|
|
Between the Shows: November 20, 2009
Homebase: Charlotte, NC OWNERS/DESIGNERS: Mai-Lis Bahr and Meghan Hampton Sizes for Spring/Summer: NB to 4T, Wholesale prices: $34-$42 "We hope our Lil'Dribbler children's clothing line offers you and your little ones an easy and fun alternative to staying presentable while allowing kids to be kids."
As best friends of years standing, Mai-Lis Bahr and Meghan Hampton shared lots of experiences. When each married and had children, the sharing continued - right down to drooling babes. "The Lil' Dribbler concept," say the pair, "was born from personal experiences - and necessity. For instance, we both had droolers. Their outfits were always soaked and this posed a huge problem in the winter months." Concerned that wet chests in cold weather would lead to illness, and tired of messy looking clothing, the two set out to find bibs that stayed dry and looked attractive. Their search proved fruitless. Polka Dot Tot Couture's Lil Dribbler bib and coordinating garments was invented and introduced at the Spring/Summer 2010 Charlotte and Atlanta apparel trade shows. Worn atop one of their classic boy's or girl's pieces, the bib looks like a generous collar yet its lightweight, protective layer of interfacing keeps moisture from soaking through to the outfit below. "We feel that our line offers beautiful and classic designs but we go a step further. Our motto is 'classic designs with moms in mind.' " The Lil' Dribbler, they explain, "provides functionality that helps make mom's day a bit easier." The Lil' Dribbler either folds into the yolk of one of their sweet, traditional styles, while others simply button at the shoulder and snap under the waistband or button in the back. The generous shapes allow for monogramming. Bahr and Hampton's debut spring collections include items such as a classic pinafore dress, bubbles, swing tops and bloomers. For boys there are clean-lined Jon Jons and bubbles. Boys stay cool in a palette of fresh sky blue, aqua and white, while girls' looks include sea tones, delicate pink and vivid fuchsia.
No one will know that the aqua Lil' Dribbler is multitasking as collar and bib. Take if off and a little girl looks clean and fresh in the Bright Pink Peony Bubble.
Big sisters stay clean too, wearing the apron style monogrammed Lil' Dribbler over the Pale Pink Pinafore dress.
Baby brother wears a monogrammed Lil' Dribbler over the aqua Jon Jon. Remove the bib and the babe's ready to roll.
Like a rounder cut? This seersucker bubble (shown with coordinating Lil' Dribbler) provides room to stretch.
With the enthusiastic response to their first collection, the duo say: "We're feeling confident about our idea, so for Fall 2010 we're adding interesting fabrications and designs that continue to be youthful and playful." Still in the works, the designers promise groups of "corduroy and wovens, as well as some fun trims" for both sexes. The patterns for girls will be "bold floral and sweet, softer prints" in a color palette of "aqua, brown, bright pink, turquoise and classic pink." For boys there will be a rich chocolate and apple green combination. Polka Dot Tot Couture Tel: 704 287-6493 E-mail: Info@polkadottotcouture.com
Originally published November 20, 2009
|
|
