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Children's Club Spring 2007: Revealing the Inner Modernist If you're familiar with the established manufacturers who exhibited at the October (15-17, 2006) ENK Children's Club Show, you're apt to notice one thing: Whether they're offbeat or classic, the designers cut back on frills and worked a simpler, pared down aesthetic. The result: Contemporary styling, even when the inspiration for their collections was tapped from earlier eras.
SPORTSWEAR ASHOR'S ROOM DESIGNER: Nicole Rairigh Sizes: 12 months to 8 years; Wholesale prices: $11-$32 Rairigh pulls ideas for her collection from popular culture - art books, movies, and old comics - rather than relying on fashion forecasters. The outcome is always a personal reflection of the designer, not an amalgamation of current trends.
Outstanding pieces: Who thought the Leisure suit would make a comeback? The groovy dude, just-this-side-of-tacky set was the inspiration for Rairigh's Leisure shirt and polo. Her spin on the look: 100 percent cotton (no more Orlon), frayed edges and hip colors. Tel: 773-486-2253 E-mail: ashorsroom@sbcglobal.net
CHILDISH CLOTHING DESIGNER: Skye Hoppus Sizes: NB-7 years; Wholesale prices: $10-$29 Hoppus' clothing is childish - and not. Both her kids' line and maternity designs work a mod, Sixties' aesthetic.
Outstanding pieces: These unembellished Terry cloth dresses function as playwear and make ideal beach cover-ups. Tel: 310-287-9957 E-mail: info@childishclothing.com
DEVI BABY DESIGNER: The Design Team Sizes: 6 months-6X; Wholesale prices: $16-$30 Mosley's Indian prints and whimsical insect appliqués give even basic items a jolt of exotica.
Outstanding pieces: Mosley updates last season's puckered sundress with rich colors and hand-blocked pattern. The top is great as is or over pants. Tel: 310-823-9504 E-mail: devibaby@devibaby.com
ICKY PRODUCTS DESIGNER: Kate Somerset Sizes: 12 months to 6 years; Wholesale prices: $ 13-$35 Somerset's collection of separates isn't icky at all.
Outstanding pieces: The full skirt and puffed sleeves of the playful seersucker dress is right out of The Wizard of Oz. Judy would approve. Tel: 714-424-9940 E-mail: eclare@icky.com
INNIES & OUTIES DESIGNER: Abbie Murray-Cotes Sizes: 3 months to 4T; Wholesale prices: $5-$32 Innies and Outies refers to the reversible designs Murray-Cotes specializes in (you thought it referred to belly buttons, right?). For spring, she's added T-shirts, blankets and a few non-reversible items, too.
Outstanding piece: The rich colors, the fun print and that pop of bright pink trim makes this reversible piece a likable two-timer. Tel: 866-866-2880 E-mail: info@inniesnouties.com
CHERISE DESIGNER: Sachin Batra Sizes: 2T-7, 7-16; Wholesale prices: Children's collection: $13-$22, Junior collection: $22-$42 Batra, the owner/designer of Le Fromage et L'orange, has added the new "Cherise" junior collection to his line of exuberantly colored and patterned kids' wear. The mood is outgoing, but there's a touch of restraint.
Outstanding pieces: This filmy, Indian inspired dress is about as demure as Batra gets. Tel: 203-329-0719 E-mail: info@cheriseinc.com
LULEE BABES DESIGNER: Dessira Tish Sizes: 6 months to 6 years; Wholesale prices: $13-$35 Understatement is the name of the game with this collection of delicate sportswear pieces.
Outstanding pieces: The coral top with its subtle suggestion of peasant styling gives the preppy skirt an edge. Tel: 415-793-4592 E-mail: sales@luleebabes.com
OILILY DESIGNER: The Oilily design team Sizes: Layette to 6X; Wholesale prices: $7-$88 Buyers follow the rainbow to this gorgeous, beautifully conceived treasure of a collection.
Outstanding pieces: The designers aren't afraid to mix it up: Seersucker with voile; polka dots and plaid. It's the way the colors meld and the shapes stay uncluttered that allows this duo to soar. Tel: 877-213-8565 E-mail: amy@oililyusa.com
SPOILED COTTON DESIGNER: Marissa Goldsmith Sizes: 6 months to 4T; Wholesale prices: $3-$20 Goldsmith relies on a gorgeous selection of colors and luxurious sanded cotton to give oomph to her basic dresses, T-shirts and onesies.
Outstanding pieces: If you closed your eyes and touched the Prairie Dress, you'd swear you were feeling velvet. Colors come in an array of bright and subdued tones and the slight bubble hem makes the shape especially appealing. Tel: 310-803-5445 E-mail: info@spoiledcotton.com
WATI DESIGN DESIGNER: Wati Grossman Sizes: 2 to 12 years; Wholesale prices: $11-$20 Walk into Grossman's richly painted booth with its bullfighting posters and wildly ruffled garments and you know you're encountering an original.
Outstanding pieces: Pair anything with the lush lime and yellow ruffled blouse for a couture look. Tel: 650-224-7478 E-mail: wati@bywati.com
BOYS' COLLECTIONS MR. TINY DESIGNERS: Amy Gropp Forbes and Lauren Gropp Lowry Sizes: 3 months to 6 years; Wholesale prices: $14-$25 I admire the way the Gropp sisters produce a line of pieces that look basic - until you give them a second glance. Then they're all about texture, just the right detail and great, easy-to-move-in shapes.
Outstanding pieces: Both sisters use color with confidence. Here they've chosen a graphic floral and punched it up with mustard and slate. The mixing and matching options are endless. Tel: 718-788-4380 E-mail: lauren@mrtiny.com
PAULINA QUINTANA DESIGNER: Paulina Quintana Sizes: NB-6 years; Wholesale prices: $6-$25 Quintana's wares pack a punch: Bold color and vivid Sixties' style prints.
Outstanding pieces: The lime polo shirt and gray slacks reflect the quieter side of Quintana, but they're not for the faint of heart. Tel: 323-662-4010 E-mail: paulina@paulinaquintana.com
WILD MANGO DESIGNER: The Wild Mango design team Sizes: 6 months to 7 years; Wholesale prices: $3-$18 This South African-based company produces a stylish collection for boys and girls that invite good times in the sun.
Outstanding pieces: The sun bleached set looks as if it were worn by a little boy who spent long days at the beach. Tel: 888-WL-MANGO / 818-994-4442 E-mail: info@wildmangoclothing.com
WONDERBOY DESIGNER: Christine Johnston Sizes: 6 months to 4T; Wholesale prices: $12-$43 To her collection of retro-printed boys' shirts, Johnston has added jackets and pants that work the same vintage mood.
Outstanding pieces: The jacket has a "boys-in-the-bowling-alley" feeling but its clean silhouette and lack of kitschy embellishment stop it from being too "Happy Days." Tel: 215-462-1177 E-mail: info@wonderboyclothing.com
DRESS COLLECTIONS PIPPA & MINNOW DESIGNERS: Jane Albin with Marjorie Priceman Sizes: 9 months to 7 years; Wholesale prices: $12-$35 Albin (who also designs the Katie & Co. line) has teamed up with book illustrator Priceman to fashion the Pippa & Minnow collection of charming girls' and boys' separates and dresses. Like Priceman's books ("Emeline at the Circus"; "Zin! Zin! Zin! A Violin"), the simple silhouettes feature fanciful animal and floral appliqués.
Outstanding pieces: The A-line shapes serve as a neutral backdrop for the mix of pastel prints and charming imagery. Tel: 570-523-0788 E-mail: info@pippaminnow.com
MELI MELI DESIGNER: Renee Kollias Sizes: 2-14; Wholesale prices: $17-$75 Kollias is a terrific colorist (note the dresses below) and she has a knack for working ruffles into just about anything.
Outstanding pieces: There's one word for these silk charmeuse dresses: Gorgeous. Tel: 650-326-2252 E-mail: renee@melimeli.com
KNITWEAR AMBER HAGEN DESIGNER: Amber Hagen Sizes: 3 months to 24 months; Wholesale prices: $20-$105 This mod collection of sweaters and matching blankets happens to be one of the softest lines on the market.
Outstanding pieces: The peace symbol hoodie and coordinating wrap is available in cashmere as well as "cotton cashmere," brushed cotton with a buttery hand. The pieces make great gift items for pacifist moms and dads. Tel: 310-617-0665 E-mail: amber@amberhagen.com
IMOGA NEW YORK DESIGNER: Heajung Chung Sizes: 3 months-6 years; Wholesale prices: $14.50-$30 Chung's fans have one-stop shopping: Great knits in modern colors and now, clean lined wovens to pair them with.
Outstanding pieces: One pleat in the center of this A-line skirt gives the garment more style than three tiers and lots of lace. Tel: 201-686-4767 E-mail: info@imoga.net
GOOD STUFF BY JESSE WALKER DESIGNER: Dale Schlauch Sizes: 3 months to 6 years; Wholesale prices: $37-$60 Schlauch's bright colors, super soft cotton, chenille and real cashmere make touching her playful knits a sensual delight.
Outstanding pieces: Imagine dressing a little one in this adorable sweater and boy shorts. Total grandma bait. Tel: 303-494-7571 E-mail: info@jessewalkerknitgoods.com
SAM'S FRIEND DESIGNER: Shelley Hunt Sizes: 12 months to 7 years; Wholesale prices: $6-$38 Buyers turn to this collection for beautifully constructed and colored knits with an impish streak.
Outstanding pieces: Want to brighten your mood? This little dress with its garden scene and the matching cardigan is better than an hour with your shrink. Cheaper, too. Tel: 212-967-2918 E-mail: mbsskivvy@aol.com
SWIMWEAR/SUN PROTECTIVE CLOTHING PLANET SEA DESIGNER: Adriana Dranoff Sizes: Infant to 14 years; Wholesale prices: $15-$34 Lots of tropical prints, fashion forward, flattering colors and plenty of shapes to choose from make Planet Sea a great resource for swimwear buyers.
Outstanding pieces: Camouflage or not, a girl wearing one of these beaded suits will be noticed. Tel: 305-345-6559 E-mail: adriana@planet-sea.com
CABANA LIFE DESIGNER: Melissa Papock Sizes: NB-child; Wholesale prices: $8.25-$24 Simple shapes, airy fabrics and just enough detail define Papock's chic beach collection. But what makes this line such a must have is what you can't see: Every item is treated with a non-toxic solution that offers high levels of sun protection, so kids can romp on the beach without burning. Amen to that.
Outstanding pieces: This periwinkle colored Terry cloth hoodie serves as a cover-up over a bathing suit or a tunic atop the lightweight white pants. The blues in this group are as refreshing as a dip in the Caribbean. Tel: 646.291.6626 E-Mail: Melissa@cabanalife.com
T-SHIRTS/JERSEY COLLECTIONS ZUTANO DESIGNER: Uli Belenky Sizes: Preemie-6 years; Wholesale prices: contact manufacturer Belenky admits to being "crazy for color." In the nearly 18 years she and husband Michael Belenky have been producing their ever-growing collection, she hasn't produced a hue one could call a lemon (if she did it would be a lovely, buttery lemon).
Outstanding pieces: The new "Onezie." Now buyers have a stay put top to coordinate with the company's adorable pants, jumpers - everything. Tel: 802-563-2961 E-mail: zutano@zutano.com
NANO BABY DESIGNER: Patricja Pienkowski Sizes: infant, toddler, boys 4-7; Wholesale prices: $13-$18 Pienkowski's collection walks a tight rope between rock 'n' roll and sweet femininity without toppling into either.
Outstanding piece: Rough edges on the cocoa dress are softened with the pink butterflies and ruffle along the hem. Tel: 973-616-1515 E-mail: sales@nano-baby.com
GLUG BABY DESIGNERS: Kristen and Luis Pena Sizes: 3 months to 6 years; Wholesale prices: $56-$105 for a pre-pack of four items. With all the multi-embellished, appliquéd and stitched T-shirts out there, it's refreshing to find designers who get their message across with a few lines or a single motif.
Outstanding pieces: Every girl could use one of these understated mock wrap dresses. It's great as is, wonderful with leggings, too. Tel: 415-244-1411 E-mail: kristen@glugbaby.com
ANGELIC GENIUS DESIGNER: Marine Goss Sizes: 6 months to 2 years; Wholesale prices: $9 to $26 (for 2-piece set) Goss's collection of rock 'n' roll inspired T-shirts, leggings and hats will make groovy moms and their hip babies swoon.
Outstanding pieces: Scrabble anyone? Goss uses America's favorite board game to spell "hot," "smart," "rocking," and other positive words. That's a triple-word score! Tel: 310-862-4521 E-mail: wholesale@angelicgenius.com
Originally published November 8, 2006
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