Skepticism
turned to delight when Mathieu Simard's mother
offered him and his wife a necklace for their
newborn made of hazel wood beads that supposedly
helped to soothe teething babies. The necklace
quieted their infant's distress, and an idea for a
product was born: Healing
Hazel,
a collection of hazel wood necklaces and bracelets
for infants through adult sizes. The delicate beads
(worn by Miranda Kerr's baby Flynn on the cover of
Who magazine), which work by neutralizing saliva
acidity that causes toothaches and helps to soothe
rashes and flushed cheeks, come in two sizes for
infant and toddler (approximately $9.45-$13
wholesale), and have met all standards for safety.
Visit healinghazel.com.
TB
Hanssop,
the Dutch line specializing in children's underwear
and nightwear (made of the softest cotton), just
added bigger sizes to their collection, and are now
sized from 2 to 16. They have also expanded on
styles, colors and patterns, with some delightful
results, such as the horse printed 2-piece pajama,
($35 wholesale, sized 0-3 and up to 24 months).
Visit lolligo.com.
MK
Milla
Reese'sNancy
Pozo is definitely 'thinking' wide this season with
her wide (2-inch) stretch bands offered in an array
of colors including gold and silver lurex); they
are lavishly embellished with tiny studded hearts,
stars, crowns, lollipops, and cupcakes ($7
wholesale, sized for infants and toddlers).
MK
Melissa
Karetsky loves graphic stripes and always uses them
for MJK
Knits.
This season is no exception and I was immediately
drawn to the motif hats ($18 wholesale), adorned
with anchors, flowers, cherries, teddy bears, and
hearts, as well as her festive birthday sweaters
with stars, $42 wholesale (sizes infant-10).
MK
Girl
Nation,
a brand new division of The
Piggy Story,
made its debut at Children's Club. The stylish,
sophisticated, chic, completely versatile, and
functional line of bags (phone purse, IPad, laptop,
and tote) in embossed patent pvc, is geared for
style conscious tweens and fills a much needed gap.
Solid colors (electro pink, blue, green, and black,
piped with white), sleek simple shapes, hidden
handles, define the aesthetic ($14-$18 wholesale).
MK
Kushies'
cotton terry tiny polka dot burp and bib sets (4
colors, $7.50 wholesale).
MK
Among
the always thoughtful and completely unique
selection at Tree
by Kerri Lee:
The wonderful animal clocks (owl, elephant, turtle,
bunny, bear, monkey), all made of solid wood,
eco-friendly, and made locally in the USA
(actually, Long Eddy, New York).
MK
The grass is greener at 7
A.M. Enfant,
where Rebecca Campora layers her impossibly
functional and ultra-chic Le Sac Igloo ($55-$75
wholesale), WarMMuffs ($19), and Roma Bag ($39-$49
) in army green, to great effect. MK
Shelley Foster describes her Silly
Souls'
offerings as "always funny, goofy, and cute",
and this season, the Tax Credit, Mom, and Future
President one-pieces, and the adorable matching
beanie hats and bibs, all in washable 100% cotton,
certainly fit that bill. MK
Jannuzzi's
sunhats
appliqued with an alligator, whale, sailboat ($8.50
wholesale). MK
Confetti
& Friends'neon
colored sparkly bracelets, $3 wholesale; brand new
Face Paint (available in 5 colors, $1.75
wholesale); Camp Band Aids (12 patterns, $1.25);
Mosquito Repellent Stickers (which are great for
clothes,
$1.25)
FALL/WINTER
2012 SPONSOR FASHION PREVIEWS & BEST
SELLERS
An
oversized hit at New York's Duo
Showroom
is this funky boy's getup from La
Miniatura,
says Robin Wilcher. The designers cast a spell on
buyers with the Voodoo sweater ($48 wholesale),
that updates the popular skull motif; Ministripe
Tee ($18); and skinny Corduroy Pant ($28). The
Nylon Varsity Jacket ($68) adds a touch of jock
appeal (fits 2 to 14 years). For more information,
call 212-354-2371, or visit duokids.com.
The
Aurora Tank Dress, from Tea
Collection's
Fall 2012 line, has buyers seeing stars. The item
(2T to 12 years, $19 wholesale), with its wild
swirls of color, exposed back zipper and feminine
pleating, is based on the Aurora Borealis. Pairing
the dress with the soft, long sleeve Purity Tee
($12.50) and Cozy Rob Knit Legging ($12) makes for
a heavenly combination. (Tee and leggings fit 12
months to 12 years). For more information, call
617-733-9183, or visit www.teacollection.com.
Jennifer
Connaughton at Ferd
says buyers are responding to her Fall 2012
collection's "urban meets suburban chic" theme. A
Nehru-collared Shirt in chunky plaid ($37
wholesale) lends a casual note to the elegant
two-tone Crew Neck Sweater ($44) and Slim Leg Wool
Trousers ($44). Garments fit 12 months to 8 years.
For more information, call 609-799-8448, or visit
ferdkids.com.
Buyers
of the Fall 2012 organic Go
Gently Baby
collection insist on comfort, modern shapes, and a
touch of nostalgia. They've found all three
qualities in the boy's slouchy, ribbed Grandpa
Cardigan with river shell buttons ($23 wholesale),
worn over the "what if" tee, printed on the back
with the important question: "What if we gave more
and took less?" ($19), and the charming, elastic
waist French Terry Long John Trouser with river
shell buttons at the center front ($25). A jaunty
knit scarf ($12) finishes the look. (3 months to 6
years). For more information, call 310-980-1104, or
visit gogentlybaby.com.
Even
buyers heavily into tutus are writing orders for
Sofi's
irreverent hi bye, hi low T-shirt (6 months to 16
years, $14-$16 wholesale), reports Nancy Markert of
the Nancy
Markert Showroom.
The message is just cheeky enough, and who doesn't
love basic black? And to cover bikinis at the pool,
buyers favor Family
Ties'
ultra soft robe, available in several colors and
trims (2 to 12 years, $25 and $30). For more
information, call 201-768-8334, or visit
nancymarkert.com.
A
sweet treat for buyers of Cupcakes
&
Pastries'Fall
2012 collection is the Square Bib dress with
contrast pom-pom details. The cotton, lined garment
covers all the season's themes with a rich
wallpaper print, bib detail, and easy-to-move-in
shape. (12 months to 12 years, $30-$32 wholesale)
For more information, call 213-769-8272, or visit
cupcakesandpastries.com.
Buyers
shopping the Holiday and Fall 2012 Busy
Beesand
Miss
b
lines, found the traditional looks with modern
touches this company is known for. In the Holiday
collection, the versatile, fully lined plaid pants
for boys (2 to 12 years, $34 wholesale) got buyers'
thumbs up, as did the Miss b's Pomegranate Satin
dress (7 to 16 years, $52) in a complexion
flattering shade and narrow shape. Fall buyers
favored the Daisy Drawstring dress (7 to 16 years,
$36), as much for its casual silhouette and
drawstring detail, as its luxurious fabrication
that feels like fleece inside. For more
information, call 917-796-9771, or visit
busybees-kids.com.
A
Zutano
Fall 2012 'best seller': the Cozie Shaggy Hat.
"It's a warm superstar in our winter line up," says
designer Uli Belenky. "The adorable bomber styles
(worn with the fleece Cozie, Scrapyard Tee and
Candy Stripe Leggings) make a fun winter look, and
the sherpa fleece outside and shaggy faux fur that
lines the ear flaps and brim keep baby's head warm
all winter." The must-have gift piece, available in
several bright tones, fits 6 months to 4T, $12
wholesale. For more information, call
800-287-5139,
or visit zutano.com.
For
the girl that lives in jeans and tees,
Hudson
Threads'dresses
for Fall 2012 can be game changers. The designers
employ soft Jersey that drapes beautifully and is
easy to move in. The colors are trendy and, when
the designers use a print, it packs a punch.
The Kendall Dress ($33 wholesale) offers pleat
detail for feminine neckline and commands attention
with a bold graphic print. Vibrant tones enhance
the color-blocking and fitted top of the Adrienne
Dress ($32). Fits 4 to 16 years. For more
information, call 914-481-1113, or visit
hudsonthreads.com.
Joy Cha of
Lemon
Loves Lime and
Gnu
Brand, known for
innovative appliques, anything-but-demure use of
color, and a fresh way with ruffles, gave buyers a
whole lot of love for Fall 2012. They're loving her
back with orders for the ruffle-edged, multi-tiered
Rose Fairy Dress (2 to 10 years, $32 wholesale)
worn with the brilliant blue cotton cardigan and
hat, each strewn with hand-knit flowers (3 months
to 4 years, $42). The boy's Gnu Brand buyer favored
the Black Bear Tee (2 to 8 years, $19.50) for its
vibrant tones and embroidered French Terry animal.
For more information, call 630-260-7885, or visit
lemonloveslime.com
and gnubrand.com.
Rachel
Roy teams royal with emerald for a chic
monochromatic look.
No extraneous details on Liho's
Tanja dress, just fabulous shape and color.
(Liho
USA)
Anna Sui colors a sweet ditsy print dress in
charcoal, teal and mustard.
Velvet softens teal and greened-toned mustard at
Burberry.
Hot off the game-changing runway at the Vogue
Bambini/PetiteParade
show: K16's
collection: a trio of tones equal magic on the
runway.
Women's
and menswear designers dive into rich, warm plum
and red tones, building depth through monochromatic
pairings and sometimes spiking the looks with hot
orange. Think of a Mark Rothko painting.
Charlotte Ronson heats up the runway in a mix of
warm tones.
Lush plum velvets spiked with mustard from Daniele
Allessandrini.
Masala
Baby's
fusion fashion: warm tones, Ikat print and an
unusual tulle-trimmed hemline.
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FALL/WINTER
2012 TINA BARRY EDITOR'S PICKS FROM THE
SHOWS
SOMAA
KIDS Newcomer Angela Amos introduced girls'
sportswear that blends a playful spirit with an eye
for easy, elegant pieces. The tops, skirts, and
dresses, in a mix of soft denim, plaid and wool,
have a western mood, in keeping with the designer's
concept: girl's love to play dress-up, so each
season she'll offer pieces that reflect a different
theatrical event. My guess for Fall 2012: "Annie
Get Your Gun."
Outstanding Pieces: A denim top and flounced skirt:
Who knew a work shirt could look this chic? Sizes:
2T to 6X; Wholesale prices: $18-$35; Tel:
212-470-0149;
somaakids.com.
REDFISH
KIDS Designer Lorraine Kitsos wants children to have
the courage to express their individuality. She
helps them along with a collection of black, gray
and white pieces that can be mixed and matched and
brightened with a saturated tee or accessory. Her
shapes are loose and easy, sometimes with a
flattering obi-style sash to draw attention to the
waist.
Outstanding Piece: Drawing on the inherent drama of
wide black and white stripes, Kitsos cuts a dress
with a pretty bodice, an obi and wide skirt for
dancing. Sizes: 3 months to 14 years; Wholesale
prices: $7- $68; Tel:
800-862-2608;
redfishkidsclothing.com.
RED
WAGON BABY Designer Afton Farley
waves the flag in a collection of tees, skirts and
leggings in stars and stripes. Burn-out and a
palette of mauve, gray and black add interest.
Outstanding Pieces: Take stars and stripes out of
the nautical, red and navy combination and you have
a look that's utterly original and so much fun!
Sizes: 6 months to 6 years; Wholesale prices:
$13-$18; Yoka
Showroom; Tel:
212-594-7714; redwagonbaby.com.
