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Children's Club: Ring in the New for Spring 2007 One of life's little pleasures is in discovery‚ and part of the fun of covering Children's Club is not only revisiting old friends (well-established lines that never fail to disappoint) but finding new companies that have a point of view and philosophy - and fill a niche in the market. Below are some of the accessory and footwear lines (two years and under - or in a few cases - companies that may have been around for awhile but are new to Children's Club) which stood out this season.
MY CUTE BAG Uniquely designed handbags, 'wallettes' (smaller than traditional wallets), and totes that feature vintage and vintage inspired fabrics and trims Designer: Linda Williams Ages: flexible Wholesale: $12.50 Standouts: The versatile Phyllis' Fleur a Deux wood baskets, decorated with large silk flowers on top (in a choice of 4 colors), rhinestone flower button closures, and lined in cotton fabric. They can be used as a handbag, a room accessory, a bridal party accessory, or as novel gift packaging.
FYI: Linda's mother, Phyllis, is the inspiration behind her bags. Her first bag, was called Phyllis' Pflowers, and whenever she carried it, people would say, "How cute!" or, "What a cute bag!" Hence, the name of the company, 'My Cute Bag'. Tel: 888-551-0031, X702 E-Mail: Linda@mycutebag.com
GOGO GEAR Sensible, fun, hip, sturdy book/travel bags for "overloaded" children Designer: Katharine Marinaro Ages: Up to 5th grade (10 years old) Wholesale: $65 Standouts: Their smartly designed 'trendy' bags on wheels made of canvas or high tech PV material that are also equipped with speakers and IPod holders.
FYI: Katharine's husband is a chiropractor and as parents, they both came to realize that heavy backpacks were potentially injurious to the backs of school children; this inspired them to create something less harmful. And thankfully, they haven't forgotten the grownups: "GoGo Voyage" is a fashionable line of rolling travel bags for the executive woman. Tel: 310-589-2898 E-Mail: Katharine@gogogeargoods.com
MAA High quality Spanish made shoes that are beautiful, useful, and comfortable Sizes: Preemie, Layette, Infant, Toddler Designer: Antonio Lopez-Rocca Wholesale: $24-$31 Standouts: The sporty, classic, yet 'funky' pastel hued unisex 'kiltie' oxfords; the group of glittery ballet slippers and Mary Janes
FYI: This is their very first season, and their first Children's Club. The philosophy of the company is the knowledge that the infant foot is moldable, so a bad influence during growth could have potential problems as an adult. They have recently introduced a patented high tech, antibacterial carbon active reusable innersole. The shoes are sold in 39 countries; Europe and Middle East are their biggest markets. Tel: 34 96 394 00 03 E-Mail: info@tritexcorporationsl.com
FUZZY COUTURE Colorful, handcrafted products made from organic wool in organic colors (keeping true to ancient Russian traditions) Sizes: Infant to teenagers Wholesale: $5-$60 Designers: Vicky Petrossiants, Inna Ioulevitch Standouts: The wool 'floral' necklaces; mid calf boots decorated with contrasting colored flowers and yarn (which Vicky and Inna say are similar to Ugg boots, only "better").
FYI: Everything is made in Russia; there is not one single stitch used (or a machine); the wool is extremely dense and protective against the cold and damp; the dyes used are very gentle and guaranteed to be hypoallergenic. Tel: 917-721-9083 E-Mail: victorina@nyc.rr.com
KOKO Artistic, colorful, graphic, creative home accessories (with an unapologetically old world, ethnic look and feel) Designer: Olga Vieira Size: Girls 7-14, Preteen Wholesale: $20-$48 Standouts: The expressive group of felt pillows made in Nepal; the stuffed animals (in every shape and size) made in Northwest India.
FYI: Colombian born Olga Vieira was a fashion designer previously; she uses only allergy free, natural fibers. Though she has been in business for 11 years, this is her first Children's Club. Tel: 718-392-7799 E-Mail: koko@kokocompany.com
EMILY GREEN Colorful, whimsical, unique accessories and gift items that are "all about children using their imagination." Designer: Emily Green Ages: 2 years and up Wholesale: $6.50-$20 Standouts: The eye catching and whimsical "Make a Mess" kits which are offered in a variety of designs (including a monkey and a daisy). Each contains one 10-inch melamine plate, one 6-inch melamine bowl, a melamine fork and spoon set, and a reusable tote.
FYI: Their motto is, "A Brand of Imagination" and Emily uses her own artwork and recycled vintage fabrics. She believes that anyone can be an artist and her products are meant to bring out the creativity in both children and adults. Tel: 323.965.9115 Tel: 212-369-8172 E-Mail: vktrading@vickiteman.com
AMBER HAGEN "Funky, Luxury, Celebrity" baby accessories, blankets/quilts, layette, cashmere knits, reversible cotton/cashmere knits Designer: Amber Hagen Size: Layette, Infant, Toddler Wholesale: $14-$105 Standouts: The cashmere knitted blankets and sweaters printed with peace signs, hearts, and smiley faces (Barneys can't keep them in stock).
FYI: Amber graduated from Harvard Law School and was a corporate lawyer for 5 years before going into business. She learned how to knit from her mother and knitted for her friends; the Bel Air Hotel asked her to design 5 sweaters with a swan (their symbol) which sold out over one weekend. She quit her 'day' job and the rest is history. Tel: 310-617-0665 E-Mail: amber@lulah.com
ALIVIAN COLLECTION Designer hair accessories Sizes: Infant, Toddler, Girls 4-6X, Girls 7-14, Preteen Wholesale: $4.50-$20 Designer: Natalia Berg Nielsen Standouts: The headbands, stretch headbands, clip-ons, and crochet hats adorned with colorful flowers
FYI: While Natalia has a design background, her business partner, Victoria Naloychenko has a strong background in business and sales. Their daughters, ballet dancers and best friends, are their muses and appear in their photographs. Everything is handmade in the U.S. and they personally check each and every item themselves. The company was launched in Denmark in 1998 but this is only their second season selling in the U.S. Moscow is still their best selling city because, as they say, the Muscovites are very fashion conscious and always looking for new things. The duo plan to design handbags next. Tel: 347-406-4181 E-Mail: info@alivian.us
GIDDY GIDDY Handmade, handcrafted felt hair clips that perfectly mix form and function Designer: Teri Dimalanta Age: Newborn to 8 Wholesale: $4 Standouts: The colorful felt flower, fruit, and animal hair clips which are guaranteed to stay on even the finest of baby hair.
FYI: Teri describes herself as an "investment analyst turned craftaholic mom". The company is so named because she admits to being "most giddy when sewing, painting, designing, and making stuff." Tel: 213-629-9874 E-Mail: info@paperdollstyle.com
SHOOFOO Affordable top quality soft sole baby shoes Designer: Xiaoguang Li Sizes: 4 sizes, from 0-24 months Retail: $18 Standouts: The puppy dog, butterfly, bunny, and train designs
FYI: Shoofoo means "comfort" in Chinese and their motto is, "Shoofoo (Jimmy Choo who?)" Ms. Li and her husband, Zheung Lu, a civil engineer by training, founded the company about six months ago. Their most important goal was to create a high quality product that would be affordable to the middle class. When they first had their son, they spent $26 on a shoe from "a competitor" and thought that was unnecessary. Everything is designed at home (in Washington State) and made in China. All the shoes are formfitting for natural movement, feature skid resistant soles, and the designs face the baby. The shoes are designed so babies can't take them off by themselves. Tel: 888.368.6248 E-mail: info@shoofoo.com
PODT TRAINING High quality, functional, and easy-to-care-for baby accessories, bath accessories, blankets/quilts, gift items with a sense of humor, keeping little "pea-ple" in mind Designer: Marina Belozersky Sizes: 3- 24 months Wholesale: $11-$14 Standouts: The "Pea-ple Collection" with t's bearing names like Grum-pea, Hap-pea, Wee-pea, Slop-pea, Slee-pea. They are sold with versatile papier-mache boxes or round bags with see thru vinyl tops which affix easily on to a carriage or stroller and can also be used separately as a little girls' handbag.
FYI: Everything is designed with both the child and parent in mind and there's much attention given to the boxes and packaging as well. Each item in the clothing line features custom designed embroidered artwork. Tel: 973-865-5014 E-Mail: marina@podttraining.com
2H HANDKNITS Affordable, fun, 100% hand or flat knit clothing for children Designer: Puttachard Tanomrat Sizes: 6 months-14 years Wholesale: $20-$40 Standouts: The highly textural hand knit cardigans decorated with oversized‚ crocheted flowers and large mother of pearl or coconut shell buttons; the hand knitted scarves with crochet buttons; whimsical hats; hand knitted baby blankets.
FYI: The company is committed to "empowering women" and creating "sustainable economic opportunities for the women of Northern Thailand." Puttachard who is Thai, and her American husband, Todd Berry, employ hundreds of knitters (women only) who are able to knit at home on their own time. Tel: 877-245-6487 E-Mail: todji55@hotmail.com
PAW PARAZZI A division of Noodle Head, this line of accessories, gift items, toys is based around the tongue-in-cheek concept of "little pets living big lives." Designer: Amy Ryan Ages: 6-12 Wholesale: $7.50-$14.50 Standouts: The Paw Parazzi Celebrity Style Sets which include a pet, purse, leash, collar, blanket, name charm, and mini Paw Parazzi Magazine.
FYI: The designer is a wife and sister-in-law of Noodle Head's co-founders (brothers Eric and Chris Ryan). Paw Parazzi is meant to be "silly and over the top": it's a fun take on the much photographed celebrities who take their dogs everyplace (dare I say Paris Hilton, Nicole Richie, etc?) Tel: 509-892-7311 E-Mail: chris@noodleheadfun.com
DOLCA An entire collection of accessories, coordinates, home furnishings, shoes, tops, tops/t's featuring the expressive, colorful, whimsical, optimistic, artwork of Dulce Quesada Magro Designer: Dulce Quesada Magro Size: Preemie, Layette, Infant, Toddler Wholesale: $10-$250 (the highest price for a rug) Standouts: The shoes designed for Garvalini, the biggest shoe brand in Spain, which is known for quality, comfort, and beauty.
FYI: Dolce is a talented, multi media artist from Elche, Spain; her artwork has been exhibited in Europe and Asia. She considers her clothing to be 'art to wear'‚ many of her T-shirts and coordinates are also available in women's sizes Tel: 813-231-8561 E-Mail: dolcaproducts@yahoo.com
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