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Spring 2010 at Bubble New York: A Little Something Something - Part I In addition to lovely, price-conscious collections from established manufacturers (Bubble New York, August 2-4, 2009), I noticed something new. To extend their labels beyond apparel stores and boutiques, designers have added toys - most often hand-crafted dolls and knit pieces - as well as jewelry to their lines creating an opening for sales in gift and toy shops. They're smart. In this economy it makes sense to broaden the market.
New additions to the Ses Petites Mains collection: Tiny Chic Creatures.
A line up of sweet to sassy styles from Bubble's designers.
A loft like corner of Cedar Lake, Bubble's new venue.
SPORTSWEAR: INFANT AND UP: CHASE 'N SKY Homebase: Lake Oswego, OR DESIGNER: Lindsey O'Neill-Myers Sizes: 6 months to 10 years; Wholesale prices: $14-$54 Chase 'N Sky originated in Hawaii where dressing is all about doing battle with the sun. O'Neill-Myers has always handled beach clothing elegantly. Her separates, in fine cotton or linen, are cool against the skin and cut to allow movement, and her palette of pastel tones have a soothing effect on the eye. For spring, she's introduced four UV protective styles treated with Sun Shield so they not only look cool and comfortable, they keep sunburns at bay.
Outstanding piece: The light, soft Sun Shield Tunic looks chic over a bathing suit or shorts and works hard to prevent the harmful effects of the sun. Tel: 808-557-4099 E-mail: Chasenskybaby@chasensky.com
ELEPHANTITO Homebase: Key Biscayne, FL DESIGNER: Maria Frallicciardi Sizes: Girls and boys NB to 8 years; Wholesale prices: $14.50-$35 Classic styling and fresh Liberty prints make this collection ideal for traditional as well as trendy buyers.
Outstanding pieces: Coral is the "must-have" color this spring and this coral print is the prettiest in the market.
Tiny bunches of blooms enliven the Bouquet Bloomer and Bouquet Tiered Dress. While the fabric suggests classic design, both the one-piece shape and Mexican style dress with flutter sleeves are timely. Tel: 305-968-9004 E-mail: 365key@bellsouth.net
FOURNIER Homebase: Miami, FL DESIGNER: Anabel Fournier Sizes: 6 months to 6 years; Wholesale prices: Necklaces $10, apparel $10-$40, tea set $38 Long known as a couture knit collection of baby Alpaca hand-knits, in recent years Fournier has branched out into wovens, and now she has added charming crocheted necklaces, hair accessories, and even "tea sets" to the mix.
Outstanding pieces: This little seersucker number is as cool and crisp as a striped awning.
Playtime just got a whole lot more fun with this crocheted "tea set" and delectable "pastries." Tel: 305-677-9993 E-mail: Afournier@petitsfournier.com
KICOKIDS Homebase: New York, NY DESIGNER: Tia Cibani Sizes: Girls and boys 2 to 12 years; Wholesale prices: $16-$100 Cibani's attention to sculpting shape and her eye for combining fabrics leans toward couture collectibles. I'm always intrigued by her individuality.
Outstanding piece: The bubbles on the sheer Organza float over the opaque body adding layers of dimension to the dress.
What looks like a bit of faux trickery is a real pocket. A (real) zipper opens one shoulder seam.
Cibani's quirky creativity finds another outlet with her collections of hair accessories, jewelry, and other pieces that defy categorization. The Jersey Collar with Organza Flowers would make a simple T-shirt look special. Ditto for the Gummy Charm Cascade Necklace. Tel: 617-764-0352 E-mail: Nickychong@kicokids.com
Originally published August 31, 2009
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