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Prime Time: Fall 2007 Collections at the ENK Children's Club - Part II
SPECIAL OCCASION CHERISE Homebase: Stamford, CT DESIGNER: Sachin Batra Sizes: 7 to 16 years; Wholesale prices: $38-$50 Batra's collection of nostalgic dresses and sportswear for tweens and teens continues to delight buyers.
Favorites: The velvet, the clean lines, the lush colors add up to one exquisite coat. The dress is a success for the same reasons. Tel: 203-329-0719 E-mail: info@cheriseinc.com
TOMMY & FERN Homebase: South Amboy, NJ DESIGNER: Panitta "Fern" Tanakomsirichot Sizes: 2 to 6X; Wholesale prices: $32-$54 It's a pleasure when I see a designer come into her own with a hot collection. Each piece of the line reflects her appreciation for innovative tailoring with a respect for fine textiles. The pieces offer retailers beautifully detailed dresses with fewer flourishes than in previous seasons. It's a mature collection manufactured by a confident designer.
Outstanding pieces: The graceful, gray A-line makes an elegant backdrop for the lovely spray of appliquéd and embroidered flowers near the hem. The red number is a showstopper. Tel: 732-952-3042 E-mail: info@tommyandfern.com
KNITS BOGNAR & PICCOLINI Homebase: Miami, FL DESIGNER: Andrea Bognar Ljustina Sizes: Preemie to 12; Wholesale prices: Contact manufacturer Ljustina has a knack for mixing casually shaped knits with an elegant bottom. The look has an insouciant, effortless grace that's very Audrey Hepburn.
Favorites: The pom-pom edged sweaters with the raw silk skirts. For their soft, stone colors, the shapes - everything. Tel: 305-256-3764 E-mail: bognar@bellsouth.net
RENATTONI Homebase: Philadelphia, PA DESIGNER: Maribel Beas Sizes: NB to 6X; Wholesale prices: $12-$55 Sure, the yarns Beas employs are the softest Pima cotton and baby alpaca available, and her colors are always rich, but it's her mix of tailored shapes and feminine flourishes that make her knitwear so endearing.
Favorites: The cranberry and sand coat and dress will appeal to buyers who like their wares tailored, and those that want a bit of feminine flourish. That takes care of everyone. Tel: 215-915-7893 E-mail: wholesale@renattoni.com
BOYS BURWELL NEW YORK Homebase: New York, NY DESIGNER: Caroline Burwell Sizes: 2 to 8 years; Wholesale prices: $32-$100 Burwell's boyswear always blends an air of sophistication with a casual edge. Imagine Mick Jagger at high tea.
Favorites: Hey little man. This guy's ready for Wall Street or at least long division in the hip striped shirt and narrow cut vest and pants. Tel: 212-217-6212 E-mail: info@burwellnewyork.com
JACKSON CLAY Homebase: Agoura Hills, CA DESIGNERS: Paula Speert and Paige Apar Sizes: 18 months to 10 years; Wholesale prices: $12-$26.50 Boys may end up hyper-groomed slaves to fashion, but most of them don't start that way. Easing them into good taste is simple with this collection. The styles and colors are so "boy" that they'll never notice just how hip the pieces really are.
Favorites: Color blocked tees with great graphics, the "Two-for-Tee" layered top, peach skin pants that cuff up into long shorts. Comfortable boys' fashion at its best. Tel: 818-735-0104 E-mail: pcspeert@aol.com
K.KAUFF-MEN Homebase: Torrance, CA DESIGNERS: Holly and Keith Kauffman Sizes: Sizes 4-20; Wholesale prices: K.Kauff-men: $12-$42; Chandler Kaye girls' line: $30-$42 Since 2000, when the Kaufman's jumped from menswear into the kids' market, they've turned out modern boys' clothing with wearable, not too cute prints and high-end fabrics. This season they're back with a sophisticated collection that boys will like for all the easy-to-move-in silhouettes, and parents will admire for its understated good looks.
Favorites: The pale blue and cocoa combination is always elegant. The "Missoni" style striped vest takes the look out of the classroom and out to dinner. Tel: 310-323-5888 E-mail: h@kkauff-men.com
WONDERBOY Homebase: Philadelphia, PA DESIGNER: Christine Johnston Sizes: 4-10 years; Wholesale prices: $16-$44 Johnston has extended her line of carefully tailored shirts in hip prints to include equally cool tees and jeans.
Favorites: It wouldn't be Wonderboy if it didn't include details such as the contrast stitching along the neck and sleeves, the raw edged armholes and the layered cuffs. Of course, the colors are just right for boys and the prints, used for the tees' appliqués, are pretty cool, too. Tel: 215-462-1177 E-mail: info@wonderboyclothing.com
Originally published April 9, 2007
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