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Fall 2009: Cheery Shades for a Sluggish Economy - Part I Let's not pretend. Things are not easy out there. So now's the time for a deep breath and a dive into an optimistic trend. Established manufacturers at the recent ENK Children's Club (January 5-7, 2009) understand the transforming properties of color. While there are still plenty of neutrals, gray in particular, they're used as a calming note in a palette of rich, lift-me-up-and-keep-me-there shades of red, luscious purple, electric blue and rose.
INFANT AND UP: APPAMAN Homebase: New York, NY DESIGNER: Harald Hussum Sizes: NB to 8 years; Wholesale prices: $12-$44 Harald Hussum isn't content to just sell T-shirts, although that part of his business is going strong. Each season, Hussum debuts a new group of products with a similar sweet yet edgy, richly colored aesthetic. For Fall 2009, he's introducing a group of narrow cut, jewel-toned down coats that will keep a child warm and glowing. His corduroy jackets have a softened biker appeal, and his garment-dyed pieces blend funky graphics with modern, playful shapes. In March, he'll launch a subtly colored, garment-dyed layette group designed by the owner of the former Queen Bee collection, Judy Pokonosky. It's a great season for this collection.
Outstanding pieces: Long, warm and deliciously colored in rich raspberry, this coat is sure to please.
Unusual graphics are an Appaman trademark. Here the trapeze artist swings over a deep plum ground. The tunic length tee has delicate seaming and a playful back detail. Tel: 212-460-5480 E-mail: Info@appaman.com
BABY CZ Homebase: New York, NY DESIGNER: Carolina Zapf Sizes: NB to 12 years; Wholesale prices: $58-$126 For Fall, designers love purple and its variations - plum, deep lavender, grape, and pale orchid. Zapf jumped on the purple bandwagon, printing the tone onto rich silk, and knitting it up in cashmere.
Outstanding pieces: With its dots, and generous ruffled trim, this silk number is a very special special occasion dress.
A classic cardigan gets a fresh new look when it's knit in vivid purple cashmere. The silk skirt lined in tulle for buoyancy adds charm. Tel: 212-580-5190 E-mail: Cz@babycz.com
BABY LULU Homebase: Commerce, CA DESIGNER: Erin Murphy Sizes: 3 months to 16 years; Wholesale prices: $26-$34 There was a time when I could walk into the Baby Lulu booth and know exactly what I'd find: Lovely, vintage-inspired print dresses and separates loaded with detail; matching big-brimmed hats - the Baby Lulu look. I still find that and lots more. Murphy is pushing the collection into new territory with a group of boys' cotton knits that feel like cashmere, include a guitar motif, and are colored in neutral shades like gray and black. Doesn't sound like Baby Lulu? It is. So are fantasy themed dresses.
Outstanding pieces: Here's the Baby Lulu we love. A great print; beautiful, wearable colors; and delicate details.
And here's Baby Lulu too. A bad boy Baby Lulu.
And, yes, this glimmering, multi-sparkled number is Baby Lulu, too. Note the velvet ribbon bows on the leggings. Tel: 323-485-LULU (5858) E-mail: info@babylulu.com
KISSY KISSY Homebase: Red Bank, NJ DESIGNER: Tatiana & Co. design team Sizes: Preemie to 24 months; Wholesale prices: Contact manufacturer Kissy Kissy is the collection retailers source when they want classic, beautifully made layette wear with a few fashion-forward touches.
Outstanding piece: This little dress, in lush velour is rich in smocked detail. The dusty coral-red is fresher than the traditional ruby we associate with the winter holidays. Tel: 732-345-5073 E-mail: Customerservice@kissykissyonline.com
MISH MISH Homebase: Closter, NJ DESIGNERS: Ilana Koren and Yael Ravid-Sagi Sizes: NB to 10 years; Wholesale prices: $6-$34 Mish Mish's early fall line is as laid-back as they come: heavy on neutral tones, rich in deconstructed edges, and cut for comfort.
Outstanding pieces: A baroque wallpaper print looks edgy colored in traditional army tones and edged in vivid pimento.
Boys mix it up with the mixed print hoodie, boat graphic tee and cargo-heavy pants. Tel: 201 641-6991 E-mail: Info@mishmmish-usa.com
GARB Homebase: Denver, CO DESIGNER: Garb design team Sizes: 3 months to 12 years; Wholesale prices: $12-$25 Garb is 12-years-old but new to Children's Club. The collection is a favorite at resort shops and better athletic stores.
Outstanding pieces: The Garb look: elegant classics just right for the golf course and tennis court. The items are manufactured with all cotton or high-performance materials and can be personalized with sports motifs. The collection is stocked year round for no-wait ordering. Tel: 303-674-3139 E-mail: Info@garbinc.com
KIDS INC. Homebase: Corona, CA DESIGNER: Anna Chiu Sizes: NB to 12 years; Wholesale prices: Contact manufacturer Heat transfer printing allows photographic images to be replicated onto fabric. The result is a strong graphic that takes on the characteristics of whatever cloth it's printed upon. Chiu uses the method for her collection of trendy cotton knitwear and wovens - and takes it a step further. Many of her pieces are placement prints, meaning that instead of transferring images on thousands of yards of fabric, the design is applied to one already cut piece at a time.
Outstanding pieces: The tunic dress is pretty and hip. The leggings are cut with a high waist making them comfortable and versatile - great with a dress, fun cuffed at the hips with a T-shirt.
Chiu gives a wink at formality with the tie-printed tee and funky woven shorts. Tel: 949-233-0352 E-mail: Annac@kidsink.com
Originally published February 6, 2009
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