There are a few obvious qualities we look for when selecting a "Best in Show" winner: A designer with a sense of a child's body and clean-lined clothing that flatters it; an intriguing feeling for color; and topnotch manufacturing. The other, harder to define criterion, is that intangible something that elevates a collection to one that is special.

For Spring 2008 our "Best in Show Newcomer" winner is Brooke Davies' CLOTHPONY collection. Davies' three groups exude a strong personal style. Each simple, organic cotton piece features just enough detail to lend feminine charm. Her two print groups allow retailers to mix and match the garments with ease, and each group works back to a line of solid pieces. The single-tone garments, in chocolate or oatmeal, blend modern bell-shapes with separates that possess a touch of Oliver Twist.

To fashion the prints, Davies partnered with Binth, a graphic company with a similar modern yet nostalgic aesthetic. The collaboration produced "Giddy" an ebullient daisy pattern in sophisticated gray, yellow and white; "Love" a single-tone leaf print in jade green; and the loose squiggle-stripe "Flame" colored in blazing red. Each pattern adds texture to the polka dots and ginghams that form the backbone of this line.

Congratulations Brooke! Clothpony galloped to the finish line with original textiles, confident silhouettes and a less-is-more philosophy that works.

BEST IN SHOW NEWCOMER FOR A GIRLS' COLLECTION WINNER: CLOTHPONY

DESIGNER: Brooke Davies

Sizes: 2 to 10 years; Wholesale prices: $16-$68

Before launching Clothpony (at ENK Children's Club, October 14-16, 2007), Davies received a BFA from the Art Institute of Chicago. After graduation, she held a series of design positions in New York including an internship at Yoehlee, and a styling gig at "Martha Stewart Weddings". Of that time, she says, "More than anything, I was influenced by New York and its high and low street style. I've been seduced by the rich history of the city's fashion, the Upper East Side boarding school plaid to downtown CBGB safety pin-encrusted style."

Strong women who influenced Davies' formative years are the inspiration for Clothpony's (the junior version of "clotheshorse") first collection. The "Annie" vest, part of the solid range, reflects the iconic style of Diane Keaton in "Annie Hall." The modern floral and polka dot "Loretta" dress is named for the country singer Loretta Lynn. And the garments in the "Love" print pay tribute to Patti Smith's "Horses" album, a recording that influenced her as a teen.

Davies describes her line:

"I spend a lot of time trying to find the balance between wearability, novelty and sustainability - translating beautiful children's clothing into a common language without compromising the garment's magic."

Favorites:

The "Haley" jacket over the "Birdland" tank worn with the "Clooney" shorts. If this ensemble isn't an effortless mix of old and new what is?

The "Gillian" is a simple gingham tunic. What makes the difference is its narrow shape, the keyhole neckline and the way Davies worked some of the weave on the diagonal.

A country singing star admiring the understated "Loretta" dress? It's hard to imagine. But Loretta Lynn, the garment's namesake, was known for taking the big hair and sequins look down a notch. Lynn would have approved of its happy daisy print and playful polka dot trim too.

Clothpony

PO Box 142

Venice, CA 90294

Tel: 310-230-5457

E-mail: Info@clothpony.com

www.clothpony.com

Originally published October 28, 2007