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Immediate Spring/Summer and Early Fall 2006 at the ENK Children's Club Show The January show at the Jacob Javits Center (January 8-10) is always a mishmash of spring styles, immediates and early fall collections. It has also become a breaking ground for indie designers who prefer the exhibition's smaller, intimate space and friendlier ambiance, to the larger events where established lines dominate. Below are a few newcomers who exhibited collections with all the finesse of the long-standing manufacturers.
LAYETTE FEATHER BABY DESIGNER: Sude Dellinger Sizes: NB-2T; Wholesale prices: $8.50-$29 The fact that a mother of infant triplets who owns three women's clothing boutiques in New York found the time to design a collection of layette and dresswear, should make the rest of us feel like slugs.
Outstanding Pieces: The dress has all the earmarks of an heirloom: gorgeous Pima cotton, a smocked yoke and deep hem. Take another look and you'll see that the pattern - designed by Dellinger and exclusive to her collection - is printed with subtle Asian motifs that transform the garment from sweet to slightly edgy. The wrap top in soft wisteria reflects the same aesthetic. Dellinger's first collection proves that you don't need a Rock 'n Roll theme to be hip. Tel: 212-721-5721 E-mail: sude_dellinger@hotmail.com
MON REVE BY MADELEINE WOLCOTT DESIGNER: Mon Reve design team Sizes: NB to 24 months: Wholesale prices: $15-$45 This is the third season for this exquisite collection of Pima cotton Jersey layettewear and fine hand knits manufactured in Peru.
Outstanding Pieces: Snuggle a baby into the cotton knit one-piece in a rich shade of teal, top it with funky striped beanie and you've got unisex dressing at its best. Madeleine Wolcott Imports Tel: 215-766-7723 Ext. 104 E-mail: sales@mwimports.com
SPORTSWEAR HER ROYAL HIGHNESS DESIGNERS: Dorothy Park and Hilary Roth Sizes: 2 to 14; Wholesale prices: $12-$52 This fall collection is fit for royalty. Every carefully coordinated garment in Park and Roth's debut collection is colored in the subtlest tones. The materials they use - creamy wool, silk, Pima cotton - add to the luxury.
Outstanding Pieces: There are double-breasted coats out there, but none that feel more like cashmere, or sport such a misty English garden shade of pale teal. Paired with the uniquely colored Fair Isle sweater and buttery pleated skirt, the ensemble whispers - not shouts - great taste. Tel: 212-575-5770 E-mail: dorothyp@jnrimex.com
HONEY DESIGNER: Tanya Minhas Sizes: infant up to 12 years; Wholesale prices: $18-$150 This diminutive collection of infant dresses, T-shirts, pants, knits and coats has a one-of-a-kind, art-to-wear appeal. Unique vintage materials, playful trims and an eye for mixing patterns, make Minhas's first collection perfect for exclusive boutique buyers.
Outstanding Piece: The fanciful mix of vintage patterns can be reversed for a colorblock effect: olive torso; cream sleeves and collar. Charming. Tel: 212-420-0640 E-mail: tm@honeycollectionnewyork.com www.honeycollectionnewyork.com
IISLI DESIGNER: Iisli design team Sizes: 6 months-24 months; Wholesale prices: $30-$118 Bob Marley meets Mick Jagger in this collection of lightweight cotton knit separates and "suits" printed in a cool African inspired stripe. Love it mon.
Outstanding Pieces: The jacket is boxy; the cable knit shorts have a retro feeling and the pattern rocks. What more do you want? (The look is available in washed down teal for baby boys.) Tel: 212-763-2033 E-mail: annes@iisli.com
PROHIBITION DESIGNER: Adriana Astano Sizes: 7-14; Wholesale prices: $7-$46 Taking her cue from the Roaring Twenties, Astano's new tween collection mixes playful suspender-supported skirts and wide-legged pants with silky feminine tops.
Outstanding Pieces: There's a naughty schoolgirl feeling to the elbow-patched tweed jacket and the pouffy matching mini skirt. Tel: 212-209-3808 E-mail: montedorodesigns@yahoo.com
BOYS' SPORTSWEAR JACKSON CLAY, USA DESIGNERS: Paige Apar and Paula Speert Sizes: 12 months to 8 years; Wholesale prices: $15-$28 Apar and Speert's first collection of sportswear is earthy, weathered and all boy. French Terry and combed velour, lots of detailed seams and pockets, and touches such as turned up hems in contrasting colors, make this boys' line a winner.
Outstanding Pieces: The washed down jacket with camel-toned trim and the coordinating pants. The set is stylish but not so contrived that a boy would object. Tel: 818-735-0104 E-mail: pcspeert@aol.com; paigeapar@sbcglobal.net
T-SHIRTS ASHOR'S ROOM DESIGNER: Nichole Rairigh Sizes: 6 months-12 years; Wholesale price: $17 This is the second show for Chicago-based Ashor's Room. Rairigh's collection of organic cotton T-shirts are dipped in small batches so there's an intentional unevenness to the way the rich colors set. The tees can be worn with the seams finished, or turned inside out for a raw, exposed edge.
Outstanding Pieces: All the earthy colors are perfect for fall. Tel: 773-486-2253 E-mail: ashorsroom@sbcglobal.net
BOBO BROOKLYN DESIGNER: Jennifer Bounds Sizes: 3 months-12 years; Wholesale prices: $13-$18 You could say Bounds' Bobo Brooklyn T-shirts are the apparel equivalent of comfort food: each top is appliquéd with the Super Heroes of yore - Batman, ET, Mr. T, Aquaman - and a host of other favorites.
Outstanding Pieces: "I pity the fool" who passes on this collection - all the tees are great. Tel: 917-573-9749 E-mail: Jennifer@bobobrooklyn.com
OUTERWEAR BDH DESIGNERS: The BDH design team Sizes: 2 to 16; Wholesale prices: $109-$129 The Belguim-based BDH brings glamorous, beautifully constructed outerwear to the New York market.
Outstanding Piece: Didn't Tippi Hedren or another of Hitchcock's alluring blondes, Janet Leigh, belt this coat tight, pull over the hood and run blindly into the night? Tel: 212-967-6563 E-mail: chacheuro@aol.com
TOYS MONCALIN DESIGNER: The Moncalin design team Wholesale price: $27.50
The buttery soft, rose and chocolate colored pigs and bears are "a dozen ounces of delight." Their filling is hypoallergenic, there are no buttons or plastic parts for a child to swallow, and each toy comes in a white box with an attractive yellow and white stripe label. In other words: a perfect gift. Tel: 213-670-0196 E-mail: info@moncalin.com
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