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Fall 2007 ENK Children's Club: Traditional Collections With the demise of the belly baring T-shirt (and not a moment too soon if you ask most mothers), styles for girls and sometimes boys are returning to looks that are, if not demure, more age appropriate. With that in mind, smocked dresses, pretty special occasion dresses and classic outfits for boys have never seemed fresher (as seen at Children's Club, March 11-13, 2007).
ANAVINI Homebase: Miami, FL DESIGNER: Vicente Velasquez Sizes: 2T-14 years; Wholesale prices: Contact manufacturer Retailers shop this collection for its classically shaped dresses and boys' sportswear. This season, Velasquez has taken traditional smocking and given it a new twist.
Favorites: Smocking looks contemporary when it's set center stage in a comfortable T-shirt and paired with this vivid, grass green corduroy skirt. Little brothers look sharp too, in classic overalls adorned with whimsical smocked trucks. Tel: 305-261-1799 E-mail: info@anavini.com
D'ARCY BROWN Homebase: Pewsey, England DESIGNER: Clare Brown Sizes: NB to 8 years; Wholesale prices: $20-$46.95 The D'arcy Brown collection is well known in London, where Brown has a shop. This is her first time exhibiting in the US.
Favorites: The outfit gives a nod to classic skirt and blouse dressing, but the play of pattern and texture, as well as the lovely raspberry tones loosens the formality. Tel: 44-198-0635230 E-mail: mgbrown@btconnect.com
ISABEL GARRETON Homebase: San Pedro, CA DESIGNER: Isabel Garreton Sizes: Infant to 14; Wholesale prices: Contact manufacturer Garreton specializes in beautifully colored dress and sportswear groups. This season she hits all the marks with a traditional red, black and white group, as well as hipper looks in rich plums and reds or lime and chocolate.
Favorites: Two sides of Garreton: The silky pink and black dress has 30's glamour; the delicate celery colored smocked piece is pure traditional charm. Tel: 310-833-7768 E-mail: iginc@isabelgarreton.com
LADY BUG COLLECTION Homebase: Camp Hill, PA DESIGNER: Bill Jupitz Sizes: infant to pre-teen; Wholesale prices: $70-$250 Jupitz uses one or two statement details such as a huge flower or an interesting skirt treatment so his garments exude a regal elegance.
Favorites: When a skirt is this carefully crafted, you don't want to detract from its shape with lots of color. Keeping the flattering round collar and richly petaled blossoms in the same deep cocoa tone lends a rich, multi-dimensional, sculptural quality to the dress. It's a stunner. Tel: 717-761-2344 E-mail: info@ladybugcollection.com
MALLEY & CO. Homebase: Garland, TX DESIGNERS: Theresa Helms and Malley Gaulding Sizes: Jack and Teddy: 3 months to 6X; Malley Couture: 12 months to 10 years. Wholesale prices: Jack and Teddy, $25 average price; Malley Couture: $100 average price Malley & Co. is the first booth retailers hit when they're on the hunt for special occasion dresses and sportswear separates in clean tones and fresh, pretty prints. With the addition of Jack & Teddy a couple of seasons back, boys can get in on the goods, too.
Favorites: The designers take a classic party dress shape and lighten its mood with corduroy and the sporty and chic pale blue and chocolate combination. Tel: 972-840-6433 E-mail: malley@malleyandco.com
OLD WORLD BABY Homebase: Stamford, CT DESIGNER: Guida De Carvalhosa Sizes: 6 months to 8 years; Wholesale prices: $25-$75 This collection caters to buyers who look for traditional items as well as classic pieces in unusual colors and fabrications.
Favorites: The simple rows of stitching at the bodice, the single, elegant pleat down the front and the dusty sky and cocoa color combination make this dress a touch more sophisticated than the standard classic smocked piece. Tel: 203-461-8260 E-mail: decarvalhosa@aol.com
PEARS & BEARS Homebase: Nashville, TN DESIGNER: Kayce Hughes Sizes: NB to 14; Wholesale prices: $8-$50 Hughes relies on easy-to-move-in shapes and soft-to-the-touch fabrics to lighten up her classic collection.
Favorites: Hughes makes the most of the 60's inspired border print in this tailored yet playful any-occasion dress. Tel: 615-298-1130 E-mail: melodie@pearsandbears.com
SCHUSS Homebase: Vacarisses, Spain DESIGNER: Schuss design team Sizes: NB to 18 years; Wholesale prices: $16-$21 This multi-piece collection from Spain offers retailers loads of fashion forward separates as well as beautifully detailed pieces.
Favorites: There are no mini-me associations in the designs, just an appreciation of childhood in this delicate cardigan and pale cocoa velvet jumper. It's the kind of outfit people think of when they say, "Little girls should look like little girls." Tel: 34 93 82 81 120 E-mail: exportacion@schuss.es
WHITLOW & HAWKINS Homebase: New York, NY Designers: Dorothy Park Sizes: 2 to 14; Wholesale prices: $9.50-$38 Park has an eye for the one detail that sparks a look. She's a textile designer too, so her patterns are exclusive to the line and her color sense is impeccable.
Favorites: Meet Anna and Ella the sweater and skirt. Anna's clean and tailored; Ella likes a flourish here and there. They make a great team. Tel: 212-575-5770 E-mail: Dorothyp@jnrimex.com
Originally published April 24, 2007
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