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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!
SMILING PLANET
Homebase: Los Angeles, CA DESIGNERS: Freddy Deane and Olivia Haviland Sizes: 3 to 24 months (up to 8T); Wholesale prices: $16-$50 Husband and wife team ceramicist Olivia Haviland and author/illustrator Freddy Deane join forces at Smiling Planet, an earth-friendly, organic lifestyle collection of serving pieces and apparel.  Outstanding Pieces: Deane's elephants prance on a cozy wrap top and denim knit pants. Order the matching plates for the fully-coordinated baby. Tel: 310-302-0080 E-mail: Sales@smilingplanet.net Karen Alweil Studio 213.746.5363
Homebase: New York, NY DESIGNER: Kathryn Beach Sizes: NB to 12 months; Wholesale prices: contact manufacturer Kathryn Beach takes luxury seriously. She colors her cashmere separates for infants in traditional tones and keeps the styles clean and lightly embellished. Always tasteful, the pieces are right at home in elite boutiques.  Outstanding Pieces: Soothing colors, head-to-toe cashmere makes for one pampered baby. Tel: 212-205-5184 E-mail: Kathryn@babybespoke.com
Homebase: Los Angeles, CA DESIGNER: Sophie Maarek Sizes: Girls and boys NB to 24 months; Wholesale prices: contact manufacturer  Outstanding Pieces: The adorable cat and bow motifs, the classic pink and gray combination - it doesn't get cuter than this.  Little school boys and their baby brothers make a charming duo in this argyle and tweed outfit and the cuddly folkloric knit one-piece. Tel: 213-489-3050 E-mail: Sophiem@beesanddragons.com
Homebase: Lexington, KT DESIGNER: Lisa McLean Sizes: 3 months to 4 years (some styles up to 6 years); Wholesale prices: $16-$55 Bella Bliss's impeccable manufacturing, an always-in-fashion palette and classic silhouettes, takes the "will they like this?" angst out of gift giving.  Outstanding Pieces: Buttery red cord pieces are strong solo or paired in charming "twin" sets. Their traditional styling lends itself to a flowered blouse, or, for the hot fall nautical look, pair the garments with stripes. Tel: 866-846-5295 E-mail: Emily@bellabliss.com
Homebase: Montreal, Canada DESIGNER: Marian S. Vachon Sizes: NB to 24 months, 2T to 16 years; Wholesale prices for the Wash and Wear group: $5-$21  Outstanding Pieces: A hot color combination with the season's "everything stripes" mood: Oh, baby, are you styling!  The Wash and Wear print on this ultra soft velour gown is for the parent with a sense of humor. Tel: 514-382-6501 E-mail: Fvachon@coccoli.com
Homebase: Baldwinsville, NY DESIGNER: Sude Dellinger Sizes: 6 to 24 months; organic collection; Wholesale prices: Contact manufacturer You're probably as tired as I am of me using the word "fresh" to describe the Feather Baby collection. My thesaurus suggests "juicy" and "moist" as alternatives, but I don't think those adjectives capture the look. Instead, here's a description: a flower garden of blue-tinged pinks and pinky lilacs, feminine silhouettes with nostalgic touches such as peasant necklines and smocking, and clean shapes for boys.
Outstanding Piece: This is what "everything works" looks like. Tel: 646-485-7314 E-mail: Joe@featherbaby.com
Homebase: El Segundo, CA DESIGNER: Irina Wong Sizes: NB to 6 years; Wholesale prices: $8-$128; organic collection I knew if Wong were ever to give special occasion wear a whirl, the outcome would be extraordinary. Of course, I was right.  Outstanding Pieces: Tone-on-tone taupe trumps the usually jewel-toned special occasion piece, and, instead of ruffles there's scallops.  Over the dress, the pale-pink cape coat. You should feel it! Tel: 310-322-2828 E-mail: Info@lotussprings.com
Homebase: Hermosa Beach, CA DESIGNER: Leslie Pitts Sizes: Girls and boys: NB to 18 months; Wholesale prices: $6.50-$38 Pitts employs lush Pima cotton and Modal to craft delicately colored layette wear with clean, animal graphics and easy to mix, small scale patterns.  Outstanding Pieces: Dusty blue tones, a cute animal motif and those rugged cargo pants are just a few of the pieces in the charming Manic Monkeys group. Tel: 310-929-0285 E-mail: Sales@luckyjadeproducts.com
Seen at the March 2011Children's Club; Originally published March 31, 2011
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