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Fall 2007 ENK Children's Club: Setting Out the Welcome Mat for Newcomers Having been a childrenswear manufacturer some years ago, I know the difficulties involved in launching a new collection. There are the practical considerations: Do I have enough money to get the samples made? And the press information together? Will buyers actually write orders, and is my manufacturing in place when they do? Then there's the emotional side: Does my collection bring anything fresh to the market? After I risk all the cash needed to debut a collection at a trade show, will anyone notice it at all? Here, we're committed to easing the entry of promising new designers and their collections to the kidswear industry. To that end, we're happy to introduce a few of the talented newcomers seen at Children's Club, March 11-13, 2007.
INFANTS AND UP LIL' SQUIRTZ Homebase: Vancouver, WA DESIGNERS: Shannon Stewart and Sharon Spencer Sizes: NB to 6 years; Wholesale prices: $6.50-$16 In their words: "Lil' Squirtz was inspired by a French appliqué technique called Broderie Perse (pronounced broh dur ee purse), meaning Persian embroidery. Broderie Perse is a highly regarded technique of cutting motifs or patches from printed fabric and stitching them onto a solid fabric. Traditionally, all the raw edges are turned under or covered with decorative stitching. Lil' Squirtz took this technique, which dates back to the early 1700s, and gave it a modern twist to make their own line of clothing, all of which has a frayed, edgy, funky patch." Stewart and Spencer's pre-washed cotton items come in several dusty, saturated tones that pair beautifully with the vintage inspired "Broderie Perse." Kids will love the imagery; parents will think the frayed edges around the appliqués are "cool."
Favorites: With the unique, dusty range of colors and endearing images it's difficult to select just one. Tel: 360-521-9598 E-mail: sales@lilsquirtz.com
MAMIE Homebase: Paris, France DESIGNER: Valerie Azria Sizes: 3 months to 18 years; Wholesale prices: Contact manufacturer By the last day of the show, I had grown weary of designers asking, "Have you seen the Mamie collection?"; but I know a line has something special going when other manufacturers point it out. Something special it is. Azria applies her Parisian sensibility to girls' underwear, turning out a collection of old fashioned yet chic garments in an unexpected palette: black, cream, dusty navy, inky purple, gray and dusty pink. The feeling is a little Gi-Gi with a touch of Bardot - more nice than naughty. Everything is shipped in antique looking hatboxes. Charming, no?
Outstanding pieces: Thank heaven for little girls, because little girls get to wear these heavenly sets. Tel: 33 67 93 49 135 E-mail: mamiecollection@hotmail.fr
MIMI & COCO Homebase: Montreal, Quebec, Canada Sizes: 3 months to 10 years; Wholesale prices: $20-$32 Talk about great basics. Mimi & Coco offers waffle knits, combed and ribbed cottons, lovely pointelle pieces and richly colored striped items that can stand-alone or be layered.
Favorites: Bold stripes can look slim when the cut is as long and lean as this spunky tee. The "Pointelle Beauties" leggings are especially delicate. US distributor: Smallshop Showroom Tel: 213-488-0090 E-mail: tiffany@smallshopshowroom.com
PIPER + OLIVE Homebase: Philadelphia, PA DESIGNERS: Caren Goldstein and Barbara Overholser Sizes: 3 months to 10 years; Wholesale prices: $11-$12 In their words: "Piper + Olive is the collaboration of two longtime friends who wanted to combine their skills in graphic design and communications with their love of original clothing design. We wanted to create a line of children's shirts that is playful and witty, fun enough for kids to want to wear, but also interesting enough to appeal to parents."
Favorites: Too cold for a day at the zoo? Slip on this playful tee and you're there. Tel: 215-247-0711 E-mail: info@piperandolive.com
RUN RUBY RUN Homebase: Laguna Beach, CA DESIGNER: Wendy Platt Sizes: NB to 24 months; Wholesale prices: $6-$32 In their words: "I wanted to create whimsical, price-conscious clothing made of the softest pre-washed fabrics for babies. My line is inspired by the spirit of my three children and translates fun into fashion. Baby clothing can be functional, soft and fun and we aim to achieve all three things in this line." Platt's new collection is the sister to her popular line Red Ruby Shoes. The cotton knit pieces with simple details like ribbon trim, a single ruffle or small-scale graphic make great giftware.
Outstanding pieces: Who needs bright, flashy graphics when these elegant renderings do the job so well. Another plus: you don't need to know the baby's sex when you give the set as a shower gift. The blue and brown colors are unisex. Tel: 949-510-3597 E-mail: rubyredshoes@cox.net
TODDLER AND UP JUNEY BLOOM (SEE OUR "BEST IN SHOW" STORY) Homebase: North Hollywood, CA DESIGNER: Susan Exley
ZELLY KIDS Homebase: San Francisco, CA DESIGNER: Giselle de Saint Phalle Sizes: 2 to 12 years; Wholesale prices: $17.25-$45.90 In their words: "The concept of the line is "gypsies go to the ballet." In this spirit I have tried to combine the whimsical and classic styles with a more ethnic feel. My aunt Niki de Saint Phalle was a great believer in bringing joy to children through her artwork. I hope by wearing Zelly, I can bring a bit more happiness into the lives of children as well." Giselle is the niece of the famous French sculptor and painter Niki de Saint Phalle who she credits as her "greatest inspiration." Aunt Niki would be proud of her niece's debut collection. de Saint Phalle's line works streamlined classic shapes such as tunics, blazers and a simple cardigan with Indian inspired paisley prints that lend a bohemian note to the works.
Outstanding pieces: A velvet blazer is the kind of go-with-everything piece a girl needs. The luscious raspberry color means the item can be worn fall through spring. The rosy tunic and slim pants are Jackie O chic. Tel: 415-963-2191; 336-730-6322 E-mail: zellykids@yahoo.com
BIG KID HILL & JILL Homebase: Toronto, Canada DESIGNER: Jodi Weisleder Sizes: 7 to 16 years; Wholesale prices: $29-$105 Weisleder's collection features conservative, beautifully manufactured sportswear with a few playful touches.
Outstanding pieces: If a girl could pick one knock 'em dead coat, this chic black number with the laser cut daisies would be it. Talk about a show-stopper. Tel: 416-785-7270 E-mail: jodi@jodicollections.com
SPECIAL OCCASION MY PASSIONE (L'ENFANT) Homebase: Los Angeles, CA DESIGNER: Fabiana Chang Sizes: 7 to 16; Wholesale prices: $30-$40 Special occasion collections can fall into two categories: Over the top frou-frou dresses or sexy, glitzy pieces better suited to a casino than a bot mitzvah. Chang pairs clean, feminine shapes in ethereal fabrics and a light hand with decorative elements. The result is garments that are glamorous in a youthful way with lines that flatter a teenage figure.
Outstanding pieces: Every detail of this lovely dress is meant to complement the wearer: The gathered bodice draws the eye up to a pretty face, the black center detail and silk sash shows off a slim waist, while the skirt falls in sheer, graceful folds. A girl couldn't help but feel attractive in this charming frock. Tel: 213-749-0733 E-mail: info@lenfantcollection.com
BOYS DA LIL' GUYS (BABY NAY) Homebase: Los Angeles, CA DESIGNERS: Nay Khoubnazar and Paul Nguyen Sizes: NB to 4T; Wholesale prices: $13-$23 This collection has every boyswear trend working: Western shirts, slim washed jeans with interesting stitching, great plaids overprinted with bulldozers, cool tie-dyes and a palette of slate blue, cocoa, a take-no-prisoners acid washed chartreuse and the richest red at the exhibition.
Outstanding pieces: Oh, brother. That western shirt with raw edges and visible stitching beats the blue denim version anytime. The romper is for one happening mini-dude. Tel: 323-780-4949 E-mail: nayetal@nayetal.com
Originally published April 12, 2007
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