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MOVE OVER, BIG KID. BABIES BACK IN TOWN A few years ago, the buzz word in the kids' market was "boys". Designers realized that the time had come for fashionable garments for the little brother, and, that an American parent was ready for hip boyswear too. Then we had a few seasons when anything "tween" had a special "this is so new!" cachet. And then the market for luxury infantwear soared. It's hard to believe, but there was a time when one couldn't find a cashmere sweater for a baby! And, of course, the demand for organic, everything "green" products remain. But, back to babies. Regardless of the economic climate, people form unions and create families. Babies are born. With the newest among us in mind, wherever possible, I've included a collection's infant sizes as well as tots and kids from the Fall/Winter 2011 Children's Club (March 6-8, 2011). Hello, infantistas!
3 POMMES Homebase: Lyon, France DESIGNERS: The 3 Pommes design team Sizes: NB to 12 years; Wholesale prices: Contact Groupe Zannier for pricing Charcoal and silver form the backbone of this multi-piece line. The designers pop the neutrals with raspberry, fuchsia and bright purple.  Outstanding Pieces: An infant chiffon dotted dress and T-shirt are brightened with a berry-colored cardigan.
Look at what a shot of hot pink does for silver!
Groupe Zannier USA (Natacha Abramoff) Tel: 212-279-7672 Jamesgirone.com/zannierusa.com
Homebase: Jacksonville, FL DESIGNER: Patricia Cammareri Sizes: 12 months to 10 years; Approximate wholesale prices: $40-$70 The Fall/Winter 2011 A.Bird collection has a decidedly European palette of black, charcoal and white that lends a chic note to all the ruffles.  Outstanding Pieces: Every collection should have one "wow" piece, and the Kalan Coat is it. Everything from the narrow shape, the tiered bottom and side buttons is pure flattering elegance. Can that be topped? Indeed it can. Turn the coat over and the back sports a pin striped-lined bustle. The coat is lovely worn with the Ilse bubble skirt or any of the narrow pants in the collection. Tel: 904 710-3549 E-mail: Patricia@abirdbaby.com
Homebase: Brooklyn, NY DESIGNER: Rujira Lawonvisut Girls and boys sizes: 4 to 14 years; Wholesale prices: $15-$45 Usually relegated to cruise and spring collections, nautical themes and colorations are showing up - and looking fresh - in fall/winter lines.  Outstanding Pieces: Imagine Audrey in this little dotted knit dress and Andrew in the cardigan with jeans or pinstriped trousers. Like a bracing breath of sea air. Threads Showroom (Terra Fazzio) Tel: 212-801-2387 E-mail: Terra@threadshowroom.com
Homebase: New York, NY Sizes: NB to 10 years; Wholesale prices: $14-$60 DESIGNER: Harald Husum He's cornered the T-shirt market; is the "go-to" place for comfortable, richly colored cotton knits and sportswear; now he's making inroads into boys' jackets and suiting. Boyswear manufacturers, be scared. Be very scared.  Outstanding Piece: The Mini Professor tweed jacket. If only my philosophy teacher looked that hip. Tel: 212-460-5480 E-mail: Info@appaman.com
Homebase: New York, NY DESIGNER: Carolina Zapf Sizes: NB to 12 years; Wholesale prices: $43-$250 Luxurious fabrications for infants through tweens, clean shapes and touch of whimsy define Baby CZ for fall.  Outstanding Pieces: Oh, baby, do you look elegant in this pale gray-blue three-piece ensemble knit from pure cashmere.  Big sister looks just as sharp in the retro-styled silk charmeuse dress with the punchy print and flirty bow at the neckline. Tel: 212-580-5190 E-mail: Db@babycz.com
Homebase: Commerce, CA DESIGNER: Erin Murphy Sizes: Girls 3 months to 6X; Wholesale prices: $11-$30 With prints exclusive to the Baby Lulu line and a palette of fashion forward tones, Baby Lulu's infant and kids' line is full of whimsy. And the hats!  Outstanding Pieces: Murphy gets a lot of punch from two simple elements: the motif that suggests a lion and dramatic stripes.  The dress shows a softer side of stripes as well as a romantic floral and coloration. Ali's Market (Allison Moroze) Tel: 212-695-2300 E-mail: Allison@alismarket.com
Seen at the March 2011 Children's Club; Originally published March 21, 2011
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