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The ABC Kids Expo: Still Green - Part V (Stationery, Toys, Fragrance, Skin and Hair Products, Jewelry) Like the trickle down of styles in the kids' market, fragrance for babies and children is gaining momentum. Several collections (at ABC Kids Expo, September 7-10, 2007) displayed bottles as attractive as anything you'll find in an adult perfumarie with no cutesie logos anywhere. The aromas are clean and fresh without mimicking soap or talcum powder scents associated with children's products. These products mark a new era in kids' fragrance. Check out the attractive jewelry that is safe for babies to pull and bite, and special niche market cards, too.
SKIN, HAIR AND FRAGRANCE BERJANG USA INC. Homebase: Los Angeles, CA Wholesale prices: Contact manufacturer Theme: Innocent scents for children and adults with sensitive skin Kids' fragrance is one of the fastest growing sectors of the children's market. Berjang offers delicate scents (brand names include IKKS, Le Petit Prince, Parfums Paris) for both sexes that are suitable for kids with sensitive skin. Favorites: I tried Jacadi's "Garcon-Eau de Toillete" for boys ages three to 12. It's described as "a masterpiece that opens with a fresh, fruity note of bergamot, peach and mandarin orange. It then makes way for a fruity floral heart of lily of the valley, rose and apricot." I wore it and smelled none of the floral or fruit scents. What the cologne reminded me of was a clean little boy wearing a freshly laundered cotton shirt. The scent is so natural, no one would guess the child was wearing cologne.
"Mademoiselle Jacadi Eau de Toillete" for girls ages seven to 16, blends rose, orange and litchi in a clean cologne that is young without being overly sweet. The box and bottle with the trademark Jacadi floral are lovely.
Tel: 310-820-4989 E-mail: Rebecca@berjangusa.com
EPICUREN BABY INNOCENCE Homebase: Burbank, CA CREATOR: Kimberly Heiman Walls Four-piece gift set: $26.77 Theme: "The natural path to a cleaner, healthier, happier baby." Celebrities have toted the Epicuren line of skin care products for its all natural ingredients and results oriented formulations. Now the company has introduced Innocence, a skin and hair products line for babies and expecting moms. Like the original collection, the ingredients are organic.
Favorites: The "Deluxe Gift Collection" features hair and body cleanser, baby massage lotion, blooming bubble bath and diaper cream. Each is light, refreshingly scented and leaves baby's skin soft and silky. Tel: 800-856-1009 E-mail: purelyhealth@aol.com
MATTER COMPANY Homebase: Toronto, ON CREATOR: Denise Williams Wholesale prices: $9-$22 Theme: Natural, organic body and bath products for mom and baby. Williams is a herbalist who develops the products in small batches to ensure freshness. Her ingredients - olive oil, comfrey leaf, and lavender - are good enough to eat.
Favorites: Matter - Outdoors All Heal Salve. Williams is Canadian so she understands the need for effective skin protection from the cold and wind. Her salve, which comes in a small metal tin and smells like fresh air and lavender, is great for keeping little noses and cheeks chap-free. For mom, it's ideal on cracked heels, dry hands and anything that needs softening. Tel: 416-292-0663 / 877.655.4372 E-mail: denise@mattercompany.com
STATIONERY WAITING FOR YOU Homebase: Bath, PA DESIGNER: Candace Dew Wholesale prices: Contact manufacturer Theme: Charming cards with photos of infants Waiting for You's photographic cards have sweet sayings that expectant and new parents will appreciate. For adoptive parents, cards contain messages such as "Congratulations on your chosen child" and "A miracle waiting to arrive." Ten percent of all profits go to Newborns in Need.
Favorites: Who could resist this roly-poly cherub? Tel: 610-837-7628 E-mail: info@waitingforyou.net
TOYS TRUNKI U.S. Importer: TrendyKid Suitable for kids ages three to six; Wholesale prices: $20 Theme: "Ride on kids. The Suitcase for globetrotting tots. The Trunki is the first ride-on suitcase for kids. The soft plastic case opens so children can stow all their must-haves like Barbie and her entire wardrobe, then they can either carry or pull the case (it comes with a heavy duty strap) or you can pull them while they ride. (Available in "Trixie" hot pink and "Terrance" electric blue.)
Tel: 888-873-6395 E-mail: Sales@trendykid.com
VITAMINA BEBE Homebase: New York, NY DESIGNERS: The Vitamina Bebe design collective Wholesale prices: Approximately $2.50-$10.50 Theme: Innovative toys and products for modern boutiques Try to remember a time when children's games employed a youngster's imagination, not their tech skills. Engaging toys and accessories are the company's specialty.
Favorites: These homespun cloth bags are filled with collections of felt animals, letters and traveling machines. No mouse to push or screen to gaze glassy-eyed at. Yay! Tel: 917-434-8127 E-mail: scheyla@vitaminabebe.com
JEWELRY SMART MOM Homebase: Ashton, MD DESIGNERS: Kendra LaDuca and Amy Maurer Creel Wholesale prices: $6-$10 Theme: "Pretty and practical solutions for real moms." You know how babies love to pull on earrings and necklaces and stick whatever they can into their mouths? Smart Mom solves the problem with these chic necklaces and bracelets. Each piece is made from the same federally approved silicone as many teething toys, so babies can chew without worries. The jewelry is nontoxic, phthalates free, non-latex and all pendants come with a breakaway clasp.
Tel: 301-774-6981 E-mail: sales@smartmomjewelry.com
Originally published October 18, 2007
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