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ABC Kids Expo 2008: What's New in Wearables - Part I When I made my first visit to ABC Kids Expo two years ago, the booths were spread out over one enormous floor. The focus of the show was and continues to be kids' products - gadgets, diaper gear, strollers, and all styles of furniture, with a handful of apparel collections. At this year's show (held September 11-17, 2008), with over 1,200 exhibitors, I was surprised to see a large number of apparel designers. Some manufacturers launched collections, others exhibited to meet retailers who they may not encounter at apparel-focused trade shows. Also new was "Naturally Kids," a showcase of "organic, natural and sustainable" items in all categories. While manufacturers touted their use of organic materials to construct their goods, a strong selling point has become a focus on employing recycled materials in packaging and shipping to help lessen waste.
LAYETTE COLLECTIONS GLAMAJAMA Homebase: Kyle, TX DESIGNER: Heather Nolte Sizes: Girls and Boys 3 to 24 months; Wholesale prices: $14-$20 Glamajama goes edgy, yet sweet with this nailhead Scottie dog one-piece with a thick red ruffle on the rear.
The Koi glows on the two-piece set for boys.
Tel: 512-275-6285 / 877.884.9769 E-mail: Customerservice@glamajama.com
MOONCAKES Homebase: Coral Gables, FL DESIGNER: Mary Morrison Sizes: Girls and Boys NB to 12 months; Wholesale price for outfit shown: $16.50 This season Morrison is seeing dots. Lots of dots. The kimono set goes to grandma's with a flattering wrapped shape and touches of Morrison's trademark satin trim.
Tel: 786-552-1311 / 800-771-1617 E-mail: Mary@moon-cakes.com
BIOBABY Homebase: Los Angeles, CA DESIGNER: Lavinia Sizes: Girls and Boys NB to 24 months; Wholesale prices: $8-$31, six-piece gift sets $60 Lavinia, designer of the successful Momzee collection of upscale maternity wear, has launched Biobaby, an organic cotton line colored with vegetable-based dyes that yields one hundred percent pure, organic fabric. Styles for girls are simple and feminine; boys are sporty and streamlined. The entire collection is served up in a milkshake of delectable shades such as banana, peach, blueberry, strawberry and mint.
Tel: 323-264-6080 / 877-833-6080 E-mail: Carolyn@momzee.com
INFANT AND UP: LUNCHBOX Homebase: Studio City, CA DESIGNER: Liz Woodruff Sizes: Wholesale prices: Tees and T-shirt dresses $18-$19 To their collection of retro inspired girls' and boys' sportswear, Woodruff has added T-shirts and tee dresses with a strong 70's vibe.
Tel: 818-508-4299 E-mail: David@lunchboxgoods.com
BRUZ WEAR Homebase: Centennial, CO DESIGNER: Kathryn Ames Sizes: Girls and Boys 9 months to 6 years; Wholesale prices: $19.50-$22 Ames launched her collection of pants with padded knees to afford her infant son "the protection he needed while not compromising his sense of style." Available in three styles: crawling, stumbling and cruising, the bottoms come in three rich colors and feature contrasting padding.
Tel: 303-522-5101 E-mail: Kathryn@bruzwear.com
GOODNITE MOON Homebase: San Rafael, CA DESIGNER: Deb Millard Sizes: Girls and Boys 3 months to 4T; Wholesale prices: $6-$48 Millard launched a collection of Pima cotton sportswear in modern shapes. Her color palette ranges from sweet pastels to brighter toned solids; prints are naïve or bold. Thoughtful planning went into the mix-and-match options.
Tel: 415-482-6678 E-mail: Info@goodnitemoonkids.com
HOPSCOTCH DESIGNS Homebase: La Mesa, CA DESIGNERS: Michele Briggs and Jennifer Williams Sizes: Girls and Boys 12 months to 7T; Wholesale prices: $19-$45.99 The designers combine a love for vintage fabrics with "a passion for all things fun and funky." The result is fanciful designs with eye-popping prints and retro bowling shirts like the "Martini."
Tel: 619-884-2222 E-mail: Info@hopscotchdesigns.com
JASPER HEARTS WREN Homebase: Oakland, CA DESIGNER: Lisa Schwartz and Heather Jennings Sizes: Girls and Boys 3 months to 6T; Wholesale prices: $8-$30 There's a strong, handcrafted feeling to the designers' just launched sportswear collection. A women's cooperative employs recycled cotton, felt and plastic to handcraft the tees, jumpers and hoodies. The colors are rich and the motifs lend charm.
Tel: 510.450.0343 E-mail: Wholesale@jasperheartswren.com
KICKY PANTS Homebase: Los Angeles, CA DESIGNER: Erin Cloke Sizes: Girls and Boys NB to 4T; Wholesale prices: $8-$25 It's a lucky little one who gets to wear Kicky Pants bamboo garments. The yarns used to develop the items possess all sorts of eco-friendly qualities: They're grown without pesticides or herbicides, have a natural wicking ability so baby stays warm and dry. What bamboo does best though is knit up into the supplest, silkiest cloth imaginable. The hoodie looks sharp over the jazzy polo shirt.
Tel: 310-492-5707 E-mail: Wholesale@kickypants.com
Originally published November 2, 2008
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