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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: Irvine, CA DESIGNER: Adrienne Catrina Sizes: 6 months to 12 years; Wholesale prices: Contact manufacturer Buyers looking for understated, classic-with-a-touch-of-nostalgia infant to tween wear source this collection. Delicate prints are a new twist to the line.  Outstanding Pieces: For the littlest ones, a dusty toned, delicately flowered Liberty cotton wool flannel dress with soft, cotton/Lycra leggings. Sweet yet modern. Tel: 714-558-7751 E-mail: Info@neigeclothing.com
Homebase: Brookline, MA DESIGNER: Diana Cheren Nygren Sizes: 12 months to 8 years; Wholesale prices: $16-$32.50 After taking a short break from manufacturing, Nygren returns with two strong groups for fall: Autumn Breeze with a palette of gold, olive and orange tones; and Arctic Freeze, a group that, as you've no doubt guessed, favors cooler hues of pale blue, lilac, gray and charcoal.  Outstanding Pieces: The buttoned-down Coco Blouse is plenty playful with men's wear stripes, a generous collar and cuffs and a tuxedo-styled ruffled front. Adding to the fun, Nygren pairs the top with the slim-cut Zoe Trousers in rich indigo plaid flannel. Tel: 617-461-5646 E-mail: Sales@pineapplekiss.com
Homebase: New York, NY DESIGNER: Lisa Kanouse Sizes: 12 months to 10 years; Wholesale prices: $12-$33 Kanouse mixes pops of jewel-toned fuchsias and purples with charcoal and black for a feminine, slightly edgy style. Look for ruffles, interesting lace placements and playful details such as faux buttonholes.  Outstanding Piece: The boiled wool Lara Jacket. Rich color and fun buttonholes give the versatile piece a one-of-a-kind look. Thread Showroom (Terra Fazzio) Tel: 212-801-2387
Homebase: Hong Kong, China DESIGNER: Hilda Yim Sizes: Girls and boys: 12 months to 8T; Girls shoes and boots sizes: 4 to 12; Wholesale prices for apparel: $18-$45; wholesale prices for footwear: $30-$42 From neck to toe Siaomimi is one of the more esoteric collections in the market. Yim's colors are saturated yet dusty, her shapes are generous without losing sight of the body, and even her shoes and boots are quirky.  Outstanding Pieces: The Birdie Sweater and Swing Skirt is something out of a fairytale. Paired with the gold Vintage boots - perfection!  The Ninette dress, in a unique morning glory print edged with a fanciful ball rim at the neckline, looks great with the grey multi leggings, or go classic with tights. Tiny Ginger (Ginger Dhaliwal) Tel: 646-645-9773
Homebase: New York, NY DESIGNER: Sophie Jaworski Sizes: 6 months to 12 years; Wholesale prices: $35-$40 (average) Couture craftsmanship, fearless color mixing and a finger on the pulse of the season's trends, add up to an exciting collection.  Outstanding Pieces: If Sex and the City were to be cast with infant actors, this sophisticated little number would go to Samantha.  I'm not sure this shirt will keep a kid's pants up, but it's sure to amuse him. The trousers are soft corduroy. Tel: 212-359-9531 E-mail: info@sierrajulian.com
Homebase: Philadelphia, PA DESIGNER: Christine Johnston Sizes: 2 to 12 years; Wholesale prices: $10-$42 As always, Johnston offered a carefully edited collection of easy separates in a warm palette. She's added novelty fabrications such as a shiny jacquard and minky.  Outstanding Pieces: Here's a fresh way to offer big sister/little sister dressing: take pretty basics like the cocoa colored knit top and print skirt, then spin them with two of-the-moment pieces: a reversible minky vest and those adorable bloomers (great with heavy tights and boots).  Tel: 215-462-1177 E-mail: Hello@stuncollection.com
Homebase: Palo Alto, CA DESIGNER: Wati Grossman Sizes: 4 to 12 years; Wholesale prices: contact manufacturer Her customers asked for more corduroys, velvets and velour, and, being the cooperative sort, Grossman obliged. Working with her trademark peasant shapes, she employed the lush fabrications as a rich background for the bright Mexican and Guatemalan-inspired embroidery she loves.  Outstanding Pieces: In Grossman's hands, this outfit is so much more than a hoodie and skirt.  From the graceful neckline to the sprays of embroidery and the dynamic color combination, this dress has it all! Tel: 650-224-7478 E-mail: Wati@watidesign.com
Homebase: Denmark DESIGNER: Charlotte Gaisgaard and the Wheat USA design team Sizes: 1 month to 14 years; Wholesale prices: $5-$70 Cool colors - white, light gray, dusty lilac, light blue - a penchant for smock tops and loose pants, natural materials with a few novelty fabrications add up to a multi-piece collection with a strong Scandinavian aesthetic.  Outstanding Pieces: Neutrals for little ones and bigger ones look playful when fabrications such as dyed eyelet, metallic wovens and floral jacquards join the mix.
Tel: 410-626-1508 E-mail: Sales@wheat-usa.com
Homebase: Cabot, VT DESIGNER: Uli Belenky Sizes: Preemie (4 lbs. and up) to 4T; Wholesale prices: Approximately $8-$23 I've got a bad case of the blues this season and it's all Belenky's fault! Just look at that Pagoda blue French Terry smock and the way the lime makes it pop.
Outstanding Pieces: A few of the great prints and shapes for fall and a taste of the way Belenky balances strong color. Tel: 802-563-2961 E-mail: Zutano@zutano.com
Seen at the March 2011 Children's Club; Originally published March 31, 2011
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