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At the January 2011 Children's Club: Newcomers for Fall/Winter 2011 Are well-trafficked shows the new normal? It's a question I asked myself, upon seeing the aisles at the recent ENK Children's Club (January 23-25, 2011). While not quite up to pre-recession standards, the numbers of retailers who braved the cold to peruse the new collections were higher than in previous seasons. Manufacturers seemed happy. Below, please give a warm welcome to a few talented newcomers that took the leap into childrenswear.
ANDREW & AUDREY Homebase: Brooklyn, NY DESIGNER: Rujira Lawonvisut Girls and boys sizes: 4 to 14 years; Average wholesale price: $29 " Modern preppy with a comfortable, distinctly American style." The designer debuted with a multi-piece collection of sportswear. She colors bold plaids, stripes and dots in dark, rich tones and layers them with classic shapes in corduroy, chunky knits and ribbed tights for a clean, casual sporty look.  Outstanding Piece: Plaid goes from grunge to tailored and chic with this Burberry inspired trench in a deep loden colorway. Thread Showroom (Terra Fazzio) Tel: 212-801-2387 E-mail: Terra@threadshowroom.com
Homebase: Haddon Heights, NJ DESIGNER: Nicola O'Connell Sizes: 12 months to 5 years; Wholesale prices: $15-$40 "A collection that is contemporary with a whimsical edge." Think of antique etchings, the paper slightly yellowed and the hand-painting worked in dusty tones of pale pink, blue, gray and green. That's the feeling of this charming, vintage-inspired collection.  Outstanding Pieces: The hand-dyed Fairy Party Dress has the feel of something precious tucked away in an attic. It's a memory channeled into fabric.  When you work in whisper tones and delicate details, it's easy to pile on the pieces without color and pattern overload. Tel: 215-764-0685 E-mail: Nicola@girlandmouse com
Homebase: London, England DESIGNER: Hsin Wei Girls and boys sizes: 2 to 16 years; Wholesale prices: $20-$80 "Modernist prints combined with vintage inspired patterns lend an edge of trendiness." Wei brings a sculptor's eye for shape and a love of deep neutral tones to this collection of couture sportswear and coats.  Outstanding Pieces: When is a bow more than a bow? When Wei twists it into this innovative shape. Instead of an A-line, the expected cut for a dress with a bow at the waist, Wei curves the hemline into the body for a fresh look.  A heavy sweater in a tone midway between mustard and khaki can double as a jacket. It's dressed down here with straight, cuffed trousers. Drew NY Showroom (Faigy Drew) Tel: 718-232-0012 E-mail: faigydrew@gmail.com
T-SHIRTS:
QUAGMIRE KIDS Homebase: Ontario, Canada DESIGNER: Bobby Pasternack Sizes: 4 to 14 years; Wholesale prices: $12.50-$27.50 "Colorfusion: The shirts that change color with heat!" You've read every slogan and seen every embellishment on a T-shirt. Quagmire Kids tees and polos are different. Really! Made with a special state of the art technology, the tops change color with heat. Lay a warm hand on the blue tee, for instance, and a temporary white handprint forms.  Outstanding Piece: A tee with a new kind of personalization. Great tie-dyed looks too. Tel: 476-785-1099 E-mail: Bobby@guagmiregolf.com
Homebase: Freeport, NY DESIGNERS: Shira Benedetto and Mindy Younger Sizes: 4 to 14 years; Wholesale prices: $11.95-$40 "Shira B.: Clothes kids love to wear!" The mother and daughter team exhibited a collection of fun tees and leggings for school and camp. The longer length tees are great for covering a bathing suit, and the bold graphics are just right for the trend-conscious girl.  Outstanding Piece: Campers won't have to guess what bunk to hit when she wears the "Party's here!" tee. Tel: 516-377-8518 E-mail: Info@shirabkids.com
SAILOR ROSE Homebase: New York, NY DESIGNER: Kirsten Mogensen Sizes: 2 to 8 years; Wholesale prices: $62-$92 "We hope that in these dresses our children will explore with abandon, soak up the sun, and be wild and free." It's reassuring to have one piece of clothing in a closet that always looks great and makes you happy when you wear it. Every Sailor Rose dress, in easy shapes and elegant Liberty prints, will become "that dress" for a little girl.  Outstanding Piece: Birds take flight on this easy-to-move-in piece. The bodice frames the face and large pleats lend a tailored, traditional touch. Tel: 646-514-0825 E-mail: Kirsty@sailorrose.com
TOM & DREW Homebase: New York, NY DESIGNER: Alexia Panza Sizes: 2T to 8 years; Wholesale prices: $13-$64 "A clothing line that lets boys be boys….in style." A new collection of boyswear that blends elegant style with a flash of humor.  Outstanding Pieces: You love layered pieces, but it's hard enough getting them to wear anything besides a T-shirt. This is one garment that looks like a sweater over a button-down shirt. Easy!  A beautifully cut and detailed tweed jacket takes the look from classroom to class photo. Tel: 917-553-6009 E-mail: alexia@tomanddrewboys.com
Seen at the January 2011 Children's Club; Originally published February 6, 2011
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