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The Fall 2005 Children's Club Show: The Newcomers What a debut! Walking the show we discovered so many great new collections. We were wowed by innovative knitwear lines, rocked by cool sportswear collections and charmed by delicate dresses. To honor the talented new designers who presented such carefully conceived lines at the Fall 2005 ENK Children's Club Show held at the Javits Convention Center, we're continuing our "Best in Show" acknowledgment for the newcomer whose collection shows the most promise. How do we make our selection? We look for a designer who is confident in her own aesthetic, not someone who adheres to current trends. Whether a manufacturer presented just one or several small groups, each piece needs to be well designed and work effortlessly together; a little of this and that won't cut it. Color is an important consideration, too. A designer should use tones that enhance the garments' silhouettes, while keeping an eye on the marketplace. And, of course, the workmanship has to be impeccable. Competition was stiff, but only one collection can win. So our second "Best in Show for a Newcomer" award for Fall 2005 goes to Adrienne Catrina's Neige collection of refined dresses. Congratulations, Adrienne. Your clean-lined dress designs stood out at the New York show like Cinderella at the ball.
BEST IN SHOW - NEWCOMER NEIGE DESIGNER: Adrienne Catrina Sizes: 4-14; Wholesale prices: $22-$66 Adrienne Catrina's first collection of dresses works like the best poetry. Each design employs the most significant design details of the 1920s and early 1930s - a drop waist, a bias cut skirt - and incorporates them into streamlined creations. That's the work of a true modernist. Catrina exhibited just four small groups. She selects rich, evocative fabrics like rayon satin, silk and rayon blend velvet, Merino wool and the delicate veil-like textile bobbinet, and instead of prints or bright colors, she allows the fabrics' natural drape to take center stage. To keep a buyer's eye on the dress' line, and on the child wearing the garment, Catrina adheres to a palate of deep neutrals and dark jewel tones.
Outstanding Pieces: Above, the "Olivia" dress. The bobbinet falls gracefully over a cream colored silk slip. The empire lace trim is the only detail and that's enough. All a girl needs to do is tuck a gardenia behind her ear and she's ready for the dance floor. Below, wool dresses can look a bit stuffy, but not Catrina's. Touches like ruffles, flirty cap sleeves and drop waists have the same charm as the rest of her collection. Thanks to their light weight, they're wearable fall through spring.
9 Cabazon Irvine, CA 92602 Tel: 888-221-6366 E-mail: info@neigeclothing.com
LAYETTE YITE BUB DESIGNER: Erin Moran Sizes: NB-4; Wholesale prices: $4.50-$12 Can you ever have enough soft cotton layette wear with adorable prints?
Outstanding Piece: The one-piece in an attractive blue, jade and brown print. The striped sleeves and fun animal motifs make it a winner for baby boys. 20 Serena Lane Danville, CA 94526 Tel: 925-383-2218 E-mail: erin@momdesigns.com
SPORTSWEAR AGATHA RUIZ DE LA PRADA INFANTS DESIGNER: Agatha Ruiz De La Prada Sizes: NB-3 years; Wholesale prices: $45-$55 Agatha Ruiz De La Prada's Technicolors and cubist patterned toddler wear will do for your mood what a cup of well-made espresso does for your morning.
Outstanding Pieces: The hot pink cotton blouse with bright yellow stars at the wrists, and the red wool jumper with stripes of brilliant velvet ribbons, stood out in the show's sea of tasteful beiges and dusty sea greens like a charming extrovert at a tea party. C&C Childrenswear 12 West 32nd Street NYC, NY 10001 Tel: 212-564-3031 E-mail: sales@cc-childrenwear.com
BELL AMIE TOUJOURS DESIGNERS: Linda Trau and Sandra Aronson Sizes: 2-14; Wholesale prices: $14-$66 The Bell Amie Toujours collection puts its stamp on feminine sweater and skirt combinations.
Outstanding Pieces: This teal sweater and gorgeous sky blue skirt, heavily embroidered with teal flowers, is an example of the designers' folkloric yet sophisticated take on sportswear. 40 East 80th St., Suite 21A NYC, NY 10021 Tel: 917-670-7319 E-mail: sandraaronson@aol.com
BILLTORNADE DESIGNER: Bill Tornade design team Sizes: 3 months-16; Wholesale prices: $40-$190 This is the sort of elegant collection with just enough glitz to appeal to rock stars and film celebrities. You're bound to see pieces of the collection on Phoebe Cates' and Kevin Klein's kids. Ms. Cates was in the booth placing an order.
Outstanding Pieces: The pale pink silk chiffon top goes from ingénue to young starlet with a sprinkling of a bugle beads around the neckline. The cocoa circle skirt keeps the look casual. Groupe Zannier U.S.A. 131 West 33rd Street, Suite 1006 NYC, NY 10001 Tel: 212-279-7672
CARAMEL DESIGNER: Amy Walton Sizes: 3 months-10 years; Wholesale prices: contact manufacturer Walton's strength is her mix of textures, sophisticated color sense and great knits.
Outstanding Pieces: The dark navy blouse over the silver tulle skirt (available in gold) blends serious styling with a playful note. The teal and cocoa coat with velvet touches is pure elegance. 49 Tregunter Road London SW10 9LG Tel: 44 (0)20 7370 1002 E-mail: info.caramel@spitfireuk.net
EXTRASMALL DESIGNER: Iris in't Hout Sizes: NB-24 months; Wholesale prices: $8.50-$50 This casual line of cotton sweaters, pants and T-shirts is meant for a day of fun. in't Hout even offers adorable knit animals for kids to play with.
Outstanding Pieces: The cotton sweater in wide bands of olive, cocoa and sky and the deep olive corduroy pants are perfect for a game of tag. P.O. Box 6074 San Rafael, CA 94903 Tel: 1-877-XTR-SMLL (987-7655) E-mail: christine@extrasmall.com
INNIES N' OUTIES DESIGNER: Robin Doyle Sizes: 3 months-4; Wholesale prices: $12-$29 Most of the pieces in this cute, casual collection are reversible so one outfit gets a lot of mileage.
Outstanding Pieces: "Bubbelah" is the right name for this easy jumper that switches from a modern geometric print to washable suede. T-shirts are dyed to match. 4570 Van Nuys Blvd., Suite 188 Sherman Oaks, CA 91403 Tel: 866-866-2880 E-mail: abbe@inniesnouties.com
OLD WORLD LINENS DESIGNER: Portuguese design team Sizes: NB-8 years; Wholesale prices: $48-$110 With so many collections maxed out on layers, appliqués and glitz, the impeccably made, classic, tailored girls' wear by Old World Linens looked especially fresh.
Outstanding Piece: The soft gray wool dress with the red smocking and trim is appealingly prim and childlike. Can't a little girl look like a little girl once in awhile? 196 Haviland Court Stamford, CT 06903 Tel: 203-461-8260 E-mail: decarvalhosa@aol.com
PUREPENSEE DESIGNER: Jacques Lichtenstein Sizes: 6 months-12 years; Wholesale prices: $14-$83 This new collection has every trend working - the mix of small prints, the off beat colors and the all important overcoat in buttery novelty yarns - but Lichtenstein's attention to detail makes the collection look like a trend originator, not a follower.
Outstanding Pieces: The woven coat in soft cocoa, teal, cream and rose over the lightly quilted dress. The dress' mix of patterns, and that shot of blue running through the bodice, transforms the piece from garment to art. Avenue de la Toison d'Or, 19 1050 Brussels Belgium Tel: 0032 2 353 29 74 E-mail: jacques@purepensee.com
TATTOOI DESIGNER: Erica Janke Sizes: 18 months-7; Wholesale prices: $21-$44.50 Last season, Erica Janke introduced T-shirts with tattoo inspired motifs. For fall she combines the Tee's with pretty sportswear pieces.
Outstanding Piece: Janke's dramatic black circle skirt embroidered with hot pink ribbons is a must have for every girl's wardrobe. 9206 Sommerland Way Austin, TX 78749 Tel: 512-301-1775 E-mail: erica@tattooi.com
WATI DESIGN DESIGNER: Wati Grossman Sizes: 4-8; Wholesale prices: $30-$60 Wati Grossman has designed for The Gap, Banana Republic and Levi's. But working for mass-marketers hasn't influenced this esoteric collection of exquisite Asian-inspired sportswear.
Outstanding Pieces: The watermelon colored silk velvet tunic scattered with pale gold embroidery, over a wide legged, cotton sateen pant embellished with stylized floral motifs. I wanted to linger over each unique piece, admiring every detail. 1825 Guinda Street Palo Alto, CA 94303 Tel: 650-224-7478 E-mail: watigrossman@yahoo.com
WHITNEY KIDS DESIGNER: Whitney Ross Sizes: NB-8; Wholesale prices: $22-$55 Whitney Kids' slogan is "Clothes you wish they'd never outgrow." I wish the clothing would grow so I could fit into them.
Outstanding Pieces: The coat, sweater and skirt ensemble. The pretty pink and cream boucle is sweetened further with a soft fur collar. The cream sweater is knit from 50 percent cotton, 50 percent modal blend with a cashmere like hand; and the pink taffeta pleated skirt is pure charm. Audrey Hepburn would approve. 29 Castle Knock Road Toronto, ON M5N 2J3 Tel: 416-486-1503 E-mail: whitney@whitneykids.ca
KNITWEAR CLEMENTINE PETITE DESIGNERS: Delphine Lafont and Heather Whitney Ashforth Sizes: NB-8; Wholesale prices: $11-$126 The cashmere collection is available in two weights: the lightest gauge is perfect alone or layered over T-shirts; the heavier knit is warm enough to bundle baby in when the weather plummets.
Outstanding Pieces: The side-button sweater in the heavier weight is the ideal "go-with-everything" piece. Ditto for the striped onesie. 1112 Montana Ave #147 Santa Monica, CA 90403 Tel: 310-210-4860 E-mail: delphine@clementinepetit.com
KICO KIDS DESIGNER: Tia Ciabani Sizes: 2-12; wholesale prices: $16-$145 Simple shapes with just enough detail knit in fine cotton, wool that's been "cash washed" to feel like cashmere and real cashmere. This season's colors - soft dusty pumpkin, beiges, cocoas and deep green - make merchandising the line a no-brainer.
Outstanding Pieces: You decide. 177 East 77th Street, Ste. 9A NYC, NY 10021 Tel: 212-535-5418 E-mail: sambogen@kicokids.com
FOURNIER DESIGNER: Anabel Fournier Sizes: NB-8 years; Wholesale prices: $11-$54 Fournier's fine alpaca hand-knits are simply shaped with just a few details for impact.
Outstanding Pieces: The black knit tunic over the knee-length off-white skirt. The empire waist tie is an unexpected touch and the flower adds whimsy. Roland 762 Arthur Godfrey Road Miami Beach, FL 33140 Tel: 305-531-5534 E-mail: rolandl@bellsouth.net
SUGAR PI DESIGNERS: Catherine Andreozzi, Brenda Swift Sizes: 2T-12 years; $23-$150 Some say there are too many knitwear lines out there. But when a sweater designer comes along with an original look, people take notice.
Outstanding Piece: Everything about this tunic works - the side button closing looks chic and keeps a kid warm; the colors are rich; and there's just enough detail in the hand-embroidered swirls and silk ribbon to keep an admirer riveted. 261 Potowomut Road East Greenwich, RI 02818 Tel: 401-884-0702 E-mail: info@sugarpi.com
T-SHIRTS BABY ANARCHY DESIGNERS: Melinda Webber Kerstein and Janet Perles Sizes: 3 months-6; Wholesale prices: $11.75-$13 Baby Anarchy's T's and onesies have a fruit or rock 'n roll motif on the front and on the tush. They're packaged in a 45-record cover (remember records?) so they make a great shower gift for a hip mom.
Outstanding Piece: All the graphics are cool. Rock on! 16 Spruce Street Beacon, NY 12508 Tel: Melinda, 347-693-5114; Janet, 917-495-8688 E-mail: janet@babyanarchy.com
I CAN FLY DESIGNER: Doris Oswald-Burrell Sizes: 3 months-6 years; Wholesale prices: $8-$12.50 All the wonderful animals printed on Oswald-Burrell's T-shirt collection quiver with happy, nervous energy.
Outstanding Pieces: The double-sleeve T-shirt sports a great monkey riding a bike. The pants are wide and comfy and the colors are just funky enough. P.O. Box 39683 Los Angeles, CA 90039 Tel: 323-913-2339 E-mail: doris@allkidscanfly.com
DIRTY LAUNDRY DESIGNER: Teresa Findlay Sizes: 6 months-6 years; Wholesale prices: $26-$39 There's lots of woofs, squeaks and meowing happening on Findley's T-shirts, not to mention delighted giggles from the lucky kids who wear them.
Outstanding Piece: An original take on the animal T-shirt. The visible seams should keep kids in stitches. 55 Water Street, Ste. 611 Vancouver, British Columbia V6B 1A1 Canada Tel: 604-648-2014 E-mail: Erika@dirtylaundrytees.com
M.C. SQUIRT DESIGNER: Heather Olson Sizes: 3 months-6; Wholesale prices: $8-$18 All the graphics are designed to please groovy baby boys.
Outstanding Piece: The collection's mascot, a woebegone baby elephant, is charming. P.O. Box 28784 Austin, TX 78731 Tel: 512-560-4696 E-mail: heather@mcsquirt.com
PEACE MONKEY DESIGNER: Deneen O'Neill Sizes: 3 months-6 years; Wholesale prices: $10-$12 You've had enough of tie-dyed and sequined T-shirts. Time for something new.
Outstanding Pieces: Western themes are hot this season, so you gotta' round up O'Neill's Tee's that read "Yee Haw," "Lil' Cowgirl" and "Varmint." Got that partner? 860 South Los Angeles Street, Ste. 933 Los Angeles, CA 90014 Tel: 213-614-9493 E-mail: deneen@peace-monkey.com
17 CHICKENS DESIGNER: Christy Thom Sizes: 3 months-6; Wholesale prices: contact manufacturer Christy Thom prints T-shirts with the paintings of a number of edgy artists. The images - kewpie dolls wearing grass skirts, dogs in flag-striped hats, knickknack style crystal animals and jack-in-the-boxes - are more David Lynch than Disney.
Outstanding Pieces: The Tees printed with the odd Asian plastic doll. A kid will either love it or run screaming back to their playpen. 11718 Barrington Court, Ste. 124 Los Angeles, CA 90049 Tel: 310-471-6556 E-mail: info@17chickens.com
DIAPER BAGS CADEN LANE BABY DESIGNER: Katy Mimari Wholesale prices: $60-$68 Mothers want diaper bags that don't look like diaper bags. That's why Caden Lane's elegant designs are so appealing.
Outstanding pieces: One style is shaped like a bowling bag and comes in chocolate edged in pink for girls, and black edged in pale blue for boys. The other shape is a traditional diaper bag in the same color options, updated with silk ribbons. Their shiny sateen surfaces, simple piping and great details - like two see-through inner pockets and a removable insulated bottle pouch - make the bags must-haves for new moms. 222 Aster Trail San Antonio, TX 78256 Tel: 210-687-1919 E-mail: info@cadenlaneco.com
STROLLER BLANKETS AND CARRIER COVERS BROOKS POND DESIGNER: Susan Forbes Wholesale prices: $22.50-$72.50 Here's a great gift item - a "Buggy Blanket" that snaps easily into place over a stroller and jogger. The item is fleece-lined for cozy warmth and has a special boot pouch that keeps muddy shoes from soiling the blanket. Forbes also offers a chic faux mink "Carrier Cover" that snaps over a Snugli.
Outstanding Item: The "Buggy Blankets" come in a variety of wind and water repellent prints and solids. The cover is warm enough so a mom can forgo the snowsuit. Life with baby just got easier. 88 Beals Street Brookline, MA 02446 Tel: 617-879-2733 E-mail: mmorgan@brookspond.com
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