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Children's Club January 2008: Newcomers - Small in Number, Big in Impact - Part I The bright spot among the January (6-8, 2008) little-bit-of-everything ENK Children's Club exhibition were the few fearless Indie designers breaking lines. I say "fearless" because launching a business - any business - is a leap of faith in your own talent and business acumen, and, in a small part (forgive my Blanche Dubois moment), "the kindness of strangers." Don't be surprised when the newcomers below become boutique staples.
INFANT AND UP SPORTSWEAR BODEMI (WAS BOREN COUTURE) Homebase: Scarborough, ME DESIGNER: Boren Lon Sizes: 6 months to 4T; Wholesale prices: $24-$65 Lon's collection is filled with lots of bright cotton prints, flounced-skirted specialty dresses and unique gift items. It's the easy shapes and clever use of detail seen in her solid linen group though, that caught my eye.
Outstanding pieces: Cut loose and comfortable with contrasting serged-edges, the "Athena" makes an ideal play or party piece. Tel: 888-611-1333 E-mail: info@bodemi.com
FLORET Homebase: Brooklyn, NY DESIGNER: Simone Kaplan Sizes: 3 months to 4T; Wholesale prices: $17-$32 There was a time when the words "baby dress" conjured up one image: a delicate cotton piece with a fine, hand-smocked bodice. Kaplan brings back the look with her timeless collection of traditional infant and toddler sets. They're charming.
Outstanding pieces: This fresh green set is as sweet as a baby's pink cheek and just as irresistible. The dress comes with matching bloomers. Tel: 718-301-6820 E-mail: simone@floretclothing.com
KICKY PANTS Homebase: Los Angeles, CA DESIGNER: Erin Cloke Sizes: NB to 24 months; Wholesale prices: contact manufacturer Cloke chose bamboo knit for her simple, sweetly colored basics. Why? There are no pesticides or herbicides in the growing process; the fabric possesses unique antibacterial properties and a natural wicking ability that keeps baby warm and dry. If that's not enough, the material is soft, light and exceptionally silky. Any questions?
Outstanding pieces: The coverall, available in five subtle colors, goes solo as a one-piece or functions as a cozy layering item. Snaps along a back panel make diaper changing simple. Tel: 310-492-5707 E-mail: wholesale@kickypants.com
INFANT AND UP KNITWEAR BAMBEENO CASHMERE Homebase: Atlanta, GA DESIGNERS: Whitney O'Brien and Jen Fritz Sizes: 3 months to 6 years; Wholesale prices: $18-$62 Any child who receives a sweater from this new collection is one lucky bambino. Fritz and O'Brien knit their classic, softly colored shapes with two-ply cashmere for superior hand and drape.
Outstanding pieces: Love the tunic, the signature "bee" dress, the hoodie, and, well, everything else. Tel: 404-816-0901 E-mail: info@twobeescashmere.com
BABY BAMBU Homebase: Paramus, NJ DESIGNER: Gwen Bucher Sizes: NB to 24 months; Wholesale prices: $2.75-$28 Bucher's debut collection of knit basics and sweaters utilize bamboo yarns. The product is hypoallergenic, harvested with no pesticides and offers UV protection. The sweaters, available in natural only (more colors coming soon), have charming details like the pompom ends on the front tie.
Outstanding pieces: Bucher's collection is classic, pretty and environmentally sound as well. That's a whole lot of good. Tel: 201-637-5244 E-mail: cort@babybambu.com
TODDLER AND UP CATCH A FIRE Homebase: Miami, FL DESIGNER: Cedella Marley Sizes: NB to 10 years; Wholesale prices: $17.50-$32 Does the designer's name sound familiar? Yes, the legendary reggae star Bob Marley's daughter has launched a line. The children's book author and entrepreneur's collection features T-shirts, appropriately printed with her dad's image, hoodies, denims and batiked cottons with a right-off-the-tour-bus appeal.
Outstanding pieces: Wear it to school, to the beach or a party: a girl could spend the summer in this pretty, easy cotton piece. Tel: 212-598-4700 Email: karen@catchafireclothing.com
PEACE OF CAKE Homebase: New York, NY DESIGNER: Hollie Watman Sizes: 4 to 14 years; Wholesale prices: $12-$44 Peace of Cake debuted with a small collection of mod sportswear and candy-colored sweaters.
Outstanding pieces: This little dress with its lovely lace pieces and rainbow of vintage-style ribbons reminds me of grandma's sewing project - a sophisticated grandma that is. It's a knockout over leggings. Tel: 212-967-4663 E-mail: customerservice@cejon.com
Originally published January 24, 2008
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