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Children's Club Spring 2007: What Babes! It's getting harder to spot newcomers at the ENK Children's Club Show (Jacob Javits Center, October 15-17, 2006). Why? Their debuting collections are as carefully crafted and well merchandised as long-standing companies. You'll see what I mean when you meet the indie designers below.
LAYETTE CLASSIC DISNEY COLLECTION Icky Products DESIGNER: Kate Somerset Sizes: NB-24 months; Wholesale prices: $7.50-$28 Somerset, who you may know from her line Icky Baby, is the designer behind the new Classic Disney Collection. She uses the company's themes subtly so the items lack that theme park tackiness. The line is cute - even sophisticated.
Outstanding pieces: Would you think Bambi if you didn't know this fawn printed Jersey shirt was tied to Disney? Tel: 714-424-9940 E-mail: eclare@icky.com
KNITWEAR LITTLE MCNEAL BY LILY MCNEAL DESIGNER: Anna Bartholmehew Sizes: 6 months to 4T; Wholesale prices: $13-$42 The deep tones of McNeal's "Goodnight Moon" collection of knitwear are reminiscent of the moody shades found in that classic children's book.
Outstanding pieces: McNeal chooses a palette of deep neutrals and an energizing shot of Kelly green to color her 11-piece collection. Easy shapes and simple stripes mean the line mixes and matches effortlessly. A.B. Spoon Showroom Tel: 213 688-9500 E-mail: bytriz@aol.com
BOYS' COLLECTION RECCO S DESIGNER: Mary Landaverde Sizes: 6 months to 7 years; Wholesale prices: $17.50-$30 Landaverde's collection employs emblems, crests and smoky colors inspired by World Cup Soccer. Simple shapes and lots of hip details make the line a winner.
Outstanding pieces: From a distance, this butter-soft hoodie resembles a preppie cardigan. Close up, the diamonds give way to lots of stitching and cool, faded hand prints. It's an amusing way of straddling classic looks with contemporary styling. Tel: 312 994-2314 E-mail: mlandaverde@reccosstyle.com
SPORTSWEAR DINO E LUCIA DESIGNER: Sieglinde de Plas Sizes: 4-16; Wholesale prices: Contact manufacturer This is an auspicious beginning for de Plas's first collection in the States. She utilizes a palette of rich navy, white and dusty pastels to fashion a line that blends urban sophistication with a touch of the French countryside.
Outstanding pieces: This ethereal sundress mixes a rustic textile at the bodice with a silky topaz tiered skirt. It's right out of Paris - or Provence. Tel: 33.14.23.60.700 E-mail: annelaure@dinoelucia.fr
KAIYA EVE COUTURE DESIGNER: Kandi Lightner Sizes: 6 months to 6 years; Wholesale prices: $18-$40 Lightner's first collection is one big candy shop of a line.
Outstanding pieces: The collection is based on a long, very soft tutu made of nylon chiffon. Paired with a tee and boots the versatile item can look sweetly funky, or, a girl can tune into her femininity by teaming the piece with a delicate sweater and Mary Janes. Tel: 310-968-0408 E-mail: kaiyaeve@aol.com
LOLA ET MOI DESIGNER: Rania Tohme Sizes: 6 months to 14; Wholesale prices: $3-$71 If an imaginative child designed a collection of fantasy clothing it would look just like Rania Tohme's wildly creative pieces. In Tohme Land lady bugs, tea cups, fish and inch worms frolic over the candy colored garments, tiny floral prints are a staple and ruffles rule.
Outstanding pieces: The smiling doll face on the tee is the company's fitting logo. The multi-ruffled, flowered and tulle "Mille Feuille" skirt is like one big wedding cake - a delicious couture cake, of course. Tel: 310-666-2922 E-mail: sherine@lolaetmoi.com
MOPPIT CLOTHING DESIGNERS: Jennie Moon and Melissa Robbins Sizes: NB to 8 years; Wholesale prices: $17-$36 Lots of ingenious detail can be found in Moon's and Robbins' tiny collection of separates with a rock 'n' roll edge.
Outstanding pieces: Oh, meow baby. This little denim mini with the kitten face is pure catnip. Tel: 61.39.48.27.130 212-228-9514 (New York) E-mail: sales@moppit.com.au
RACHEL RILEY DESIGNER: Rachel Riley Sizes: infants to 14; Wholesale prices: Contact manufacturer Riley lives in a chateau on the banks of the River Loire with a view of lavender and flowers in bloom. Her first wholesale collection of better boys' and girls' wear reflect the charmed life she leads.
Outstanding pieces: Riley's love of nature is evident in this tomato colored polo sweater and vivid, fish-printed skirt. Tel: 212-534-7477 E-mail: diane@rachelriley.com
RANDOM NICOLE DESIGNER: Nicole Stevenson Sizes: 2-12; Wholesale prices: $21-$31 "Random means being inspired by everything and getting to fulfill every whim," says Stevenson. That's why her one-of-a-kind collection of separates sports squirrels, cars, and daisies - an entire fantasy life.
Outstanding pieces: Welcome to Stevenson's Garden of Eden. Nice place to visit. Yes? Email: nicole@randomnicole.com Paperdoll Style Showroom Tel: 213-629-9874
TATTOOI DESIGNER: Erica Janke Sizes: 4 to 7 years; Wholesale prices: $11-$44.50 Not to be too clichéd, but everything old is new again. That tired chestnut applies to Janke (she isn't old by the way) who stepped away from the industry for a couple of seasons to do the mom thing and has reentered the market with this "Geek Chic" collection.
Outstanding pieces: The audio visual nerds from my junior high would have flipped for the soft plaid Bermuda shorts and "matching" print shirt. The only thing missing is the plastic pocket protector. Tel: 512-301-1775 E-mail: Erica@tattooi.com
DRESSES FRANCES WOOD DESIGNERS: Mercedes de Sanchez Elia Sizes: NB-12 years; Wholesale prices: $32-$72 Wood offers enough smocked bodices to make a die-hard classicist smile then balances the collection with unusually sophisticated colors and ingenious shapes.
Outstanding piece: The dusty lilac and lovely embroidered iris atop the smocked bodice makes this dresses especially elegant. Love the curved back panel on this Provençal paisley, too. Tel: 917-376-5365 E-mail: info@frances-wood.com
K-KIDS DESIGNER: Marta Rivera Vega Sizes: 3 months to 4 years; Wholesale prices: $20-$30 Rivera Vega is a traditionalist with a twist. Her beautifully made dresses channel the prim and proper with looser versions of the look, too.
Outstanding pieces: This little charmer is as light as a summer breeze and just as refreshing. It's feminine with zero fuss. Tel: 202-812-9648 E-mail: marta@k-kidshop.com
T-SHIRTS B-SQUARED DESIGNER: Jeanine Nguyen Sizes: 3 to 24 months; Wholesale prices: $15-$22 Nguyen uses French terry cloth and cotton Jersey to fashion a line of made-to-play-in sportswear. Touches like hand-stitching, unfinished seams and one-of-a-kind appliqués give the line an upmarket appeal.
Outstanding pieces: The T-shirt says it all. Tel: 714-390-4474 E-mail: jtn1849@aol.com
Originally published November 5, 2006
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