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Fall/Winter 2011 Children's Club: The 'Ideas' of March - The 'gifts' that just keep giving (gift oriented and gift themed lines and products; toys; home accessories; artwork, etc.) It's not just the Ides of March, but the 'ideas' of March, where the March ENK Children's Club (March 6-8, 2011) is concerned. Indeed, it's not just about products and items that look good, but that have a good idea behind them. As I covered the trade show, in search of the best of the best for infants to tweens, in the 'accessory' arena, I kept thinking about the 'BIG' idea behind the line, the product, or in the best cases, both! These are some of the ones that stood out this time around.
A line of naturally hypoallergenic plush toys and accessories Designers: Susan Pate, Chloe Pate Wholesale: $4.50 - $50 Sizes: Newborn - 5 (and growing) What's the BIG idea? Everything is beautifully packaged and perfectly 'gift ready' which means no wrapping and nothing extra required; they are constantly expanding their line, have just added a nursery collection (room décor), and they plan to expand the line to include products for older kids.
Standout: Picnic Pal Beanies and Booties
Standout: The daisy mats.
Standout: The apple pillows.
Tel: 415-928-4400 E-mail: orders@applepark.com
Newborn keepsake gifts Designer: Eda Topur Wholesale: $14.50 Sizes: 0 - 6 months, 6 - 12 months What's the BIG idea? A festive collection of newborn keepsake gifts packaged in 'Champagne' Bottles. It is the brainchild of Eda Topur, (who launched Edoche in 2004), and every season, she adds new products and designs to this ever expanding line.
Standout: The 3-Piece Keepsake Gift Set. Standout: The brand new bubble gum machines which contain 5 pairs of terry socks sized up to 12 months.
Tel: (Refer to Lynn Meyer) 212-947-5522; 800-989-9499 E-mail: info@babychampagne.com
Unique baby gifts Wholesale: $3.50 - $25 Ages: Newborn - 24 months What's the BIG idea? This company has long been a one-stop shopping destination for anyone searching for that unique and fabulously eye-catching, gift ready, packaged gift; each season, they 'up' the ante, expanding their extensive table of wildly popular items by adding new colors, new styles, and new product lines. Thankfully, keeping it 'elegantly affordable' is also a high priority.
Standout: The super soft and super comfy "My First Pair of Jeans" (available from 3 - 12 months, these baby's first jeans look just like mommy's and daddy's and come in a keepsake box that can be personalized).
Standout: The Cuddly Crew micro plush nap and play sets: a perfect gift as the cuddly stuffed animals wrap their arms around a micro plush blanket, keeping it in place and making it immediately 'gift' ready.
Standout: The ever expanding 100% organic cotton gift packaged and boxed socks (they come in a range of whimsical, adorable styles, for both little boys and girls, and are available as singles, or as a 6-pack).
Standout: The new Evolve Bottle System (an eco friendly plastic bottle that comes with 3 interchangeable tops, which can be used for three stages of life (from infant, to kids three and up).
Tel: (Refer to Janis Millstein) 212 239 4660 E-mail: janisales@aol.com jamesgirone.com/janismillsteinsales
Report cards for parents Wholesale: $5.35 What's the BIG idea? A new product from Holland, developed with the help of child psychologists, literally 'turns the tables' on the grownups, by allowing kids to do the 'rating' of their parents, grandparents, and even teachers; it also stimulates the communication between child and grownup in a positive way. Standout: The assorted color coded report card books complete with 'reward' stickers. Lolligo Showroom Tel: 347-394-3151 E-mail: info@lolligo.com
Dutch designed line of recycled cardboard toys & gifts Wholesale: $8 - $29 Ages: 3 and up What's the BIG idea? The brilliant idea behind this line, which allows children to tap into their creativity and build things themselves, landed them in Time Magazine's Green Style and Design Top 100 from around the globe.
Standout: The 'Totem Birds on a Tree" 3-D tree house.
Lolligo Showroom Tel: 347-394-3151 E-mail: info@lolligo.com
Plush baby blankets Wholesale: Contact the company Sizes: Newborn and up What's the Big idea? A collection of top quality, CPSIA compliant baby blankets, burp cloths, and satin security blankets that are so chic and luxurious (exotic cheetah, giraffe, snow leopard, zebra prints are their signatures), it's no wonder the adult sized throws have become instant favorites with fashion forward adults (including celebrities such as Jennifer Lopez and Nicole Kidman). Standout: Just when you thought there were no other ways to do cheetah and leopard prints, has found a way to recolor - hence, the irresistible pink snow leopard blanket.
Tel: (Refer to Lola Jo Sales Group) 212-564-1756 E-mail: laurie@lolajosales.com
Handmade dolls Designer: Jennifer Vallez Wholesale: $28 What's the BIG idea? This is a brand new line of huggable, whimsical, washable, 'back-to-basics' 100% cotton dolls (6 in total), which are conceived of in the studio of artist Jennifer Vallez. Each has her own distinct look and personality, each one has a completely different, contrasting printed back, and each one comes with her name and 'story' attached on a little card. They are the perfect playmate and companion.
Standout: 'Olive', with her bright green dress and multi colored heart printed back.
Lolligo Showroom Tel: 347-394-3151 E-mail: info@lolligo.com
Eco friendly, art inspired lifestyle products for all ages Designers: Olivia Haviland; Freddy Dean Wholesale: $16 - $50 Ages: Newborn and up What's the BIG idea? Well…making everyone smile, of course! In addition, the eco friendly coordinated collection of whimsical plates, bowls, placemats, books, artwork, and apparel, is a true marriage made in heaven: it's the result of an inspired collaboration that mixes Olivia Haviland's knowledge of fine porcelain (she is a direct descendent of the famed Limoges family in France), and hubby Freddy Dean's whimsical artwork and stories. Standout: The one-piece and two-piece organic cotton yoga sets (printed with Mr. Dean's illustrations of bears, dogs, cats,) sized for 3 months to 4T.
Standout: The organic cotton pillows printed with zebras, elephants, alligators, camels, cats, and dogs, featuring Mr. Dean's original artwork.
Standout: The brightly colored recycled plastic plates and bowls printed with whales, butterflies, mermaids, etc., and inspirations 'slogans'.
Tel: 310-302-0080 E-mail: sales@smilingplanet.net Karen Alweil Studio 213.746.5363
Hip, modern, removable wall decals Designer: Allison Krongard Wholesale: $6.50 - $12 Ages: Newborn to adult What's the BIG idea? Well…finally! It's not about 'patent pending' anymore. After approximately 4 years, Ms. Krongard has finally received the official 'patent' for the original idea behind her line of removable, peel and stick wall decals. And to 'celebrate', she has added a few new styles (see below). Standout: The colorful and very happy 'Happy Flower'. Standout: The very yummy Ice Cream Cone chalkboard.
Standout: The whimsical 'Rush Hour'.
Tel: 888-527-0521 E-mail: hello@wallcandyarts.com
Whimsical hooded towels Designer: Wendy Carter Wholesale: $7 - $18.50 Ages: 2 - 10 What's the BIG idea? A collection of high quality, 100% cotton hooded towels that are guaranteed not to shrink, fade, and bleed, and are so irresistible and adorable, they will make "leaving the water as fun as getting in". Each season, Ms. Carter adds at least one new character.
Standout: The brand new line of bibs.
Standout: New hooded towels.
Standout: The new flower and snake hooded towels.
Tel: 540-659-9695 E-mail: yikestwins@gmail.com
Seen at the March 2011 ENK Children's Club; Originally published March 18, 2011
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