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Newcomers Pop at the Spring/Summer '08 Bubble Exhibition The Bubble New York exhibition (July 29-31, 2007) continues to attract new designers from the U.S. and abroad. The manufacturers below were serious about their launches, displaying fully realized, personal collections, each with a touch of humor. Keep an eye out for "The Deglingos Idol" competition. The wildly colored, patchwork animal dolls (from France) with a passion for singing, made their debut at Bubble. They'll be included in an "American Idol" like songfest as soon as they memorize a few lyrics.
APPAREL: EIGHT3ONE Homebase: Seattle, WA DESIGNER: Aimee Sher and Sven Bolen Sizes: 3 months to 6 years; Wholesale prices: $11.50-$13 Theme: Bringing the natural world to a child's tee In their words: Eight3One is "Eight letters, three words, one meaning…I love you." Sher and Bolen's sophisticated visual sense is evident in these richly colored tees.
Favorites: The sparrow's body is chubby; the beetle has lace-like legs and antennae. The design team has captured the most endearing qualities of the creatures and printed them front and center on their playful tees. (The infant one-pieces are organic.) Tel: 949-697-0542 E-mail: eight3one@oz.net
HILLY CHRISP Homebase: Shouson Hill, Hong Kong DESIGNER: Alex Weston Sizes: 6 months to 6 years; Wholesale prices: $26.50 Theme: Three-tiers of playfulness In their words: "Our skirts are colorful and unforgettable but are made with comfort and practicality in mind. They can be worn in the city, at the beach, in the country or to festivities. Dressed up or down a Hilly Chrisp skirt in the closet is an essential part of being a girl." Weston produces just one item: A three-tiered, multi printed skirt, each row of fabric outlined with a festive ribbon. She's correct about the item's versatility. With a T-shirt or simple blouse, the skirt is ideal for any casual occasion. Top it with a pretty sweater or a jacket, and a girl's got a party outfit.
Favorites: Ten color combinations to choose from, all winners. Tel: +852 2548 0919 E-mail: info@hillychrisp.com
KATE QUINN ORGANICS Homebase: Seattle, WA DESIGNER: Kate Quinn Sizes: NB to 8 years; Wholesale prices: $7-$72 Theme: Organic basics in lovely jewel tones In their words: "This season is all about rich organic fabrics and little things that you wish came in bigger sizes for yourself!" Organic textiles with buttery soft hands, a range of colors from bright to rich and funky, and shapes with a touch of vintage appeal: What's there not to like?
Favorites: This one-piece in vibrant leaf green Terrycloth will bring shouts of delight from parents. Tel: 877-760-2997 E-mail: kate@katequinnorganics.com
MARILYN TOV & CO. Homebase: New York, NY DESIGNER: Marilyn Tov-Oh Sizes: 2 to 10 years; Wholesale prices: $16-$50 Theme: Refined romance In their words: "Marilyn Tov's designs draw inspiration from her native Paris and her East Asian heritage. Her vision is to bring high-quality fabrics together with sophisticated designs to create easy-to-wear children's clothing that reflects the romance and poetry of her childhood in the City of Light." Tov displayed a tiny collection of delicate Jerseys, cottons and knits in flattering cosmetic tones. She's a romantic and a modernist who keeps her impulses for flourishes down to one or two high impact details.
Favorites: The "Plume" dress. Tov employs a mix of cotton voile, lightweight wool and fine Jersey to add layers of texture to this charming, dusty peach design. Tel: 917-293-3482 E-mail: infos@marilyntov.com
PEEK…AREN'T YOU CURIOUS (Fleur des Champs, Little Peanut, Williams & Sons, Surf Royalty and Sargent Fletcher) Homebase: San Francisco, CA DESIGNERS: Tina Canales and Amy Hennisch Little Peanut: Sizes: 3 to 18 months; Wholesale prices: $7-$40 Theme: Understated luxury In their words: (Little Peanut collection) "These pieces are casual enough to make life easy, but elegant enough to be passed down over time. Carefully crafted from the best fabrics available: Liberty prints, fine Japanese cottons and garment dyed knits to keep our little peanuts safe and comfortable." The shapes are easy to move in, the palette's a rich mix of dusty pale pink and plum, pinky cocoa, and charcoal. Sophisticated? Yes, yet there's plenty of whimsy.
Favorites: The glittery wrap sweater is all about the season's trends, but those Liberty print bloomers say, "I'm a baby who likes to have a good time." Tel: 415-512-7335 E-mail: wholesale@peekarentyoucurious.com
PUREBABY Homebase: Richmond, Victoria, Australia DESIGNER: Mirabai Winford Sizes: NB to 2 years; wholesale prices: $6.48-$22.48 Theme: Beautifully colored, organic cotton knit infant and toddler wear In their words: "Each piece in the Purebaby range is made from organic cotton of the highest certified standard, grown and harvested in an environmentally sensitive way without the use of toxic chemicals." I applaud a company that cares for the environment and ensures that their product is produced with as little negative impact on the earth as possible. Besides good intentions, the collection has to have eye appeal and with simple, modern shapes, charming prints and unusual colorings, Purebaby's got appeal in spades.
Favorites: That olive and sky striped tee looks so fresh and those tiny chocolate shorts…sigh. Tiny Ginger Showroom Tel: 646 645-9773 E-mail: tinyginger@gmail.com
SPECIALTY WEAR: WIKIPOP Homebase: Australia DESIGNER: Veronique Quinn Sizes: NB to 7 years; Wholesale prices: contact manufacturer Theme: Attractive swimwear with UV sun protection UPF 50+ Any activewear that protects children from sun damage is a winner. Wikipop's collection for girls and boys shields kids from the sun with modern, color block designs and quick drying textiles as well.
Favorites: These bold swim pieces are as attractive out of the water as they are practical for a long day in the drink. Tel: 613-9528-5457 E-mail: info@wikipop.com.au
BOYS: GEORGIE WORLD Homebase: El Segundo, CA DESIGNER: Bethany Herwegh Sizes: 2T-12 years; Wholesale prices: $13-$23 Theme: Retro surfer dude Think of Georgie as an athletic California kid who wants to look stylish on a skateboard. That's the aesthetic of this playful line.
Favorites: The tee and Bermuda shorts are so 60's chic. Ditto for the cocoa shorts (shown backwards) with the patched insert and cool bowling-style button down. Tel: 310-245-4845 E-mail: Bethany@georgieworld.com
BIBS, ETC. OOTS! Homebase: Santa Fe, NM DESIGNER: Arian Roefs Sizes: 6 months to 3 years; Wholesale prices: Dish sets: $14.50; bibs: $9 Theme: Unique, practical "bbibs" and coordinating dish sets In their words: "Our 'bbibs' are bibs with sleeves that are both stylish and functional. They cover arms and bellies to keep all of baby's clothes clean." A bib with sleeves? Think of all the shirts that'll stay clean! These 'bbibs' are all cotton Terrycloth, cover the waist - another plus - and are printed with cute motifs. The dish sets are made of 100 percent melamine, a long-lasting plastic that's unbreakable. Perfect!
Favorites: All the motifs and colors are adorable. Tel: 505-989-7707 E-mail: arian@madebyoots.com
TOYS: THE DEGLINGOS Homebase: Paris DESIGNER: Laurent Manceron Wholesale price: $20 Theme: Zany soft toys In their words: "A unique species of contagiously quirky animals, the Deglingos speak their own language which consists of finishing many words with 'os.' They all hope to win the upcoming 'Deglingos Idol' competition and can be found living in the best shops in town." Each Deglingos has a name like "Bigbos" the wolf, "Milkos" the cow and "Chikos" the hen, among others. They're a riot of color and texture - and with the madcap blurbs that accompany each doll - simply, a riot.
Favorites: Here's "Molos" the lobster and "Ronronos" the cat, but all 10 Deglingos "delightos" me. Tel: 419-830-4213 E-mail: Ryan@allnewmaterials.com
LITTLE RED STUGA Homebase: Goteborg, Sweden DESIGNERS: Ulrika E. Engberg and Kasper Medin Wholesale price: Approximately $130 Theme: An object that blooms In their words: "Dream Bag - a dream like flower for the young and old. Close it into a bud and let it blossom when or wherever you want either inside or outdoors."
The Dream Bag starts as a "bud" that can be easily gathered up and carried. It opens into a cotton flower that looks like a wonderful piece of Pop Art. Each "petal" is soft to the touch so a child can nestle in its center like Thumbelina. What an innovative gift! (Available in light blue, pink and gold with black.) Tel: +46 (0)709 610623 E-mail: kasper@littleredstuga.se
Originally published August 19, 2007
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