair skinned and needed sun protection. It all started with The Original Flap Hat

Tel: 310-453-3527

E-mail: custsvc@flaphappy.com

www.flaphappy.com

 

 

Lemon

Slogan T-shirts for tweens

Designer: Lisa Monfried

Wholesale: $10 -$20

Ages: 2 - 11

Standouts: The silver and gold nail head peace signs; the tie dyed T's printed with peace signs (like those favored by First Daughter, Sasha Obama); the guitars; hearts; smiley faces (groovy Baby!!!)

FYI: The T-shirts are all screen printed and made in the USA of 100% domestic cotton; the company is 10-years-old and the line is available at hip, high end small specialty stores (like Fred Segal and Kitson). While they "always get press" according to Ms. Monfried, nothing compared to the publicity they received after 'First Fan' Sasha Obama, was photographed wearing the peace sign T on vacation in Hawaii. In fact, the November 2008 cover of People Magazine, which captured the moment, was proudly displayed in Lemon's booth at the recent show.

Tel: 201-767-1160

E-mail: lemonlisa@gmail.com

www.lemontshirts.com

 

 

Zinnias

Bright, fun, optimistic line of accessories, gift sets, clothing, bedding

Designers: Meredith Zinn Caraher; Ellen Zinn

Wholesale: $4 - $65

Sizes: Infant, toddler, girls 4 - 6X, girls 7 - 14, Juniors

Standouts: The colorful, predominately tie dyed and rainbow hued footwear, 'Sole Kool' designed by Jill Green; tie dyed socks and shoelace gift sets; the extensive Home Collection (bedding) line compromised of sheets, pillowcases, comforters which can be hand painted and embellished to order

FYI: The design team is a collaboration of mother and daughter; in the word's of Meredith Zinn Caraher, the company is all about the "free spirit and nature of youth"; there is a "bright, optimistic playground attitude…. it's all about rolling down a hill on a bright sunny day". They recently joined forced with Jill Green, creator of the footwear line, Sole Kool, which specializes in iconic retro styles (converse sneakers, Birkenstocks, clogs) re-colored in crayola brights and tie dyes, often decorated with peace signs to further the mood. They are proud to say they only use 'eco friendly' cotton that is grown and knit domestically.

Tel: 718-746-8561

E-mail: zinnias@nyc.rr.com

www.zinniaszstudio.com

 

Originally published February 9, 2009

 

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