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Fall 2009: Cheery Shades for a Sluggish Economy - Part III
INFANT AND UP: OOH! LA, LA! Homebase: Port Jefferson, NY DESIGNERS: Ann Dugourd and Jennifer Rotunno Sizes: 12 months to 10 years; Wholesale prices: $5-$33 There's no end in sight for the tutu craze. Ooh! La, La! designers keep the trend alive with fluffy, multi-tiered skirts; animal prints sparkling with glittery details; and exuberant color.
Outstanding pieces: Tulle, toile prints, ruffles and an edgy hoodie. Ooh! La, La! indeed. Tel: 631-220-5612 E-mail: Info@oohlalacouture.com
WIDGEON/SARA'S PRINTS Homebase: San Leandro, CA DESIGNER: Pam Steber Sizes: 12 months to 6 years; Wholesale price for coat: $44 Playful prints, beautifully colored pajamas, separates and outwear have made this old timer a staple at better boutiques.
Outstanding piece: This is quite the little coat. The skirted shape is feminine, the color is lovely, the collar is face-framing and warm. That laser-cut border is like the lace trim on a valentine. It's machine washable, too. Hands down, the prettiest coat at the show. (Available in lilac, red and rose.) Tel: 888-477-4687 E-mail: Info@sarasprints.com
TODDLER AND UP: SAURETTE Homebase: New York, NY DESIGNER: Lisa Kanouse Sizes: 2 to 12 years; Wholesale prices: Fall $35-$74 Saurette was one of my "Best in Show" winners for Spring 2009, so I was excited to see what Kanouse cooked up for Fall. I wasn't disappointed. She continues to balance feminine details like ruffles and tucking with modern shapes and an interesting, personal color palette.
Outstanding pieces: The sweater is so fine it's nearly sheer and the pointelle details, the bib front, and that riveting blue make a statement. The top gives a wonderful narrow contrast when paired with black circle skirt. Tel: 646-729-3528 E-mail: lisa@fieldingproductions.com
DRESS LINES: BLUSH BY US ANGELS Homebase: Los Angeles, CA DESIGNER: Miriam Jacob Sizes: 7 to 16 years; Wholesale prices: $31 to $60 Jacob's dresses straddle the line between sweet and tart. Her color palette includes candy shades and pastels with enough color so as not to look too wallflower-ish. The details are especially pretty.
Outstanding piece: This clip dot dress allows plenty of movement for dance, has a flattering bodice, and that rosette detail is elegant. The smocked back is pretty too. Tel: 213-624-4477 E-mail: Info@usangels.com
FLORET Homebase: Brooklyn, NY DESIGNER: Simone Kaplan Sizes: NB to 7 years; Wholesale prices: Dresses $12-$50, dolls $15-$26 It was girls and dolls at the Floret booth. Kaplan introduced full smocked-shaped dresses for fall 2009 in rich, contrasting Liberty prints, and dolls so cute they're destined for a prominent spot on better boutique shelves.
Outstanding pieces: Cute and cuter - the dress is elegant in contrasting soft brown patterns and the dolls, well, look at them! Tel: 718-301-6820 E-mail: Simone@floretnyc.com
KNITS: SAM'S FRIEND Homebase: New York, NY DESIGNER: Shelley Hunt and Gloria Sotelo Sizes: 12 months to 7 years; Wholesale prices: $15-$42 Fall promises to be a terrific season for Sam's Friend. Hunt and Sotelo are big on dresses and they've knitted up the cutest. Look for a terrific palette of orchid, rose, purple, and periwinkle offset with lime; adorable animal and sometimes Asian-themed motifs; appliqués made with pieced calicos for a hand-spun effect and all sorts of judiciously used glittery thread.
Outstanding pieces: Two great garments: The colors, the kimono styling, and that adorable geisha doll make this dress a collector's item.
The snowman gets a gift and the observer gets a treat: the two little birds are a back detail. Fun! Tel: 212-967-2918 E-mail: Mbsskivvy@aol.com
MJK KNITS Homebase: New York, NY DESIGNER: Melissa Karetsky Sizes: NB to 4 years; Wholesale prices: $20-$22 What keeps retailers returning to Karetsky's booth? Great sweaters in rich colors, easy shapes, and a penchant for personalization.
Outstanding pieces: What's a great sweater without a great hat? Tel: 212-289-9626 E-mail: Mjkknits@nyc.rr.com
Originally published February 6, 2009
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