Editor's Note: Some of our sponsor companies prefer to keep their children's businesses out of the national and regional trade show circuits (or at least not attend all the shows every season). So to keep you abreast of collections you won't find (or find infrequently) in trade venues, we've started this new column. We think you'll like our "Between the Shows" reviews as much as you've told us you enjoy our "Trade Show Reports" coverage.

AIGLE BOOTS

Homebase: Paris, France

DESIGNER: Aigle design team

Sizes: European 19 (U.S. children's, 18 months) to 34 (U.S. children's, 9-10 years); Wholesale prices: $19.95-$50

The Aigle Boots Company has been offering fine footwear to discerning clients for a long time. A long, long time. The collection was launched in 1853 by an American ex-pat living in France, who introduced the now infamous Wellington knee-high boot. Oddly enough, the collection wasn't sold domestically until 2005. "Knowing the U.S. origins of the brand and having first hand experience in the superior quality of their products," says Olivier Martin, who discovered Aigle products while living in Paris, "I felt compelled to do something about it. So I offered my services to Aigle as an independent and exclusive representative for their natural rubber boots collection."

Aigle's fans appreciate the attractive, fashion forward styling, as well as the company's insistence on fine workmanship and natural materials. "Our customers are very sensitive to the fact that our boots are handcrafted out of natural not synthetic rubber. Not only does it make our boots extremely comfortable, but our customers appreciate the "green" materials used," says Martin.

Customers are responding to the new children's Lolly Pop collection for 2009. The colorful items, printed with a selection of luscious fruit, are crafted with natural rubber and include a 100 percent cotton lining and a removable, washable insole.

Fraise

Citron

Orange

U.S. Distributor: CaliEagle (Dallas, TX)

Tel: 972-386-6500 / (877) 488-7503 (8AM - 5PM PST)

E-mail: sales@aigleboots.com

www.aigleboots.com

Originally published January 10, 2009