|
|
Fall 2009 Traditional Collections Seen at Children's Club and Bubble This season, themes that tie us to nature and a strong work ethic such as peasant chic and clothing meant for a farm hand are most relevant. Traditional dressing feels appropriate too. When the world spins out of control, it's comforting to reach for apparel that reflects timeless quality without affectation.
ASI - A SOFT IDEA Homebase: Westport, CT DESIGNER: Claudia Vargish Sizes: Girls 6 months to 6 years, boys infant to 20; Wholesale prices: $32-$38, extra for monogramming Personalized items with embroidered initials or names have never looked as current as they do this season.
Outstanding piece: Vargish's velvet dresses are fresh and crisp in unusual colors like this olive green tied with the brown and cream grosgrain bow. The narrow skirt and simple cap sleeves make it modern. Tel: 203-226-8600 E-mail: info@asiasoftidea.com
BELLA BLISS Homebase: Lexington, KY DESIGNER: Lisa McLean Sizes: Girls infant to 12 years, boys infant to 10; Wholesale prices: $9-$50 The shapes in this line are as clean as you'll find anywhere, and the colors, fabrics, and silhouettes are comfortably classic.
Outstanding piece: This pale pink corduroy dress is handsome, lean, and nearly free of detail. Less is more when you pair the item with an interesting sweater or jacket, and fun tights. Tel: 866-846-5295 E-mail: Blisscollection@speedbeam.com
FLORET BY SIMONE KAPLAN Homebase: Brooklyn, NY DESIGNER: Simone Kaplan Sizes: 12 months to 6 years; Wholesale prices: $20-$106 Floret's sweetly pretty dresses meant for tea parties and special birthdays jumped out from the Bubble exhibition's esoteric, sportswear collections like a newly bloomed daisy.
Outstanding piece: There's a touch of Heidi in this dress' styling that makes it a Boho/classic hybrid. Tel: 718-301-6820 E-mail: Simone@floretnyc.com
JEANINE JOHNSEN Homebase: Warwick, RI DESIGNER: Jeanine Johnsen Sizes: Girls NB to 14 years, boys NB to 20; Wholesale prices: $6-$40 Johnsen is finding inspiration in corduroy this season. She's worked it into modern dresses and jumpers, fun embroidered pants, and pretty tiered skirts all in fresh, jewel tones.
Outstanding piece: Any girl who grew up in the Sixties, wore a jumper like this. Fashionably vintage, its flutter sleeves and coordinating, delicate, Liberty print blouse has charm to spare. Tel: 401-738-1160 E-mail: Jjwestonem@aol.com
PEARS & BEARS/KAYCE HUGHES Homebase: Nashville, TN DESIGNER: Kayce Hughes Sizes: Girls infant to 14 years, boys infant to 7 years; Wholesale prices: $13-$44 Some of the cleanest lines in classic collections can be found at Pears & Bears. Hughes' understated garments have impact thanks to rich colors and a few carefully chosen details. For fall, she's offering baby alpaca sweaters with hand knit "grandma-made-it" appeal.
Outstanding pieces: This red corduroy piece with smocking front and back and soft fleece lining is right out of "Dick, Jane and Sally."
To ensure Dick doesn't have droopy drawers, button them to the retro plaid shirt. Tel: 615-298-1130 E-mail: Caroline@kaycehughes.com
VELVET & TWEED Homebase: San Francisco, CA DESIGNER: Tina Schreiber Sizes: 3 months to 5 years; Wholesale prices: $22-$58 Among the faux fur, hand printing, and au current color palettes at the Bubble exhibition, Velvet & Tweed stood out for its classic good looks.
Outstanding pieces: Ready for primetime or anytime are the perfect for all occasions classic red coat and pretty Liberty dress. The boy's outfit gets a touch of humorous formality with the Wall Street-worthy suspenders. Tel: 415-637-2090 E-mail: Tina@velvetandtweed.com
ANAVINI Homebase: Miami, FL DESIGNER: Vicente Velasquez Sizes: Girls infant to 14 years, boys infant to 6X; Wholesale prices: $48-$66 Every little girl should have one pretty smocked dress in her closet. With the rich brown dress, she'll be set for any special occasion.
Outstanding piece: Using unconventional colors like the dark cocoa hit with lime trim and multicolor dots, adds interest to the traditional shape. Tel: 800-466-5775 E-mail: Info@anavini.com
PAPO D'ANJO Homebase: Lisbon, Spain DESIGNER: Catherine Connor Sizes: Girls 6 months to 16 years; Wholesale prices: $20-$100 This is the collection that New York East Side moms as well as East Hampton mothers gravitate to. It's not funky and it's not stodgy - just timeless.
Outstanding pieces: The snap of the red, black and white plaid, the crisp white blouse and traditional jumper make for classic yet playful dressing.
Connor edges into more fashion forward ware with this ruffled blouse and Sergeant Pepper style striped jacket in delicious, bakeshop colors. Tel: 651-294-3900 E-mail: Stephanie@papodanjo.com
Originally published April 18, 2009
|
|
