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Prime Time: Fall 2007 Collections at the ENK Children's Club - Part I The recent ENK Children's Club Show, held March 11-13, 2007, made me happy for many reasons. The exhibition followed a few days in January spent at the Pitti Bimbo show in Florence, Italy. I loved attending that exhibition for the serious way the Italians take the kidswear market, for the sense of the fair being as much a cultural event as it is a trade show, and of course, the collections. My heart still races when I think of entering some of those booths. Yet, New York feels like home. Walking down the aisles and seeing familiar faces, viewing the lines - and this season I noticed so many that have crystallized in all aspects of production and design - just felt right. Call it the "Cheers" syndrome. But, I want to be where everybody (or enough of you) knows my name.
LAYETTE FEATHER BABY Homebase: New York, NY DESIGNER: Sude Peta Sizes: NB to 2 years; Wholesale prices: dresses: $35 Every season Peta's collection grows slowly with the addition of a single new shape or color to freshen the line.
Favorites: Peta calls the newest color in her collection "mulberry." The name is apt. When the fruit is ripe on the tree, it's an inky purple. It takes on a warmer, reddish glow when it's held in your hand. Peta captures the changeable hue in these two delicious little cotton dresses. The color is gorgeous paired with her trademark periwinkle sweaters, tees and leggings. Tel: 646.485.7314 E-mail: joe@featherbaby.com
SPORTSWEAR BEETLEJUICE LONDON Homebase: New York, NY DESIGNER: The Beetlejuice design team Sizes: NB to 14 years; Wholesale prices: $14-$30 At the Pitti Bimbo trade show tuxedo styling lent an androgynous edge to many girls' collections. Beetlejuice follows the trend, adding their own exuberant flourishes.
Favorites: The deeply ruffled tuxedo shirt two ways: With pinstriped suiting for boyish charm, and in buttery gold with the lushly embellished, narrow velvet suit for a rich, rock star mood. Tel: 212-944-0555 E-mail: info@beetlejuice.co.uk jamesgirone.com/beetlejuice/index.htm
DANICA AND DYLAN Homebase: New York, NY DESIGNER: Brian Riley Sizes: 2T-14; Wholesale prices: $8-$27 Retailers turn to the Danica and Dylan collection when they're seeking well-priced, fashion forward sportswear with edgy details.
Outstanding pieces: After several seasons, I think it's safe to say that Danica and Dylan own the multi-patterned, richly colored dress. Tel: 908-251-4170 E-mail: customerservice@danicaanddylan.com
ELIZA GRAN Homebase: Brooklyn, NY DESIGNER: Eliza Gran Sizes: 3 months to 7 years; Wholesale prices: $12-$86 Gran continues her "prairie-girl-goes-to-the-city" look with tiny floral prints and full skirts. On the flip side, she's introduced streamlined shirtdresses, solid velvet pieces and brushed cotton jumpers and pants without a frill in sight.
Outstanding pieces: A girl with these generously cut velvet pieces in her closet is ready for any event. Tel: 718-434-4388 E-mail: eliza@elizagran.com
MIMI & MAGGIE Homebase: Los Angeles, CA DESIGNER: Jo Anne Yamamoto Sizes: 12 months-14 years; Wholesale prices: $18-$38 Understated they're not. The Mimi & Maggie collection is for kids who want to be noticed.
Outstanding pieces: This luxurious plum velvet top with piano shawl embroidery may not be a one-of-a-kind piece but it sure looks like one. Tel: 323-264-0200 E-mail: info@mimiandmaggie.com
WATI Homebase: Palo Alto, CA DESIGNER: Wati Grossman Sizes: 2 to 12 years; Wholesale prices: $14-$34 There's a little of the costume designer in Grossman who each season uses her booth as a stage set for her collection. For fall, she painted the walls deep jade and hung posters of her muses: Julie Christie and Jane Birkin, both world-class beauties and style icons of the late 60's and early 70's. (Christie played Lara in "Dr. Zhivago".) The ambiance of her "set" was one part bohemian boutique, one part head shop, and totally cool. The only thing missing was the aroma of patchouli oil.
Outstanding pieces: Roses, turquoise and lilacs: A head-trip of hues, each lovelier than the next. And that coat! Christie would approve. Tel: 650-224-7478 E-mail: watigrossman@yahoo.com
ZUTANO Homebase: Cabot, VT DESIGNER: Uli Belenky Sizes: Preemie to four years; Wholesale prices: Contact manufacturer In response to their clientele, Zutano has extended the size range of Toddler Basics from 12 to 24 months to 12 months to 4T. As always, Belenky offers an array of fresh, saleable colors, great mix-and-match prints and, this season, more "big girl styles," she says.
Outstanding pieces: Belenky's "Rodeo" print snap-front top and "Twilight Stripe" team up for a new take on Western styling. What's more fun than a barrel of monkeys? The new "Cheeky Monkey Scarf" in buttery, soft velour. There are coordinating hats, too. Tel: 802-563-2961 E-mail: zutano@zutano.com
FUNKY KIDS Homebase: Wooster, OH DESIGNER: Shivani Arora Sizes: 2 to 14 years; Wholesale prices: $20-$50 Arora's collection mixes prints and innovative embellishments, yet I never look at an outfit of his and think, too much.
Outstanding pieces: A wild top with beading and a skirt with a unique, rug-like decorative trim. The rich autumnal tones tie the pieces together. Tel: 877-77FUNKY E-mail: sales@funky-kids.com
SOPHIE CATALOU/KARTOONS KATALOONS Homebase: Hoboken, NJ DESIGNER: Anna Kruman Sizes: NB to 6 years; Wholesale prices: $8-$30 Kruman is a former textile designer so choosing lovely colors and arresting pattern come naturally. This season she's added T-shirts to the collection.
Outstanding pieces: The peacock takes center stage on this simply shaped, boldly patterned dress. There's not a hare out of place on this tee with the rabbit coming - and going. Tel: 917-617-8946 E-mail: sophie@sophiecatalou.com
Originally published April 9, 2007
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