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Fall/Winter 2011 At ENK Children's Club: Cold Outside; Heating Up Indoors Did you feel the charge in the air at ENK Children's Club (January 23-25, 2011)? I did. The mood was upbeat with new and established manufacturers exhibiting well-edited collections. While looks were all over the style map, in girls' collections jewel tones and ruffles ruled; while deep hues and narrower shapes lent an elegant edge to boys' rugged separates.
ZUTANO Homebase: Cabot, VT DESIGNER: Uli Belenky Girls and boys sizes: Preemie (4 lbs. and up) to 4T; Approximate wholesale prices: $8-$23 Navy and lime can seem a little too "meet-me-at-the-golf course." Unless you're Uli Belenky. The designer has a knack for mixing color that renders even familiar combinations fresh and unexpected.  Outstanding Pieces: Yes, navy and lime never looked so "of-the-moment," but there's more than color here. Notice the way the textures, multiple motifs and shapes tell a story. It's satisfying to see the way the line comes together, and, of course, how well it merchandises.  Buyers should plan on a long line of grandmas gathering outside their shops to grab these little numbers. Beyond adorable! Tel: 800-827-5139 E-mail: zutano@zutano.com
Homebase: Fountain Valley, CA DESIGNER: Rose Jannuzzi Girls and boys sizes: NB to 8 years; Wholesale prices: $8.50-$30 With their playful, timely motifs, minky appliqués and vivid colorations, Jannuzzi's one-pieces, tutus, leggings and pants make ideal gifts.  Outstanding Pieces: Babies will be too busy cooing at the plush squirrel to notice that the T-shirt is the "it" tone for fall. Adorable loose knit denim pants look great with the tee and can be dressed up with a sweater. Tel: 866-270-4793 E-mail: Info@jannuzziclothing.com
Homebase: Corona, CA DESIGNER: Anna Chiu Sizes: Girls and boys NB to 10 years; Wholesale prices: $16-$32 In addition to her playful "inked" graphics on cotton knit, Chiu adds feminine stretch velvet and nylon designs.  Outstanding Pieces: No matter what shape they take, a garment with an "inked" motif has a bit of an edge. The velvet number and frilled pink ruffled dress with a subtly metallic sheen channel only sweet femininity. Tel: 949-233-0352 E-mail: Annac@kidsink.com
Homebase: Los Angeles, CA DESIGNER: Stephenie Higgins Sizes: 2T to 14 years; Wholesale prices: $8-$34 Higgins' comfortable yet body-conscious separates exude the laid-back style of California. Dark jewel tones paired with gray lend sophistication.  Outstanding Piece: Lace can look vintage or formal or frou-frou. In Higgins' hands, it becomes a casual stripe making the pattern new. Tel: 213-542-1152 E-mail: Stephenieh@lamade.net
Homebase: Princeton, NJ DESIGNER: Nicole Johnson Girls and boys sizes: Preemie to 8 years; Wholesale prices: $14-$16 Johnson's organic pajamas offer not only incredible softness and charming patterns, but many designs have closed ends at the sleeves to prevent a baby from scratching herself.  Outstanding Piece: Sweet dreams, sailor. Tel: 970-300-4914 E-mail: Nicole@newjammies.com
Homebase: La Canada Flintridge, CA DESIGNER: Wen Reese Girls and boys sizes: 2 to 10 years; Wholesale prices: $9.50-$26 Reese offered a collection of easy, feminine bamboo cotton knits in soft candy colors for girls and casual pieces for boys. 
Outstanding Pieces: Reese cuts lightweight fleece into narrow, body-conscious shapes, like a sweater, so the garments are chic yet warm - without bulk. Tel: 818-647-1382 E-mail: Wen@skylarclothing.com
Homebase: Los Angeles, CA DESIGNER: Shayna Samuels Girls and Boys sizes: 18 months to 10 years; Wholesale prices: $3.75-$4.25 When it comes to cool boxers and briefs for boys, well, the little guys are under served. Samuels introduced bright colored underwear for boys (and their sisters). Time to retire the tighty-whities.  Outstanding Pieces: Smooth fit, soft feel and great colors: because what goes under the clothes is important too. Tel: 213-612-3710 E-mail: Citythreads@aol.com
Seen at the January 2011 Children's Club; Originally published February 12, 2011
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