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Children's Club January 2010: New Collections - The Situation The best thing I can say about 2009 is, "I'm thankful it's over." So I entered the ENK Children's Club Show (January 10-12, 2010) hoping for the best but still expecting the worst. The situation (that's environment, not the "The Situation" from MTV's "Jersey Shore." Being a Jersey girl, the show has my attention) was better than anticipated. While it was a small show with few new companies exhibiting, it was well attended. And, to my surprise, when I asked manufacturers how their sales were going, they shrugged and said, "They're writing orders." Hang in there designers and retailers. 2010 has to be better! So, welcome newcomers to the industry and a big thumbs up for guts, and, not least of all, the carefully considered collections that are relevant to the industry right now.
COMUS L COLLECTION Homebase: New York, NY DESIGNER: Comus Leu Sizes: Girls and boys 2 to 10 years; Wholesale prices: Wovens $25-$94, cashmere sweaters $72-$165 This new collection of European imports offers classic and trend forward separates, as well as a wonderful selection of jackets and coats for both sexes. The cashmere sweaters are shaped liked well-fitted jackets and feature charming details such as a knit corsage on one shoulder. The sweaters are pricey, but the quality is there.
Outstanding pieces: With its quilted lining, this topper is more than a pretty coat.
Chic? You bet. A girl can leave her umbrella at home when she dons the gold nylon trench with a removable hood.
This two-piece pea coat - a lightweight down liner that can be worn solo or under the attractive navy pea jacket - makes it just right for early fall through winter.
More than a sweater, not quite a jacket, this cashmere beauty dresses up jeans and lends an elegant note to a skirt. Tel: 212 768-1855 E-mail: Joseph@comuslkids.com
MAGNIFICENT BABY Homebase: New York, NY DESIGNER: Lauren Levy Sizes: Girls and boys 3 to 9 months; Wholesale prices: $5-$16.50 The 100 percent cotton bibs, hats, gowns and sleep sets are soft to the touch and printed with sweet animal designs. They're appealing, but it's the innovative way they open and close that make the items unique. Instead of the usual snaps, the items have a magnetic closure system, entirely covered by the fabric. You simply press the two sides together and you're done. The lead-free, CPSIA-compliant magnets never lose their power even after numerous machine washings.
Outstanding piece: Press the two sides of the boy's gown together and it's closed, simple as that. The item is shown in the Farm Print and is available in a dot or stripe pattern. (The same shape and prints in pink colorways can be purchased for girls.) Tel: (678) 637-8500 E-mail: info@magnificentbaby.com
JULIETTE SUNSHINE Homebase: Los Angeles, CA DESIGNER: Zoe Williams Sizes: 12 months to 6 years; Wholesale prices: $11-$26 William has combined repurposed vintage prints with organic bamboo and spandex to create girlish, one-of-a-kind separates. The color palette of rose, soft orange, plum and shots of black, make the items especially flattering.
Outstanding piece: The soft, easy sundress sports a blooming border of posies and a top that makes the most of its charming vintage print. Tel: 213 446-2402 E-mail: Info@juliettesunshine.com
BARE NAKED SHIRTS BY ANDEE LEW CLOTHING Homebase: Layton, UT DESIGNER: Lindsay Kelly Sizes: NB to 5T; Wholesale prices: $5-$6.25 The kids' market is saturated with T-shirts. There are tees with tattoos, tees with sequins, slogan tees galore, and if you want a tee with a Jimi Hendrix face you can find one of those too. What is harder to source is a good quality, cotton tee in a solid color. That's the logic behind the new Bare Naked Shirts. No slogans, no glitter, just six simple shapes available in six-mix-with-anything colors.
Outstanding piece: All the styles are cut to be comfortable yet not too loose, so they flatter the body. The Cap Sleeve tee has a high neck opening and an abbreviated cap that just curves over the shoulder. It's an elegant shape that's great solo or under anything. Tel: 801 628-4440 E-mail: Lindsay@andeelew.com
MY WORLD BY GREEN COTTON Homebase: Denmark Sizes: Girls and boys 3 months to 10 years; Wholesale prices: contact manufacturer DESIGNERS: The Green Cotton design team This collection of high-end organic cotton separates is popular throughout Europe and Asia. This was their first time exhibiting at ENK. The collection mixes rich, exuberant colors with fantasy prints for girls, and bold stripes and woodland inspired graphics for boys. Easy shapes prevail.
Outstanding pieces: My World designers do purple proud while promoting the season's hottest motif: the mushroom.
Strong colors and graphics and comfy denim pants with unusual stitched details make a bold statement. Tel: 617 268-1125 E-mail: Cs@themadgingroup.com
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