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Staying Fresh: Established Collections at the January ENK Children's Club Show Tiered skirts, lots of lace, gorgeous embroidery: sounds like spring 2005, right? Right. Hope you love the look, because there's more of the it coming your way next season. At the immediate and fall 2006 ENK Children's Club show held January 8-10, girls' T-shirts were embroidered; boys' tees sported appliqués and stitching; skirts were shown in tiers or simple ballerina-like dirndls; glamour is the word for belted faux fur or suede coats. The manufacturers below exhibited spring collections that still look current, or early fall lines that promise an exciting season.
LAYETTE CLAESEN'S USA DESIGNER: Debora Blaauw Sizes: NB-14; Wholesale prices: $5-$50 The folks at Claesen's believe that what kids wear under their clothing should be just as stylish as the clothing itself.
Outstanding Piece: This paisley one-piece can be worn as a playful sleeper, or layered with a skirt or jumper for quick, off to preschool dressing. Tel: 207-319-7599 E-mail: godutch@claesensusa.com
MARGERY ELLEN BABY DESIGNER: Margery Ellen Sizes: NB-24 months; Wholesale prices: $6-$44 Even if mom dresses her baby in black T-shirts and leopard print pants, she'll flip for Margery Ellen's layettewear. Why? It's sweet without being saccharine; classic with flair.
Outstanding Pieces: The chenille sweater and leggings with the ruffles along the tush - irresistible! Tel: 516-621-8522 E-mail: margeryell@aol.com www.jamesgirone.com/margeryellenbaby
ZUTANO DESIGNER: Uli Belenky Sizes: Preemie to Newborn, up to 7 pounds; Wholesale prices: Contact manufacturer Preemies may be the size of dolls, but they shouldn't have to wear dolls' clothes. Zutano's Itzy Bitzy collection solves the problem of how to outfit the less-than-seven-pound set.
Outstanding Pieces: Same adorable prints; same comfortable bodies as the rest of Zutano's collections - just smaller. Tel: 800-287-5139 E-mail: zutano@zutano.com
SPORTSWEAR BABY CZ DESIGNER: Carolina Zapf Sizes: 3 months-8 years; Wholesale prices: Contact manufacturer Zapf's collection is all about sumptuous fabrics and understated design.
Outstanding Pieces: Zapf keeps the detail on the washed silk top to a minimum so all the attention is focused on the luscious floral embroidery - and the baby wearing the garment, of course. Tel: 212-580-5190 E-mail: cz@babycz.com
BELLA BLISS DESIGNERS: Lisa McLean and Kelley Farush Sizes: 3 months-10 years; Wholesale prices: $8-$56 The Bella Bliss collection answers the need for beautifully manufactured, classic dressing.
Outstanding Piece: A crocheted lace collar, cuffs and half-belt in back imbue this sweater coat with a Thirties' aesthetic. Tel: 859-846-5295 Email: info@bellabliss.com
CHIARA DESIGNER: Pam Smith Sizes: NB-14; Wholesale prices: $16-$35 Forget ruffles and extraneous detail. Smith's collections are always understated, and her spring 2006 line is no exception.
Outstanding Piece: Simple touches like princess seams ensure the coat has a flattering fit, while modern silver buckles lend grown up sophistication. Tel: 845-638-3263 E-mail: Chiarakids@cs.com
FOURNIER DESIGNER: Anabel Fournier Sizes: NB-8 years; Wholesale prices: $5-$46 Fournier has added sportswear pieces - with the same clean lined appeal - to her collection of modern knits.
Outstanding Pieces: I love the way the chocolate silk tiered skirt updates the conservative sweater-vest and sweet blouse. Lynn Meyer Showroom Tel: 212-947-5522 E-mail: lmeyerinc@aol.com
FUNKY KIDS DESIGNER: Shivani Arora Sizes: 2-14; Wholesale prices: $5-$30 You can really get your funk on with this rockin' collection of separates.
Outstanding Pieces: If there were ever an outfit designed for a day in the sun, this hot-pink halter and wonderfully printed paisley skirt is it! Tel: 877-77F-UNKY E-mail: sales@funky-kids.com
JEAN BOURGET DESIGNERS: Jean Bourget design team Sizes: 3 months-16; Wholesale prices: $14-$68 Some designers get color right season after season; others can style shapes with finesse. The Jean Bourget design team nails both.
Outstanding Pieces: It doesn't matter how cold it gets outside, little ones will stay cozy and look fashionable in this gorgeous, lightweight faux-sheepskin coat in a flattering shade of raspberry. The dress with its rich burgundy ribbon trim makes a worthy companion. Groupe Zannier U.S.A. Tel: 212-279-7672 www.jamesgirone.com/groupezannierusa
LE FROMAGE ET L'ORANGE DESIGNER: Sachin Batra Sizes: 2-10; Wholesale prices: $13-$32 No one would call Batra's collection understated, but even with intense colors, layering and embellishment, his garments are never garish.
Outstanding Pieces: The striped pant is constructed from a fabric Batra developed with a textile manufacturer. A "burnout" technique dissolves fibers between the stripes down to the woven base cloth. The result is incredibly light, pliable material. Tel: 203-329-0719 E-mail: info@fromage-lorange.com
HELENA & HARRY IV CO. DESIGNERS: Susan Ingram and Heidi Black Sizes: Infant-14; Wholesale prices: $69-$82 Maybe you didn't buy little Tabitha an iPod, or who knows what other electronic gadget she wanted, and maybe you're feeling a wee bit guilty. Take heart. Helena & Harry's collection of fine dresswear is all about indulgence - and nothing in the line beeps, whistles or plays rap music.
Outstanding Piece: The chocolate and lime paisley velvet coat is what gift giving is all about. Tel: 214-828-1660 E-mail: helenaco@helenaco.com
JEN JEN DESIGNER: Jennifer Marcellus Sizes: 6 months-12; Wholesale prices: $16-$33 Whenever someone asks for a playful line with great prints and plenty of detail, I send them to Jen Jen.
Outstanding Pieces: I love the way the pink velvet ribbon turns this lacy chocolate sweater into something special. It looks great, too, with the coordinating raspberry tee and mod Sixties' flowered bells. Tel: 858-824-1700
LUCKY WANG DESIGNER: Emily Wang Sizes: 6 months-4T; Wholesale prices: $8.50-$37 When you purchase a Lucky Wang garment, you're buying a bit of Wang's sense of humor and her offbeat fashion sense, too.
Outstanding Pieces: Didn't Goldie Hawn wear this skirt in "Butterflies are Free"? Tel: 212-229-2900 E-mail: luckywang@mac.com
PIF DESIGNER: Margarita Aymerich Nolan Sizes: 4-16; Wholesale prices: $34-$65 If your clientele's favorite colors are pink, light blue and beige then take a pass on Nolan's collection. She caters to fashion eccentrics who think classics are a bore and color should be riveting.
Outstanding Pieces: There are eyelets, stripes, crochets and sequins in this go-for-broke ensemble - all that and every color in the spice market, too. Tel: 212-274-8515 E-mail: margaritanolan@msn
TEA DESIGNER: Emily Meyer Sizes: NB- Wholesale prices: $9-$160 Meyer is inspired by the folkloric feeling of Scandinavia and the exotic textiles of Tibet, and isn't afraid to mix them up in her collections. Call it fusion dressing.
Outstanding Pieces: The group of beautifully cut and textured pieces in lilac, grape and gold is as pretty as plum pudding and just as rich. Tel: 415-621-9400 E-mail: info@teacollection.com
YITE BUB DESIGNER: Erin Moran Sizes: NB-4T; Wholesale prices: Contact manufacturer Forgot your Prozac this morning? Don't fret. Head over to Yite Bub where the colors are happy making.
Outstanding Pieces: The soft, velveteen separates in luscious tones of kiwi, apricot, watermelon and raspberry. Scoop 'em up! Tel: 510-239-8389 E-mail: erin@momdesigns.com
KNITS RENATONNI DESIGNER: Maribel Beas Sizes: 2-6 years; Wholesale prices: $15-$40 A beautiful color sense and keen attention to detail are constants in Beas' playful knit collection.
Outstanding Piece: Never mind plain pink. Beas adds a tincture of rust to the color and knits up the prettiest rose shade at the show. The sweater's tapered waist and bellsleeves and its trio of frothy blooms are charming. Tel: 215-915-7893
UBALDIN DESIGNER: The Ubaldin design team Sizes: 2-16; Wholesale price: $51 Can the kids' market ever have enough great sweater collections for boys?
Outstanding Piece: The front looks like a typical - albeit hip - zip-front cardigan. Turn it around and the back is collar-to-waist-band argyles in boy-centric tones of blue - so guys look great coming and going. Bella Rose Imports Tel: 212-594-7673 E-mail: bellaroseimports@aol.com www.jamesgirone.com/bellaroseimports
DRESSES BOGNAR & PICCOLINI DESIGNER: Andrea Bognar Ljustina Sizes: NB-12 years; Wholesale prices: $17-$42 I've never asked, but I'd guess Ljustina is inspired by fairy tale illustrations.
Outstanding Piece: I picture a little pink-cheeked girl twirling around an ice skating rink in this dress, its full velvet skirt glittering with sequins. Tel: 305-444-2278 E-mail: jcannan@bellsouth.net
SWIMWEAR M.N. BIRD CO. DESIGNERS: Mary Naples, Elizabeth Naples Sizes: 12 months-14; Wholesale prices: $15-$24 Lounging on a yacht? Sunbathing atop tar beach? Not this line. M.N. Bird Co. is all about sweet vintage prints and homespun textiles.
Outstanding Pieces: What could be more flattering with a tan than the one-piece suit in the mint-toned floral? Pop over one of the matching sundresses, and you have an outfit that'll elicit good-natured smiles on the beach. Tel: 877-782-0384 / 518-273-2826
SUBMARINE DESIGNERS: Deborah and Marcelo Soriano Sizes: 6 months to 16 years; Wholesale prices: $6.50-$60 Pretty prints with just enough fashion forward detail, and great coordinating cover-ups are the signature of this collection.
Outstanding Pieces: This one-shoulder maillot is just right for lounging on a cruise ship. If exotic travel isn't in the cards, the suit is perfect for a dip in the backyard pool, too. Tel: 305-931-4196 E-mail: submarineswim@aol.com
HAIR ACCESSORIES CONTEMPORARY HEADWEAR DESIGNER: Chrissa Lieberman Wholesale prices: clips-$7-$10 Lieberman sources rich ribbons for her collection of girls' hair "claws."
Outstanding Pieces: Purchase a few "claws" for a girl and you may never have to say "Get your hair off your face!" again. Tel: 201-444-7945 E-mail: chrissadarice@aol.com
SHOES PLAY HOUSE DESIGNER: Serge Grobman Sizes: 10-5; Wholesale prices: $8.50-$28 Trendy footwear with lots of embellishment defines this well priced collection.
Outstanding Pieces: Like a rhinestone cowgirl these embellished boots combine grit with glamour. Tel: 212-489-2890 E-mail: mariannec@dollhousefootwear.com
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