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Between the Shows: August 17, 2008 Editor's Note: Some of our sponsor companies prefer to keep their children's businesses out of the national and regional wholesale 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 coverage.
SWEETERS Homebase: Maitland, FL DESIGNER: Sue Katz Wholesale prices: $26-$42 Buyers are demanding specialty items - sweaters, room décor, even slippers - that can be personalized with a child's name or initial. For the fall, Katz, whose been supplying hand-knit children's sweaters and blankets to boutiques and upscale department stores such as Barneys NY, Takashimaya, Bergdorf Goodman and recently Best & Co., for over 20 years, has launched Sweeters Pals.
Hot pick: All the hand-knit dolls, like the charming Honey bear shown, can be sewn to order and personalized. Tel: 888-859-8587
CRIB ROCK COUTURE & DECOR Homebase: Westlake Village, CA DESIGNER: Tracy Bobbitt Children's Sizes: 12 months to 11 years; Wholesale prices: Onesies and tees $15-$16.50, Cheap Sticks $14 You've seen them on Angelina's and Gwyneth's kids and on Violet and Ben's daughter. The funky Crib Rock Couture children's T-shirts printed with fairy tale-inspired "rock bands" are celebrity "must-haves." Now Tracy and husband/partner Russell Bobbitt have launched a new collection for Spring 2009: Legends, a line of 100 percent cotton tees for boys. Says Tracy, "Using the talents of gifted artists from the motion picture industry ("Iron Man" and "Star Trek") we've created a fierce collection of folklore Legends from around the globe: El Chupacabra of Mexico and Texas, Reptillia of Japan, Scotland's Loch Ness, the European Dragon, Yeti aka the Abominable Snowman of Outer Mongolia and Tibet, the Nordic Kraken and our own, Big Foot."
More for Spring 2009: Cheap Sticks: A collection of wall stickers, above, that match the Legends tees.
Hot pick: Pick a monster, any monster for the hippest little man in town. For the fully coordinated child, order a wall sticker to match. Tel: 818-584-0000
HAND PICKED PUMPKIN Homebase: Oak Park, Illinois DESIGNER: Allison Case Children's Sizes: 3 months to 4T; Wholesale price: $16 Allison Case launched Hand Picked Pumpkin, a wholesale and retail children's clothing collection in 2006, to offer discerning buyers "stylish, comfy clothing proudly manufactured in the USA." Each item is crafted from durable cotton interlock for ease of movement. They're simple, comfortable and modern.
Hot pick: To her girls' collection for Fall 2008, Case is adding the Audrey Shirt Dress (also available in black). "This great bridge dress is made of 100 percent cotton interlock knit and is trimmed with woven accents at the collar and chest. It's terrific worn alone or paired with flared pant," she says. Tel: 708-524-1812
Originally published August 17, 2008
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