Reporter's Notebook is a regular feature to keep retailers and buyers up to date with our sponsors' news. So if a designer is adding a collection, moved their offices, added a new sales rep or even a new baby, you'll know.

APPAREL:

Designer Michele Brule made an notable entrance into the kidswear market at the July ENK Children's Club show with her lovely new collection ENCHANTED ENFANT COUTURE. Her debut was so impressive in fact, that she's been selected to participate in the fashion industry's premier charitable event, the "7th On Sale Gala and Auction" to be held on November 15th in New York City. This year's theme: 16th Century Opulence. Brule's fairytale like dresses fit right in. The benefit's proceeds go to the fight against HIV and AIDS. Visit enchantedenfant.com.

A sincere Happy Birthday to Heather Nolte, owner/designer of GLAMAJAMA. The company turned four in June 2007. To celebrate, Nolte has completely updated her website. Visit glamajama.com.

HEIR clothing has launched the environmentally conscience Heir Goes Green for Baby line. President Zna Houston is recycling printed scraps from her colorful separates collection and appliquéing the bright goods onto bibs, blankets, one-pieces, tops and bottoms. The bodies of the year-round line will remain white to save the earth from dye run off. A portion of the company's net proceeds will benefit the Diamond Empowerment Fund (D.E.F.), an international, nonprofit organization with a mission to raise money for educational programs in Africa. On October 14, 2007, the company will host the "HEIR Street Fair and Fashion Show" in downtown Los Angeles's Washington Boulevard. The mission, says Houston, "is to showcase the East Washington Boulevard corridor as a viable business opportunity for further development." Houston envisions the area as the next Meat Packing district, a newly trendy neighborhood in New York City. Profits from the day's events will benefit SAGE, a Crystal Stairs before and after child care center in LA, as well as two downtown Los Angeles homeless shelters: Midnight Mission and Union Rescue Mission. For more information about the company's products, call 310-702-7175, or visit heirapparel.com. For questions concerning the Street Fair, sponsorship and vendor inquiries, call 310-988-9184.

At the July ENK Children's Club Show, designer Adrienne Catrina of NEIGE introduced Neige Signature. The collection of clean lined separates features cotton/modal knits, fine cotton and washable cotton/linen blends. For more information, contact Marni Sugden through neigeclothing.com.

After TEA'S creative director Emily Meyers debuted Daily Tea, the mix-and-match collection of cotton separates last April, retailers asked for just one change: make 'em bigger. Formerly available for ages six to 24 months, the new "kiddo" sizes will fit ages three to five years. "Daily Tea addresses the needs of a child on the move with very affordable, yet high quality pieces," says Meyer. Items begin at $14 retail; parents can create nine outfits with six pieces at approximately $100. The new sizes will be available for September delivery. In addition, Tea is partnering with TINY PRINTS, INC., a company specializing in premium, personalized, social stationery. The co-branded product will present Daily Tea's patterns in a colorful assortment of stationery. The paper line will be featured on the Tea Collection website and in the company's catalogs. On the Tiny Prints website (www.tinyprints.com), customers can preview and personalize the cards. "We are very excited to be working with Tiny Prints on our co-branded collection of stationery for modern parents," says Leigh Rawdon, founder and CEO of Tea Collection. "The stationery extends our global perspective beyond children's clothing into lifestyle products." The companies will donate a portion of proceeds from their Tea*nie Tiny Treasures gift set to the Global Fund for Children (globalfundforchildren.org), an organization dedicated to advancing the dignity of children around the world. For more info, contact Krista Reinhard at 415-621-9400 ext. 100, or e-mail her at Krista@teacollection.com. Visit Tea at teacollection.com.

YOSI GIRLS, a line of luggage, totes, backpacks, belts and identity tags, just debuted their latest collection at the Los Angeles Gift Show. Jules Sherman, the company's president, says the line received "a fantastic reception." Sherman's newest belt designs, as well as her bags and totes, can be viewed on line at yosifapenina.com, and yosigirls.com. Sherman is thrilled that items from her line were included in the August Style section of the Santa Barbara News.

A touch of the Orient informs "Mandarin Bloom," designer Uli Belenky's latest creation for ZUTANO. The pattern, lush with blossoms, is colored in rich fuchsia, pool, orange and white on a soft pink ground. To coordinate with the ethereal design, Belenky's Spring and Summer 2008 separates include solid colored velour and Cozie fleece garments in solids and stripes. Due to retailer demand, the Toddler Basics line is now available in sizes 2T to four. The versatile pieces are available in printed and solid Interlock, fleece Cozie and velour. New bodies include the short-sleeved Henley dress, "Viola" top, cargo short and drawstring pants in a range of hues, prints and stripes. Take a peek at the latest looks at zutano.com.

ACCESSORIES:

Jamie Wells of JAMIE RAE HATS is anticipating the launch of "Seedling Sets." The one-pieces with coordinating floral-festooned hats sport fresh-from-the-garden names such as "Darling Daisy," "Precious Peony," "Happy Hydrangea" and "Radiant Rose." To view the new designs, log onto jamieraehats.com.

Heather Queiroz of OH! FIVE is saying Oh! Yeah! to lots of publicity. Baby Couture magazine featured the company's high-end shoes in their spring and summer issues. In June, Hudson's magazine included the footwear in their pages, and ABC's "View From the Bay" featured styles in a fashion segment. Other publications should take note: Oh! Five has just introduced two new camera-ready designs: The all-leather Scalloped Baby Jane with soft soles and a rubber outersole is available in pink, chocolate, white and cream (fits sizes 2 through 6.5, $17). For a little bling, the footwear can be ordered in metallic gold or silver (fit sizes 2 through 6.5, $18). Visit oh-five.com.

Natasha Levin of MICRO ME rocked the LA Gift Show with her Spring 2008 collection of funky burnout T-shirts. The top seller: the "I Love Rock-n-Roll" tee. In addition to her music inspired tops, Levin offers camp shirts for boys, and dresses, skirts and board shorts for their sisters. To see her collection, log onto microclothing.com.

Is blue and orange the new black and white? When Melissa Karetsky's hoodie in that chic color combination appeared in the August issue of Town & Country magazine, it "created a lot of excitement," says the designer of the MJK KNITS collection. "The colors shown: light blue with an orange monogram and tie are fresh and unisex." The sweater can be ordered in several color combinations. Contact Karetsky through her website: jamesgirone.com/mjkknits.

Dutch-based MP SOCKS & TIGHTS has found an easy and attractive way for retailers to present their legwear. The company now offers the MP Display ($250 wholesale). The handy rack resembles a modern Christmas tree with four "branches" to hang the goods. For more information, contact Jacques Wurms at 954-423-1166 or through jamesgirone.com/mp

Congratulations to Denise Goldman, the co-founder of the stylish diaper case company MY ROYAL HEINIE. Goldman is expecting her second child this month. More additions to the company is the latest denim "Rodeo" bag ($22.50), and two new black styles: "Flamingo" edged in light pink, and "Gotham" with silver grey trim. For more pricing and ordering info, log onto myroyalheinie.com/partners. My Royal Heinie has been in the spotlight with press features on WCBS-TV/New York, FOX, NBC-TV/Miami, Pregnancy & Newborn Magazine, the Miami Herald and the September issue of Pregnancy Magazine.

What's a cute outfit without the right hair accessory? To find the ideal finishing touch, the folks at PINK TRICYCLE COUTURE have introduced 12 new headband colors from hot pink to light beige, each with removable flower accents. The headbands stretch to fit infant to big girls. (Hats and accents wholesale for $6-$13.) To contact the company, call 888-479-9951, or visit pinktricycle.com.

REBECCA DENNY has redesigned her diaper and purses for fall and winter. The new items will include adjustable straps that hang over a stroller. Denny has added a removable pocket insert in the large bags, and the Mommy purse can be carried as a tote or backpack ($50-$70). The business has just received their GS1 Company Prefix Certificate, making them UPC Barcode ready to accommodate point-of-sale stores. Visit rebeccadennydesigns.com.

SPOT THE CELEBRITY:

A celebrity endorsement can mean big sales (remember the reaction to baby Shiloh Jolie-Pitt's T-shirt?). So when super model Claudia Shiffer appears on the cover of the May issue of Italian Vanity Fair holding her two sons shod in AIGLE rubber boots, well, that picture's worth a thousand words. In addition, Aigle boots were included in recent photo spreads in Marie Claire and Vogue Enfant. To contact the company, call 415-826-7000, or visit aigleboots.com.

Martin Sheen, who you know as the President on the television drama "West Wing," and roles in movies like the recent "Bobby," now has a new gig as the spokesperson for JACKSON CLAY. Sheen had a busy July with appearances on "The View," and CNN's "Showbiz Tonight" and was featured on the FOX's "The Morning Show with Mike & Juliet." Most exciting though, was Sheen's turn as celebrity spokesman at the July ENK Children's Club Show, where the thespian spent the day at the company's booth signing photos. My autographed picture is hanging in the place of honor: my office bulletin board. Visit jacksonclay.com.

Designer Rebecca Denny's Vintage Golf Bag was spotted in People magazine. New mother Elin Woods, Tiger Woods' wife, carried the stylish diaper tote from the REBECCA DENNY collection.

In August, Stacy Phillips of ZEBI BABY participated in the "Back To School" Celebrity Baby Breakfast fete. Mini-stars who welcomed the vintage-inspired giftwear included the offspring of Gwen Stefani, Gwyneth Paltrow, Jennifer Garner and Brooke Shields. To view the collection, log onto zebibaby.com.

GIFTS:

The folks at MAX DANIEL BABY, the collection of luxurious baby blanket lined with softplush and edged in satin, have introduced Hotsy Totsy Town. The blanket is available in four new color combinations: turquoise/orange, hot pink/hot pink, lilac/light pink and sage/yellow (17 x 17" security blankets at $9; 32 x 32" throws at $32). For more information, call 310-984-9905 or log onto maxdaniel.com.

STACIE DALE DESIGNS has added Asterisk a white wooden box decorated with the playful pastel colored motifs. The new boxes are available on staciedaledesigns.com/wholesale.htm. In April, Dale, who designs the hand painted, heirloom-quality, wooden keepsake boxes, was asked to join Poshtots.com, a webstore that carries fine furnishings for children. Dale is currently working on a wholesale wedding keepsake chest for the company's sister site Poshliving.com.

Heather Sievers, the designer who made "time out" less traumatic for kids with her playful TIME OUT SPOTS, will launch two new NURSERY RHYME TEASE products at the ABC Kids Expo in September. The Holiday series includes tees with coordinating books to celebrate Halloween, Valentine's Day, Christmas, Hanukkah and other special days. Her Color Me Tease is black outlined designs printed on white T-shirts. Each tee is packed with a set of 10 fabric markers and comes with a corresponding board book. Visit Sievers in booth #221, or log onto nurseryrhymetease.com for a peek.

YOU'RE HIRED!

Jamie Wells has added two new staff members to her blooming hat business: JAMIE RAE HATS. Karie Hannigan (wholesale@jamieraehats.com) is the new wholesale coordinator and Rachelle Telford (dropship@jamieraehats.com) will coordinate drop shipments.

It's been a gem of a year for Angela Taliento Apon who owns BELLE PEARL JEWELRY. Apon's three new sales representatives are Brittany Harrell at Summer Place showroom in Atlanta's America's Mart. Harrell will cover the Southeast territory. Harrell can be reached at 770-444-0776, or brittyanyharrell@summerplacereps.com. Gail Latimer and Audrey Vlock of Summer Place II in Dallas, will service the Southwest areas. Latimer can be reached at 214-402-7028; or glatimer@summerplacereps.com. Call Vlock at 214-537-9606. Renee Navarre is the sales representative for the West Coast. Call Navarre at 213-622-6640, or renee@dennisandrenee.com.

Judie Green at Diva Kidz Sales is the new sales representative for OH! FIVE shoes. Green will handle the company's sales in the Southwest and Western territories. Call Green at 866-526-6645 ext 11, or judie@divakidzsales.com.

MAX DANIEL GIFT & BABY is expanding its sales territories with the addition of six new showrooms. The line is now being represented by the following: In Los Angeles, Joanne Torres of 4 Kids on 6 in the California Market Center, 866-723-5437, josrags@aol.com; Toby Dutra of Tobi & Marji in the New England Merchandise Mart, 781-461-9031, t.dutra@verizon.net; Greg Moran of Kiddin' with Greg in the Dallas Merchandise Mart, 214-643-0100, kiddinwithgreg@aol.com; Mary Ann Garrison of the Mary Ann Garrison showroom will handle Southeast sales, 336-584-8193, MAAPG@aol.com. In Vancouver, the rep is Tisha Scoffins of T Scoffins Agency, 604-899-6000, tisha@telus.net. In Canada, the line is represented by Jill Goldblum at Jilly's Clothing Corporation, 800-563-1818, jilly2@total.net.

Sarah and Kyle Kaufman of Sarah & Company in San Francisco will be handling the sales on the West Coast for Dutch-based company MP SOCKS AND TIGHTS. Contact the Kaufman's at 415-621-9740 or e-mail sarahandcompany@earthlink.net.

Christine Crowley and Arnita Plekenpol of Hey Baby Designs will rep the stylish, lightweight wipe cases and totes from MY ROYAL HEINIE in Illinois, Wisconsin, Iowa, Michigan and Minnesota. Contact Crowley at 608-359-6191 and Plekenpol at 920-397-0187, or contact@heybabydesigns.com.

Gail Latimer of Summer Place II in the Dallas Market is now representing the charming headbands, hats and accents from PINK TRICYCLE COUTURE. To reach Latimer call 214-402-7028, or glatimer@summerplacereps.com.

The demand for a beautifully designed diaper bag keeps growing. To sate the need from customers across the country, Rebecca Denny of REBECCA DENNY DESIGNS has added three new sales representatives: In Atlanta, Hope Green of Green Associates will handle sales in the South. Contact Green at 404-688-5702, or hopegreen@mindspring.com; the California territory belongs to Gloria P. Davis of the Giftcenter & Jewelrymart. Davis can be reached at 415-437-1900, gloriapdavisinc@sbcglobal.net.

RECCO S, a boys' line inspired by World Cup Soccer (the name is soccer spelled backwards), is getting a kick out of fashion icon and soccer star David Beckham's arrival in the U.S. "Sales for our Spring 08 collections are already showing positive results!" says Mary Landaverde the company's president. Reccco S's new sales representatives are: Tracy and Edward Ross in the Forever Young Showroom in Los Angeles who will handle the West Coast and Dallas territory, 213-614-8663, info@foreveryoungkids.com; Robin Wilcher in the Duo, Inc. Showroom is overseeing East Coast sales, 212-354-2371, duonyc@aol.com; and Lisa Bowen of Tree-House Fashion will rep the line in the Midwest, 614-370-5472, lisa@treehouseoffashion.com. To reach Landaverde, call 312-994-2314 or visit reccosstyle.com.

YOSI GIRLS has hired two new sales representatives. Kori Landers of Sunshine and Kisses will oversee the collection's sales in northern California and Nevada. Contact Landers at 530-363-0505 or kori@sunshinekisses.net. Judy Niles of Niles Marketing reps the line in Upstate New York, western Massachusetts and Vermont. Niles can be reached at 518-384-0937 or nilesmarketing@aol.com. Their new distributor in the United Kingdom is Kate Sleep of Bitsnstuff. Call Sleep at 845-225-0695 or Kate@bitsnstuff.co.uk.

ZEBI BABY, the collection of vintage inspired giftwear, has added Veronica Mendez of the Portfolio showroom to their long list of sales representatives. Mendez will handle the collection in the New York and New Jersey territories. Contact her at 212-685-7377 or portvm@aol.com.

GiGi DESIGNS NZ welcomes aboard Cathryn Picker of Chalk Agency (www.chalkagency.com.au) as their representative for NSW and VIC Australia. Cathryn can be contacted at info@chalkagency.com.au.

News to share? E-mail tina@jamesgirone.com.

Back to Main Home