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They Don't Stick Around for Nothing In an industry growing as rapidly as childrenswear, collections don't survive season-after-season if the styles they offer get stale. I've gone to hundreds of ENK Children's Club trade shows and I'm rarely disappointed in the majority of collections I view. For the Fall 2006 season though, the originality, gorgeous color work and craftsmanship found in established lines blew me away.
LAYETTE BOGNAR & PICCOLINI DESIGNER: Andrea Bognar Ljustina Sizes: NB-12; Wholesale prices: $14-$42 Attention grandmothers! Ljustina has the cutest baby set in the market.
Outstanding Pieces: The lacy wrap sweater that ties with silk bows and the lace-edged, raw silk bloomers are what gift giving is all about. Tel: 305-444-2278 E-mail: bognar@bellsouth.net
SPORTSWEAR APPAMAN DESIGNER: Harald Husum Sizes: 12 months-6; Wholesale prices: $10-$28 I won't say that Husum put the cool in kids' clothes, but he got the rebel T-shirt trend going.
Outstanding Pieces: The fleece lined Vintage Ski Jacket should keep kids warm while they look cool. Tel: 718-208-5221 E-mail: info@appaman.com
A-WEAR KIDS DESIGNER: Dana Schwartz Sizes: 4-16; Wholesale prices: $15-$47 Schwartz presented four easy-to-merchandise groups, each with terrific prints and fabrications. There's even a vintage inspired pair of black lace leggings that will be widely copied.
Outstanding Pieces: Schwartz' outfit works three important trends: garment layering; pattern combining; and the important brown and pink color combination. Tel: 408-236-2071 E-mail: danaschwartz@a-wearapparel.com
BEETLEJUICE LONDON DESIGNER: The Beetlejuice design team Sizes: infant-14; Wholesale prices: Contact manufacturer Talk about detail. Beetlejuice designers love embroidery, ruffles, appliqués and glitter - often in one piece.
Outstanding Pieces: The velvet coat abloom with rose-toned embroidered flowers is one of the company's understated designs - and one of its best. More earthly delights climb atop the boot-cut jeans. Tel: 212-944-0555 E-mail: newyork@beetlejuice.co.uk www.jamesgirone.com/beetlejuice
CHIQUITA DESIGNER: Sylvia Dominguez Sizes: 4-16; Wholesale prices: $15-$30 This new collection for Janis Millstein Sales, offers fashion forward toddler to teen styles at hard-to-find prices.
Outstanding Pieces: The shrug employs a rich camouflage print with a distressed finish; the skirt is that browned-down khaki that blends with everything. I can't think of a teen who wouldn't flip for this outfit. Janis Millstein Sales Tel: 212-239-4660 E-mail: janisales@aol.com www.jamesgirone.com/janismillsteinsales
DAGMAR DALEY DESIGNER: Dagmar Daley Sizes: 18 months-6; Wholesale prices: $12.50-$36 I'm always impressed by the one or two beautifully realized, finely crafted vintage-inspired pieces Daley designs for her collection each season.
Outstanding Pieces: The charcoal colored dress has 30's touches such as the hip-length band-belt and pin tucks at the neckline. Delicate beige swirls printed on the cloth bring the dress into the 21st century. Tel: 415-641-1286 E-mail: info@dagmardaley.com
DANICA AND DYLAN DESIGNER: Brian Riley Sizes: 2T-12; Wholesale prices: $14-$40 This collection gets hipper each season. For fall, Riley is focusing on hand-painting and embroidery to great effect.
Outstanding Pieces: You won't find an animal rendered with such elegance in any other collection. Tel: 908-251-4170 E-mail: customerservice@danicaanddylan.com
FUNKY KIDS DESIGNER: Manish Walia Sizes: 2-14; Wholesale prices: Contact manufacturer Each season Walia dreams up trend directed sportswear pieces with a feminine edge. Lace is his inspiration this fall.
Outstanding Pieces: A girl's mother will covet this lace and velvet ensemble in the season's most important color combination - teal and brown - and so will young fashionistas. Tel: 877-77FUNKY E-mail: sales@funky-kids.com
HONEY BEE & ME DESIGNER: Buket Erdogen Sizes: NB-7; Wholesale prices: $12-$78 Fabulous, Technicolor coats are Erdogen's trademark. This season she pairs the shaggy outerwear with vintage inspired skirts.
Outstanding Pieces: Bushy and bright on top; delicate and softly vintage on the bottom. That's the yin and yang of this look. Tel: 810-695-2709 / 718.832.7720 E-mail: info@honeybeeandme.com
JUDITH LACROIX DESIGNER: Judith Lacroix Sizes: 3 months-12 years; Wholesale prices: $20-$100 Clean, classic shapes, gorgeous textiles and a judicious hand with details define Lacroix's style. With one exception…
Outstanding Pieces: Move over Baby. The teal faux fur jacket is like Janis Joplin dropping in for tea. The piece shakes up the whole collection in just the right way. Tel: 33-14-28-21-250 E-mail: judithlacroix@aol.com NY Tel: 212-279-5665
MELI MELI DESIGNER: Renee Kollias Sizes: 2-12; Wholesale prices: $14-$80 Think rock star meets debutante and you've got Meli Meli.
Outstanding Pieces: Why settle for one ruffle when you can have a million? Ditto for embroidered flowers. Tel: 650-326-2252 E-mail: renee@melimeli.com
NANO BABY DESIGNER: Patricja Pienkowski Sizes: NB-4T; Wholesale prices: $11-$16 Delicately drawn animal motifs lend a sweet note to the company's casual layette and playwear.
Outstanding pieces: The little bubble skirt resembles a puff of cotton candy; the black tee brings the outfit down to earth. Tel: 973-616-1515 E-mail: info@nano-baby.com
OILILY DESIGNER: The Oilily design team Sizes: NB-8 years; Wholesale prices: $18-$130 Oilily, the Dutch brand with stores worldwide, is offering retailers its first children's sportswear, knit and footwear wholesale collections. Buyers and the press who viewed the collections in a hotel during the ENK show, were given a booklet with the theme for the groups. Each item is based on a character named Lily who befriends a swan and the adventures the pair experience. The heavily detailed garments sport bird patterns, Asian inspired florals, multi-paneled folkloric prints and patchwork. Many of the pieces are embellished with ribbon printed with fortune cookie messages. True to Oilily's standards, the fabrics and craftsmanship reflect the highest standards.
Outstanding Pieces: The light blue, cable-knit sweater is festooned with hand sewn scrolling florals. Part of its charm is the way it blends with - not matches - the full, floral printed skirt. Tel: 877-213-8565 E-mail: wholesale@oililyusa.com
PURA VIDA NYC DESIGNER: Sandra Finkelstein Sizes: 6 months-6 years; Wholesale prices: Contact manufacturer This arty little collection of T-shirts, sweaters and loads of denim has a left-leaning, modern aesthetic.
Outstanding Pieces: You'll feel like you've been transported to the Garden of Eden when you feast your eyes on this shrug alive with hummingbirds and rich red poppies. It's a beauty. Tel: 917-374-2465 E-mail: info@puravidanyc.com
PURE PENSEE DESIGNER: Jacques Lichtenstein Sizes: 6 months-12 years; Wholesale prices: $11-$60 People talk about "mini-me" looks, or children's clothing that mimics adult designs. Lichtenstein looks to womenswear for inspiration, then turns out designs that are sophisticated yet whimsical enough for children to understand.
Outstanding Pieces: The soft dove grays and dusty lilacs in this trio, and mix of pattern and texture, mark Lichtenstein as one of the finest manufacturers at the show. New York (347-886-7640) Los Angeles (213-629-1690) Email: info@purepensee.com
TINA NEUMANN DESIGNER: Tina Neumann Sizes: 2-18; Wholesale prices: $29-$90 I always set aside a chunk of time at the show to linger in Neumann's booth. She's a topnotch colorist whose items deserve attention.
Outstanding Pieces: The teal velvet coat with intricate pumpkin and moss Indian inspired designs is a show stopper. Natalie & Friends Tel: 212-947-2995
ZUTANO DESIGNER: Uli Belenky Sizes: Preemie-6; Wholesale prices: Contact manufacturer Collection after collection, Uli Belenky puts together saleable color groups that stay true to trends while adding her own touch, and designs adorable prints that are never too cute.
Outstanding Pieces: With this group's rich colors and arresting blend of textures and patterns, what's not to like? Tel: 800-287-5139 E-mail: zutano@zutano.com
BOYS BURWELL NEW YORK DESIGNER: Caroline Burwell Sizes: 2-8; Wholesale prices: $19-$95 To Burwell's preppie-with-a-twist collection she adds whimsical T-shirts printed with 19th Century engravings; hip Liberty of London floral shirts; and one fabulous coat.
Outstanding Pieces: Country mouse meets city mouse in this backwoods style checked peacoat luxuriously trimmed with black fur. Tel: 212-217-6212 E-mail: info@burwellnewyork.com
MR. TINY DESIGNERS: Amy Gropp Forbes and Lauren Gropp Lowry Sizes: toddler-6X; Wholesale prices: $7.50-$35 The Gropp sisters always present a tightly focused collection of easy to merchandise, modern boyswear.
Outstanding Pieces: The soft T-shirt in the rich earth toned stripes blends effortlessly with the beautifully tailored herringbone wool pants. Of course, the tee could be paired with the company's striped leggings or cords, and the pants would make a gracious partner to any of their hip floral shirts. Tel: 718-788-4380 E-mail: lauren@mrtiny.com
DRESSES BETSY & BABS DESIGNER: Susan Lizan Sizes: 4-16; Wholesale prices: $9.50-$60 Betsy and Babs is known for feminine sports and dresswear with great prints and plenty of fashion forward details.
Outstanding Pieces: Lizan blends feminine touches with a military theme in this two-piece set. The jacket's flattering cut and the curve-hugging lace skirt make the pieces ideal for any event where a special occasion dress would be too formal. Tel: 212-730-7641 E-mail: andrea@betsyandbabs.com; susan@betsyandbabs.com
KNITS DIBATO DESIGNER: Laura De Dios Sizes: NB-junior; Wholesale prices: $25-$40 Every sweater in this collection of decorative knits is hand woven by female artisans. Screen printing and subtle spray painting lend a mini-me sophistication.
Outstanding Pieces: There wasn't a sweater at the show that did a better job of capturing the opulent mood of the season. Tel: 212-517-4665 E-mail: odediosrojas@yahoo.com
KICO KIDS DESIGNER: Tia Cibani Sizes: 2-12; Wholesale prices: $22-130 Cibani designs for the style conscience shopper who insists on luxurious yarns but not a lot of frills.
Outstanding Pieces: The capelet with pompom trim is the chic answer to the poncho of a few seasons back. Tel: 617-764-0352 E-mail: kittypu@kicokids.com
OUTERWEAR BRYCEWEAR DESIGNER: Pamela Watson Sizes: 6 months-7; Wholesale prices: contact manufacturer Watson is known for boys' bespoke suits and cool separates. Her new leather goods have a sexy appeal.
Outstanding Pieces: Details such as side zippers and a double-snap collar make the richly toned racer jackets a "must-have" for boy's wardrobes. Tel: 917-299-1828 E-mail: info@brycewear.com
7 AM ENFANT DESIGNER: Rebecca Campora Sizes: NB-8 years; Wholesale prices: Approximately $11-$70 Parisian designer Campora's sleekly modern collection features hats, coats, blankets and stroller blankets - everything a parent needs to keep their kids warm for winter.
Outstanding Pieces: The Blanket 212. The handsome piece functions as a cozy baby sac that slips easily over the handles of a stroller and can be folded open and used as a blanket. When the carriage isn't in use, the piece can function as a sleeping bag. Comes in many different colors; black and red shown. Tel: 212-302-0888 E-mail: info@7amenfant.com
KIDS CASE DESIGNER: Jacqueline van Nieuwkerk Sizes: infant through toddlers; Wholesale prices: Contact manufacturer This collection out of Amsterdam focuses on strong colors and body conscience, fuss-free styles.
Outstanding Pieces: van Nieuwkerk joins sleek skiwear with grunge when she layers the red quilted jacket over the deconstructed plaid shirt. Puur Tel: 212-239-1805 E-mail: jinny@puurinc.com
MIMI & MAGGIE DESIGNER: Alisan Nakazawa Sizes: 12 months-6X; Wholesale prices: $17-$59 The reason Mimi & Maggie's designs look like they've been hand-crafted by artisans is because they are.
Outstanding Pieces: The appliquéd coat with fur trim is trend-heavy, and disarmingly playful, too. Tel: 323-264-0200 E-mail: info@mimiandmaggie.com
PEACHES 'N CREAM DESIGNER: Cherie Martin Sizes: 12m-10; Wholesale prices: $17.75-$40 (price includes a coordinating hat). What's better than Martin's well-priced sportswear and outerwear? All the hairbows and bags that match the garments. The cute coats come with a matching hat.
Outstanding Pieces: Little girls will love these cuddly, ultra-warm, fashionably colored, faux fur coats. Janis Millstein Sales Tel: 212-239-4660 E-mail: janisales@aol.com www.jamesgirone.com/janismillsteinsales
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