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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!
Homebase: Ross, CA DESIGNERS: Maryam Barrett and Genevieve Chapman Sizes: Girls: 3 months to 14 years; boys: 3 months to 12 years; Wholesale Prices: $16-$175 for a 4-ply Scottish cashmere coat Move over Oprah. Gwyneth Paltrow is the new king (or queen) maker. Maryam Barrett says her e-mails and phone calls have hit the stratosphere since Paltrow "Gooped" her on the celebrity's Goop.com website.  Outstanding Pieces: Paltrow wrote about spring pieces, but I have no doubt that she'd swoon for these silky cotton baby sister/big sister navy and white dotted pieces. The baby sister dress and diaper covers celebrate the lush roundness of an infant, while the big sister item has the sophistication a tween wants without the rock 'n roll edge that some moms want to avoid. Tel: 917-796-9771 E-mail: Maryam@busybees-kids.com
Homebase: Miami, FL DESIGNERS: Rocio Vega and Fadia Daveri Sizes: 2 to 16 years; Wholesale prices: $11-$30 Wanting to showcase the fine workmanship and textiles of Peru, the two long-time friends launched Camille & Sophie, a collection of better sportswear and knits.  Outstanding Pieces: The hand knit, baby alpaca dresses look fashion forward in the season's rich plum shades. Tel: 646-290-5680 E-mail: Rocio.vega@camillesophie.com
Homebase: New York, NY DESIGNER: Jennifer Connaughton Sizes: Girls and boys: 6 months to 8 years; Wholesale prices: $17-$63 Careful editing, subtle colorations and delicate prints make this collection a dream to merchandise.  Outstanding Pieces: The floral Madeline dress is so simple, and yet with a great print the only details needed are the tucks for shape and the grosgrain belt.  Connaughton works "grandpa chic" into this wool cardigan and the narrow cut Knee Patch pants. Lolligo Showroom (Lisette Van Adrichem) Tel: 347-394-3151 E-mail: Info@lolligo.com
Homebase: France DESIGNERS: The IKKS design team Sizes: NB to 7 years; wholesale prices: $13-$79 Combinations of black, charcoal and white were prevalent in domestic as well as European collections, and appeared in layette all the way to junior groups. The IKKS design team keeps the palette child-friendly by adding lace cut-outs, metallic and pinstripes to the garments.  Outstanding Pieces: Neutrals for baby? Why not, when there's a mix of sweet prints, trend-current minky and cozy cotton knit leggings?  A little older, a little sharper: Metallic, lace over ticking stripes, and a polka dot mini. Groupe Zannier U.S.A. (Natacha Abramoff) Tel: 212-279-7672 www.jamesgirone.com/groupezannierusa
Homebase: Stamford, CT DESIGNER: Sachin Batra Sizes: 4 to 16 years; Wholesale prices: $22-$40 The "go-to" place for rich colors, of-the-moment shapes and lavish trim.  Outstanding Pieces: There are lots of black/charcoal/cream combinations in the market. What keeps this one from looking too serious, is the combination of textures (the skirt is satin) and the mix of details from the mismatched buttons and sequin trim on the hem and cuffs of the T-shirt to the flirty ruffles on the cardigan. Tel: 203-329-0719 E-mail: Info@kanyausa.com
Seen at the March 2011 Children's Club; Originally published March 21, 2011
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