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Spring/Summer 2010 ENK Children's Club: New Exhibitors; Retailers Are Back - Part I Any new business requires the entrepreneur to take a leap of faith. With the economy being what it is this year, that leap was profound. So we salute the brave newcomers who exhibited (at Children's Club, August 2-4, 2009) easy-to-merchandise lines, and, in most cases, sensitivity to retailers limited budgets. As exciting as it is for us to see new faces, we're just as happy to see retailers walking the aisles and placing orders. Yes, 2009 was no picnic, but we're moving forward.
SPORTSWEAR: INFANT AND UP CUPCAKES & PASTRIES Homebase: Los Angeles, CA DESIGNERS: Sumit and Inshi Khanna Sizes: 12 months to 8 years; Wholesale prices: $25-$36 Don't be fooled by the cute name. This collection is as sophisticated as they come. Each item in the line possesses an art-to-wear quality yet nothing looks precious.
Outstanding pieces: The Khannas give depth and sophistication to sweet eyelet by dying it a deep, saturated indigo blue and trimming the piece with silver metallic and square rhinestones. Gorgeous.
Polka dots and African beading don't make a harmonious couple? They pair beautifully in this stunning piece that joins the two disparate patterns in blissful matrimony. T: 818.825.7720 email: info@cupcakesandpastries.com
MINIHAHA Homebase: Glen Iris, Australia DESIGNER: Joanne Sackville Sizes: Girls infant to 6X; Wholesale prices: Contact manufacturer The Minihaha collection for girls offers delicate prints and tones with a few pops of pretty color and fashionable yet classic shapes.
Outstanding pieces: There are trend-driven elements to this set: the one-button cardigan with the bubble-detailed sleeves and the bow-tied waist and circle skirt are all very current. The set looks timeless though, thanks to the subtle colorations of the Liberty print and the always fresh coral sweater. Tel: 866-262-2654 E-mail: Fvachon@creationsrobo.com
NOPPIES Homebase: Lelystao, Netherlands DESIGNERS: The Noppies design team Sizes: NB to 4 years; Wholesale prices: $8-$38 Noppies launched with a beautifully colored, easy-to-merchandise collection for both sexes. The palette for girls - bright coral, peach, navy and white - is especially fresh. The boys' line is very "boy": not too trendy with lots of sports motifs.
Outstanding pieces: Noppies' girls' palette is sophisticated yet packs a punch of lush, fruity color.
There's plenty of detail worked into the beautifully colored, argyle-patterned polo shirt and denim shorts yet neither piece looks fussy. Duo Kids (Robin Wilcher) Tel: 212 354-2371 tel: 778.229.1299 E-mail: Info@mkkidswear.com
TANGERINE SKY Homebase: Taunton, MA DESIGNER: Jackie Joachim Sizes: 2T to 10 years (some infant sizes); Wholesale prices: $10-$30 "Tangerine Sky"? Don't they mean Tangerine Tree or Marmalade Sky like the Beatles' "Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds"? "Who cares?" you say, or, worse, "Who are the Beatles?" Never mind. Sky, trees, whatever: the collection is a winner.
Outstanding piece: The pretty, crinkled cotton floral print combined with the graphic navy and white dot make a bold statement. The knit motorcycle jacket gives the feminine piece a bit of androgynous charm. Tel: 508-822-8612 E-mail: Johnnd@globaltexkids.com www.tangerineskycollection.com
MINI ROTATION Homebase: Milwaukee, WI DESIGNER: Brian Holoubek Sizes: 3 months to 6 years; Wholesale prices: $12-$14 Mini Rotation's knit jerseys are a little bit funky and a little bit sweet. Comfortable shapes with several romper styles and playful illustrations make the garments ideal for casual wear.
Outstanding piece: Mini Rotation's prints are as playful as this kitten about to tangle itself in a skein of yarn. Tel: 414-384-5200 E-mail: info@holoubekstudios.com
OTTO & LULU Homebase: Philadelphia, PA DESIGNERS: Karen Bogut Sizes: Girls and boys 6 months to 12 years; Wholesale prices: $14-$24 Everything in this collection of T-shirt and T-shirt dresses is an original motif, hand-screened and hand-dyed in small batches. The look is nature-based and a little edgy; the colors are saturated.
Outstanding piece: The oversized rose is big and bold and the hand-dyed ground is a color somewhere between papaya and the showiest moment of a sunset. Tel: 215-427-0590 E-mail: Heynebogut@aol.com
GREEN COTTON Homebase: Denmark DESIGNER: Sanne Norgard Sizes: Girls NB to 6X, boys NB to 7 years; Wholesale prices: $5.75-$50 Green Cotton launched with three large, well-coordinated collections for baby, boy, and girl. Upmarket patterns and careful attention give this casual line European flair.
Outstanding pieces: Shades of coral and apricot are carried through the lines. Here it shows up in this feminine tunic. The comfortable pants are given shape with a drawstring waist and elastic knit at the ankles.
Coral appears again in this gorgeously colored, two-piece set alive with playful salamanders. Tel: 781-326-4511 E-mail: Trevor@themadgingroup.com
Originally published August 25, 2009
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