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January 2008 Editor's Note: Reporter's Notebook is a regular feature to keep retailers and buyers up to date with our sponsors' news. APPAREL: Kids can be a little "out there", so ASTROTOT'S T-shirts make an ideal gift. The manufacturer of "warped gear for kids" has expanded its line of 100 percent organic infant and toddler apparel to include bodysuits, lap tees and toddler tees. "Astrotot prides itself on supporting sustainable cotton farming practices and ecologically responsible printing methods," says Lorianne Murray, owner/designer. Call 510 748-9455 or visit astrotot.net for more information.
Need a spare? Who doesn't when a baby or toddler makes a mess of their outfits and it's time for a change. Veronica Milito of BABYSPAREWEAR designs "functional fashion: cozy cotton separates in ready-to-go travel kits." She's added several new colors and an animal graphic to the three-piece "Fashion Fix" kits (fits NB to 18 months. Wholesale price is approximately $25). Her new "Mini Makeover" two-piece sets are just $14 wholesale. Milito is excited about her recent charity partnership with qambio.com, a marketplace that matches needy individuals with people who want to help. To order, log on to babysparewear.com.
Dana Bach Johnson of BABY STAR has added a new addition to her family. In August, Dana gave birth to her third son, Sam. "We are a bit sleep deprived," she says, "but enjoying the controlled chaos of three kids." More news: Johnson will launch "Little Dipper" this spring. The new apparel layette collection (NB-24 months) includes six pieces: a romper, kimono set, one-piece, lap tee, pants and a receiving blanket. The group is available in five patterns including the new daisy chain. In addition to the "Little Dipper," there are three new patterns in the accessory line, as well as lounge sets and hooded towels, both available in 16 prints. For more information, log on to babystar.com
The folks at SMARTEE PANTS/MAMA BEBE & CO. are getting personal. The company offers retailers a way to personalize items with the $15 starter kit that includes a store display and a sample shirt. Orders can be taken for the shirts, as well as diaper covers and pillows, that can be personalized with a child's name in crystals. "The shirts are so cute and look great with all the tutus that are so popular now. The pillows make a great christening or keepsake gift and the diaper covers are just sweet," says JoAnne Mantz, owner/designer (tees are $26.50, fit up to size 8). Once the item is ordered, Smartee Pants ships the finished piece directly to the customer. For further pricing information and to view more products, log on to smarteepantsclothing.com.
TEA'S Spring 2008 collection is inspired by West Africa. The line, aptly named "Ancient Elegance," features colors and patterns seen in the ancient village of Djenne. "By introducing a child to the styling, colors, and patterns inspired by world aesthetics, we are starting an important conversation that celebrates the beauty of cultures around the world, making the foreign familiar," says Emily Meyer, cofounder and Chief Creative Director. (Fits 6 months to 8 years. Wholesale prices are $10-$38.50.) Visit teacollection.com
ACCESSORIES: Due to the popularity of ANDREA'S BEAU headbands in the women's market, designer Andrea Chafetz has expanded her collection to include similar items for children. "Our headbands have been so enthusiastically received that we took some of our more sophisticated styles, like the scarf pieces made of beautiful traditional Japanese ribbons, shimmering matte sequins, and wide Tyrolean jacquards and tried them in the children's market," says Chafetz. "The response has been phenomenal!" The designer is pleased that all the looks: "ethnic, bohemian, retro, and out-and-out pretty," have been snapped up by retailers. Andrea's Beau hair accessories, sold worldwide, can be viewed at andreasbeau.com.
Enid Sherman, CEO of YOSI GIRLS gifts and hair accessories, has a present that's perfect for princesses. The new "Princess Clips" (sold two on a card for $4.50) feature handpainted designs and are scattered with rhinestones. Another terrific gift idea is the "Bag Tags" used to identify a child's backpack ($6). Find the cute items at yosigirls.com.
Barbara Agatstein, the CEO and head designer of the accessory collection WEE ONES, is excited to announce the company's new "Fashion Cap" line. "Not only are our baseball caps fun and fashionable, but they are designed specifically for children and are really soft and comfortable," she says. The collection of caps for girls and boys includes eight different styles, each with a unique embroidered image. Contact a sales representative at 800-258-996 or visit weeones.com.
FOOTWEAR: DARIMI KIDZ is launching "Sun Busters" sun-protective aqua shoes for spring. Sun Busters Aqua Shoes provide 50+ sun protection, blocking out over 99 percent of all harmful UV rays. The shoes are available in a variety of colors ($9, fits sizes 5 to 2). For more information, log on to sunbusterskids.com.
BEDDING: Everyone loves L'OVEDBABY'S super soft "Cotton Basics Collection" of preemie to 12-month layette wear. Now parents have another item to adore: the new 37"-square receiving blanket with the two-tone L'ovedbaby logo. The item will be available in late winter to early spring and will wholesale for $8. Visit lovedbaby.com
Why should babies have all the fun? That's the question parents asked after their newborns received MAX DANIEL BABY'S plush "Cheetah & Chocolate" throws. The company responded with an adult-sized version of the item that has moms and dads purring. The double-sided plush "Cheetah" throw ($200, 72x60") is trimmed with a silky charmeuse ruffle. To order, log on to maxdaniel.com.
SNOPEA, the manufacturer of sweet cotton interlock garments, has added new offerings to PETIT POIS, its collection of cotton infant bedding. The "pods for the peas" include five six-piece bedding sets that feature a fitted sheet, comforter, bumper, dust ruffle, toy panel and nursery bag. The brightly colored, whimsically illustrated pieces include "Furry Friends," in warm pink with blue dots and cartoon animal faces; the unisex "Zoo Crew" colored in primary tones; and "Starship Dreamer" has enough rockets, stars and intergalactic activity to amuse any little boy. For more information, call 212-594-0295.
Lynette Damir, founder and CEO of SWADDLEDESIGNS, has launched the "Fresh Pastels collection," a new look for the popular "Ultimate Receiving Blankets." Each blanket (SRP $25) is printed with a single pastel tone on white and is made of premium preshrunk cotton flannel. The lightweight yet warm fabric is the preferred choice of cotton flannel used in hospital maternity wards. With the blanket, Damir is offering coordinating Baby Burpies (set of two, SRP $18) and the Baby Lovie with textures little fingers love (SRP $16). For more information, log on to swaddledesigns.com.
GIFT ITEMS: THE BABY BUNCH is blossoming at the Atlanta International Gift and Home Furnishings Market held at AmericasMart (January 8-16, 2008). Retailers can find the company's "bouquets" of T-shirts, one-pieces, hats and socks in all three of the show's buildings. Peas & Honey will exhibit the collection in Building 1, Floor 10, Room A8; and in Building 3, Floor 13, Room W-124. The Rep Connection will show the line in Building 2, Floor 14, Room 1410. Log on to babybunch.com to see a video of lifestyle guru Martha Stewart handcrafting a Baby Bunch arrangement.
Natalie Hayes of BABY DRY GOODS has introduced the "Immix," a new diaper bag in the sophisticated "Metro" fabric. The tote ($35) sports a vinyl-lined interior with three pockets, and several handy exterior pockets. Adding to her offerings is the contemporary black and white "Bellamy" pattern that will be available on seven of the company's eight products. Visit babydrygoods.com.
A hand painted keepsake box by STACIE DALE DESIGNS was featured in the December 16 posting "Keepsakes for Your Memories" in the online magazine Tot Trends Weekly. The story included handcrafted gift ideas for babies. If you need more information about Stacie Dale Designs' keepsake boxes, log on to staciedaledesigns.com.
STATIONERY: BUDDING FAMILY has launched a new collection of cards for soon-to-be brothers and sisters. The "Kid Sister- and Kid Brother-On-The-Way" keepsake cards "provide a unique, forward-thinking approach to getting only-children ready for a new baby and a new role in the family," says founder Renee Raab Whitcombe. The brightly colored, easy to personalize photo cards (5" x 7") include a red and white "Hurry up! Open it!" sticker for the outer envelope. After the newcomer arrives, the cards can be displayed in a standard 5" x 7" picture frame. To see the cards and other Budding Family items, log on to buddingfamily.com.
ROOM DÉCOR: In February, SHERRI BLUM DESIGNS will introduce a line of "Craftwood Signs" ($13, 18" x 6") with popular themes like princesses, pirates and sports motifs. In addition, she'll launch her first series of children's wall clocks ($18, 11" diameter) with similar designs. The new pieces will serve as a less expensive complement to Blum's line of rugs and wall art. To see the items, log on to sherriblumdesigns.com.
GIFTS FOR THE GIFTED: The folks at BABY CANDY infant and toddler clothing collection have gifted music artist Usher and his wife Tameka Foster with Baby Candy shirts for their new son Usher Raymond V. The items were part of the "Congrats from Colorado" gift basket filled with baby products from Colorado-based companies. The line will make its show debut at KIDShow in Las Vegas in February with two collections: "Baby Candy," a group of pastel-colored T-shirts wrapped like candy; and "Sugar Free" a group of 100 percent organic, personalized one-pieces and toddler shirts. "Not only is organic cotton high in quality and extremely soft, but it is also a good option for our environment and for a baby's sensitive skin," says Olivia Omega Logan, owner and designer. ("Baby Candy" wholesales for $17 to $24. "Sugar Free" wholesales for $25-$30.) For more information, log on to babycandystore.com.
BLOOMERS BABY, known for its luxurious "Diaper Cakes," has introduced the "Birth Day Box" (wholesale price: $34). Each elegant, chocolate-colored box holds an ultra-stylish combed cotton hat, long-sleeve tee and matching plush diaper cover. Fabulous touches such as tiny footprints adorn the back of each top, and soft satin detailing and cozy flannel lining finish each piece. (The set is available in pink, blue or white and fits sizes NB to 6 months.) To order, call 949 951-2063 or visit bloomersbaby.com.
YOU'RE HIRED! The BABY DRY GOODS collection of blankets and bags has added two new showrooms to its sales representation. Joanne and Jamie Rackow of Joanne & Company are handling sales in the California territory. To reach the Rackow's, call 213 748-4176, or send an e-mail to joannecol@gmail.com or Jamierackow@gmail.com. East coast sales will be handled by Ellen Shankman of ESP Associates Showroom in the Northeast Market Center in Massachusetts. Call Shankman at 860-668-1859 or send an e-mail to ellen@espassociates.org.
THE BABY BUNCH has hired Meegan Etheridge and Shannon Kendig of Creative Concepts Gift & Décor in Seattle, WA to handle its Pacific Northwest territory. The showroom's road reps service Oregon, Washington, Idaho, Montana and Alaska, with a permanent showroom housed in the Seattle Market Center. To reach Etheridge and Kendig, call 206-763-9630.
Michele Brule of ENCHANTED ENFANT COUTURE has hired Nicole Schmidt of Nicole's Showroom in the California Market Center (110 East 9th St., Suite A670, Los Angeles, CA) to handle sales in that region. Enchanted Enfant Couture will hang with high-end collections such as Catmini and Jottum. To reach Schmidt, call 213 629-8225.
SKIVVYDOODLES and SKIVVYDOODLES TOO! is now repped by Tracy and Edward Ross at the Forever Young Clothing Company in Los Angeles. The Ross' showroom is in the California Mart, room A693. They can be reached at 213-614-8663; foreveryoungkids.com.
The TINY BUBBLES collection of sportswear and accessories for infants and children has hired two new showrooms. In the Southeast, the line will be represented by Kristin Insana of Lion and Lilies Kids (615 218-5528, lionsandlilieskids@mac.com; lionsandlilieskids.com); and the West and Southwest region will be covered by Audrey Vloch at Four Seasons Children (214-537-9606, avloch@sbcglobal.net).
News to share? E-mail tina@jamesgirone.com.
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