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New York International Gift Fair: A Modern Edge How big was the Gift Fair held January 29-February 3, 2005 at the Jacob Javits Center and the New York Piers? Imagine the Mall of America filled with any kind of gift item you can imagine and you'll have the idea. The latest trends in kids' apparel and furnishings move away from sweet vintage looks to clean-lined, modern design. Even note cards reflect an understated aesthetic.
APPAREL APPAMAN Designer: Harald Hussum Sizes: 12 months-6; Wholesale prices: Jacket $23 To his irreverent collection of T-shirts, Hussum adds a windbreaker that's a tribute to all things cool. Outstanding Piece: The "Le Mans" jacket is inspired by Steve McQueen. It's lined in a furry fleece, and the placket on the chest says, "Flynn GT." McQueen would approve. 38 Wyckoff St., Suite 1L Brooklyn, NY 11201 Tel: 718-208-5221 E-mail: info@appaman.com
ELEGANT BABY DESIGNER: Elegant Baby design team Sizes: Infant; Wholesale prices: $10-$15 Elegant Baby offers buyers classic kids' gifts, beautifully packaged and at great prices. Outstanding Pieces: Baffled by too many choices? You'll never go wrong giving a soft, cable knit hat and sweater set with a matching blanket. Baby Needs, Inc. 605 Cameron St. P.O. Box 2197 Burlington, NC 27216 Tel: 800-334-5321, Ext. 23 E-mail: info@elegantbaby.com
KC COLLECTION DESIGNER: Kerry Cassill Sizes: 12 months-5 years; Wholesale prices: $12-$20 Cassill's collection of hand-blocked cotton pillows, bedding, adult and kids' clothing has an elegant hippy vibe. Outstanding Pieces: The cotton voile halter-top and diaper covers are as cool to the touch as they are stylish. A great alternative for the mother who can't abide pastels. 1143 South Coast Highway Laguna Beach, CA 92651 Tel: 949-715-9940 866-KC4-LALA (524-1866) E-mail: kc@kerrycassill.com
LITTLE GIRAFFE DESIGNER: Marcia Brower and Sharon Newberg Sizes: Infant; Wholesale prices: Contact manufacturer It's all about the luxurious textiles in this upscale infant collection. Outstanding Piece: The fabric is called chenille, but it's unlike any chenille I've encountered. The hand is heavy and sensually soft; the lining is satin. But beware, once the baby is dressed in this set, they won't settle for anything else. 6940 Valjean Avenue Van Nuys, CA 91406 Tel: 800-858-6880 / 818-782-8803 E-mail: info@littlegiraffe.com
LUCKY FISH DESIGNER: Jann Cheifitz Size: 3 months-12 years; Wholesale prices: $13-$19 If you want your kids' clothing to channel Jimmy Hendrix rather than Winnie the Pooh, Lucky Fish is your line. Outstanding Pieces: Cheifitz uses the same hip, brightly-colored animal graphics on her kids' and adult T-shirts, so mother-daughter looks take on a whole new dimension. 475 Keap Street, #4E Brooklyn, NY 11211 Tel: 917-853-2849 E-mail: fishluck@aol.com
PAULINA QUINTANA DESIGNER: Paula Quintana Sizes: Infant-toddler; Wholesale prices: Clothing: $6-$24, Diaper bags: $100-$115. Paula Quintana is known for T-shirts and modern printed sportswear in bright, unusual colors. Now she offers gift packs. Outstanding Pieces: The double-buttoned, wrapped T-shirt. The sleeves and hem are lettuce-edged in contrasting hues. Very cool - and warm, too. Comes singly or in gift boxes of three. 1519 Griffith Park Blvd. Los Angeles, CA 90026 Tel: 323-662-4017 E-mail: info@paulinaquintana.com
WRY BABY DESIGNER: David Sopp Sizes: NB-5T; Wholesale prices: $11-$19.50 Still haven't found the perfect gift for little Hazel and Phinnaeus? Julia and Danny will flip for Wry Baby's twin T-shirts. Outstanding Pieces: The logos on the white onesies say, "Stop Copying Me!" but don't expect anyone to listen. 1425 11th Avenue San Francisco, CA 94122 Tel: 415-566-0910 E-mail: information@wrybaby.com
BAGS AND BACKPACKS SKIP*HOP DESIGNERS: Ellen and Michael Diamant Prices: $25-$38 Parents with infants share one habit - they hang their diaper bag by its strap on their strollers' handles where it flops uncomfortably. The Skip*Hop bag offers a cure for bruised kneecaps. Outstanding Piece: The Skip*Hop bag has short straps that buckle easily to a stroller's handles, then convert into a shoulder strap. Of course the bag has the changing pad and pockets you'd expect. Now why didn't you think of that? 134 West 29th Street, Suite 904 NYC, NY 10001 Tel: 212-243-2710 E-mail: info@skiphop.com
TYRRELL KATZ DESIGNER: Tyrrell Katz Wholesale prices: $5.95-$29.95 Tyrrell Katz is known for her witty illustrations of fairies, animals, ballerinas and anything else that moves. She's turned her designs into T-shirts, carrying cases and bags, dishes and apparel. Outstanding Pieces: Even if your kid's a klutz, she'll love Tyrrell Katz's bag collection illustrated with twirling ballerinas. 2 Kimberley Road London NW6 7SG UK Tel: +44(0)20 7372 6696 E-mail: info@tyrrellkatz.co.uk
FURNITURE ARGINGTON DESIGNER: Jenny Argie Wholesale prices: $150-$370, add approx. $20 for cushions Modernists pay attention. You no longer have to settle for bright plastic kids' furniture or Mary Englebreit-style vintage ware. Newcomer Jenny Argie's "Seven Wonders" collection of fine, simply shaped and ingeniously designed modern children's furniture offers an alternative.
Outstanding Pieces: The "Babylon" highchair features a seat and footrest that can be raised or lowered to eight positions for the 16-month to 16-year set. The Asian-inspired "Fuji Toy Box" is so beautifully designed, you'll want to move it into the living room and forget the kids altogether. 240 Broadway, #404 Brooklyn, NY 11211 Tel: 718-218-8508 E-mail: info@argington.com
NURSERY WORKS DESIGNERS: Glenn Lawson and Grant Fenning of (lawson-fenning) Wholesale prices: $338-$555 Another collection making its debut at the Gift Fair is Nursery Works, a line of modern children's furniture that's selling to kids' boutiques as well as better adult home décor stores.
Outstanding Pieces: The streamlined rocker is covered in suede and is wide enough for a couple to snuggle on once the baby's asleep. Remove the pad and tray from the changing table and it converts into a functional dresser for the nursery - or a parent's bedroom. 8033 Sunset Blvd., 4250 Los Angeles, CA 90046 Tel: 888-508-9540 E-mail: info@nurseryworks.net
BEDDING AND ROOM DÉCOR CHARN & CO. DESIGNER: Charn design team Wholesale prices: $30-$425 Charn & Co. offers decorators wooden lamps and chandeliers with a variety of Martha Stewart-esque printed shades. Outstanding Piece: Red, white and blue can be too predictable for a boy's room, but the curvy lines of this lamp and the patchwork print shade give it quirky appeal. Charn Home, Inc. 7211 Garden Grove Blvd., Suite A Garden Grove, CA 92841 Tel: 714-890-3235 E-mail: charnandcompany@sbcglobal.net
CRISPINA (dba Fuchsia, Inc.) DESIGNER: Crispina ffrench Wholesale prices: $12-$1249 for a rug Not only is Crispina an original textile designer, she's a first-rate colorist too. Whether her palate is rich jewel tones or subtle neutrals, each of her quilts, blankets and rugs are a visual treat. To "inspire innovative reuse in our world" all Crispina products are constructed from recycled clothing. Outstanding Piece: Her "Labyrinth" quilts. Jasper Johns goes Amish and the result is art to sleep under. P.O. Box 610 174 Front Street Housatonic, MA 01236 Tel: 800-824-1143 E-mail: jayme@crispina.com
OOPSY DAISY - FINE ART FOR KIDS DESIGNERS: The Oopsy Daisy collective Wholesale prices: $29.50-$150. Oopsy Daisy offers prints by a variety of artists working in different mediums. Each piece is playful, well rendered and reflects a joyful spirit. Outstanding Piece: The size chart is a great solution to pencil marks on the kitchen door, and can be personalized with a child's name. Talk about a practical gift. 3142 Herman Avenue San Diego, CA 92104 Tel: 619-640-6649 E-mail: info@oopsydaisy.com
SHORT STORIES DESIGNER: Laura Zeck Wholesale prices: $60-$400 Printmaker Laura Zeck designs simple monochromatic etchings of animals, letters, insects and any other whimsical image a child would love. You collaborate with her by choosing the motifs. She'll frame the work as a single, double or multiple image. Outstanding Piece: With your taste and her artistry your print will be charming. 2753 South Washington Seattle, WA 98144 Tel: 206-467-1027 E-mail: info@laurazeck.com
SUSAN STEINBROCK DESIGNS DESIGNER: Susan Steinbrock Wholesale prices: $85-$300 Susan Steinbrock's hand-painted, hand-pieced quilts and pillows are sophisticated enough to go from the nursery to a post-college apartment. Outstanding Pieces: On one side, Steinbrock stacks bright, retro-printed florals and geometrics, on the other she hand-paints cool circles and stripes. Is it ever too soon to instill good taste? 189 8th Avenue, #4L Brooklyn, NY 11215 Tel: 718-788-2602 E-mail: susan@susansteinbrockdesign.com
TABULA TUA RUGS THE TAPAGE COLLECTION DESIGNERS: Claudio Colucci and Fabrice Berrux Sizes: 24" round, 24" X 40" oval arrow; Wholesale prices: $40 round, $65 oval What's better than a couple of loving pets? Tabula Tua wool rugs woven with animal faces, allows you to forgo the morning walk and trips to the vet. Outstanding Pieces: Any of the richly colored animal rugs. 1015 West Armitage Ave. Chicago, IL 60614 Tel: 773-525-0816 / 888-535-6590 E-mail: wholesale@tabulatua.com
CARDS LORALIN DESIGN Designer: Loralin Wholesale prices: $5.00 for 10 cards and envelopes Simplicity reigns in Loralin Design's note cards and journals Outstanding Pieces: Whether you're announcing a birth or acknowledging a shower gift, you'll do it graciously with "Lil' Ones" understated cards. 11104 Hurdle Hill Drive Potomac, MD 20854 Tel: 917-664-0148 E-mail: lynne@loralindesign.com
UNCLASSIFIABLE GOLDBUG STUDIO DESIGNER: Ashley Carter Wholesale prices: $12-$1250 If Santa were a woman who loved glitter and all things vintage, her workshop would turn out fanciful, sparkling, one-of-a-kind items like Ashley Carter's. Outstanding Pieces: Fairy baby boxes, party hats and table ornaments festooned with plastic fruit, vintage wallpaper and Christmas tinsel. Welcome to the Madhatter's Tea Party. 1913 McCarthy Street Raleigh, NC 27608 Tel: 919-834-1523 E-mail: ashley@goldbugstudio.com
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