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 AND ACCESSORIES

BUNNY AND BEE sounds like a collection of sweet pastel items doesn't it? Don't be fooled. The new company's co-owner Jen Bright-Fathi says, "We're not about the country bunny type thing. Think more in terms of an urban bunny." According to Bright-Fathi, urban bunnies will be wearing chic T-shirts printed with the modern graphics designed by her husband, Faez Fathi. Faez designs the company's clothing and the textiles as well as their boys' collection of infant and toddler tees, thermals, hoodies, bibs and beanies called LITTLE THIEVES. The couple, who owned Fire & Theft Industries, a men's and women's boutique in the Haight section of San Francisco, also manufacture the BEE HOME COLLECTION of pillows, blankets and note cards. To contact Bright-Fathi, call 415-312-2542, or visit bunnyandbee.com; littlethieves.com.

Rock on CRIB ROCK COUTURE! The company that manufacturers hip, tees printed with fictional, baby-centric rock bands has partnered with Supima Cotton to provide its clients with the softest garments available. To meet buyers' demands, they've expanded into the teen sizes, added thermal and tissue weight Jersey to their offerings, and launched the brand in Canada, Ireland, Australia and Japan. As a result of their growth, CRC has been included in Parents, Baby Couture, US Weekly and In Touch Magazines. The line has been featured on "The Fabulous Life of Celebrity Kids," MSNBC's "The Hot List," "The Daily Buzz," "Entertainment Tonight," and many regional and syndicated programs. Topping that, CRC was honored to receive the Family Choice Award 2006 as a product of superior quality. A sales associate can be reached at 818-347-7625 or visit cribrockcouture.com. Canadian retailers, please contact Spree Fashions, at 604-421-1295.

Clothing from Houston-based GREGGY GIRL made a splash on February 9th, when child models sashayed down the runway in the company's chic garments during Fashion Week in New York. The show is sponsored by CHILD Magazine. "Greggy Girl is honored to have been chosen for this prestigious runway event," says Charlene May, the company's founder and designer. In addition, Greggy Girl will be featured at the Vogue Bambini Runway Show during ENK in March, The Magic Runway Show in Las Vegas in February and the Dallas and Atlanta Fashion shows in April. Visit greggygirl.com.

JACKSON CLAY'S collection proves it's really a boys' world. Due to popular demand, the line has expanded to include sizes eight, nine and 10 years. For Fall 2007, look for the new "All Terrain Boy," a pant with convertible hemline and 5-ply knees. The company will soon launch an active marketing campaign featuring spokesman, Martin Sheen. To contact co-owner Paige Snear Apar, call 818-735-0104. To view the collection, log onto jacksonclay.com.

KNUCKLEHEADS, the collection of retro-inspired sportswear for boys, rings in the new year with a funky Fall 07 collection and three new sales representatives. The new plaid-mad line made its debut at the Action Sports Retailer show in San Diego in January, Magic Las Vegas in February and will be exhibited at the March ENK Children's Club Show. "We used a lot of plaids, because we just couldn't get enough of them this season," says designer/owner Melissa Nash. To contact Nash, call 360-696-9744 or log onto knuckleheads.com.

Hats off to Christi Smethurst whose company LEXY LU DESIGNS just celebrated its first birthday. Smethurst's playful fleece hats adorned with grosgrain ribbons "hit the stores in July," she says, "and were flying off the shelves this summer in anticipation of the cooler weather." In her first year, Smethurst has placed her items with over 50 retailers in 20 states. See the collection yourself when it debuts at the March ENK Children's Club Show in New York City (fits NB to 6 years; Wholesale price: $10). To contact Smethurst, call 703-627-5858, or visit lexylu.com.

Vanessa Kee, the owner of LILLABOO, a collection of bibs, blankets, bags and other gift items, says, "We're gearing up for a big year." She's "thrilled" with the new Tutti Fruitti Collection, which is "inspired by fruity colors and is modern, bright and edgy. Definitely unconventional yet refreshing," she adds. Check out the new line on the revamped lillaboo.com. To contact Kee directly, call 407-461-2772.

Cathy Berse-Hurley, known for LITTLE PACKRATS, her innovative line of children's bags and backpacks, introduced CBHstyle at the January International Gift Fair in New York. The collection marks Berse-Hurley's first venture into adult design. CBHstyle consists of three groups: the Doreen Collection of small and large totes and laptop bags with either a swirling design in black, white and gray or a simple black and primary coloration; the Jess Collection includes two totes appliquéd with cheerful floral motifs; and items in the Ruth Collection are influenced by Mondrian's hand-cut color blocks and the eye-popping circles of Op-Art. (The collection wholesales for $40-$125.) Contact the designer at 978-449-0222, or log onto CBHstyle.com.

MICRO CLOTHING isn't so micro anymore. At the recent MagicKids in Las Vegas (2/13-16) the company launched Micro Me, their collection of onesies and tees for infants to toddlers. Natasha Levin, the company's president, says, "The styles are hip, core but never crass." Micro Me's two groups are: "Rock," a collection featuring garments with a hand drawn guitar made of foil; and "Mod fantasy" presents the garments with fabric patched Pegasus and unicorns on top of polka dot prints and stripes. Actor Brooke Burke is already a fan of the collection. For more information, contact Levin at 949-291-9137, or visit microclothing.com.

It's always the land of MILK & HONEY for Nichole Gonzalez, and now there's a little chocolate, too. For Fall 2007, cocoa is the theme and she has boosted the color with soft pink, khaki and lavender. Look for edgy yet feminine styles for girls and surf and cowboy themes for their brothers. The collection will wholesale for $10-$34 and is available in sizes NB to seven years. Milk and Honey's diaper cover is featured in the March issue of Fit Pregnancy magazine. To contact Gonzalez, call 714-847-6844, or visit milkandhoneybaby.com.

MY ROYAL HEINIE, the small bags for carrying a few diaper related items, has been featured recently in Urban Baby, South Florida Parenting and The Miami Herald. If you're visiting the next JPMA show in Orlando, FL stop by booth #1665 in the Modern Child section to see the collection. To view the bags online, log onto www.myroyalheinie.com.

Adrienne Catrina of NEIGE is known for designing elegant dresses and girls' sportswear. Now boys can get in on the goods with her soon to debut Fall/Holiday 2007 boys' collection. The Collection, available in sizes 2T to seven years, is colored in slate gray, taupe, olive, brown, green and blue. Like her girls' items, the fabrics are all natural and include subtle stripes, geometrics and wool tweeds. For more information about the new line, contact Marni Sugden at 888-221-6366. To see the collection, log onto neigeclothing.com.

"The vision for our products is to celebrate every child by creating fun, colorful and whimsical designs and to provide the best quality, soft cotton," says Laura Simmons, the president of OKKIBABY. Her new product line for Spring 2007 includes onesies and T-shirts printed with animal graphics, baby wear and gowns. Gift sets of burpies, pails and baby attire are included in the season's roundup. Look for Okkibaby products in Meredith's annual "Find It" magazine. To contact Simmons, call 866 515-2073 or visit okkibaby.com.

OEUF hit the New York International Gift Fair (1/27-2/1) with a collection of sportswear for sizes six months to six years. The understated, clean-lined garments for boys and girls reflect the same modern aesthetic as the company's successful furniture and knitwear lines. For more information, contact Celine Cardwell at 845-229-0519, or log onto oeufnyc.com.

Here's positive news. Nancy Possenti has launched POSITIVELY ORGANIC, a line of playwear founded on the idea that "when it comes to dressing their children, parents shouldn't have to choose between style and sustainability." To that end, Possenti's diminutive collection of onesies, tees, yoga and cargo pants (NB-4T) for boys and girls, is "sweatshop-free" and utilizes luxuriously soft organic cotton. The line's modern graphic insects, seahorses and floral motifs will clinch the sale for retailers (wholesale prices are $4-$38). To contact Possenti, call 646-286-5966, or view the collection at positively-organic.com.

Sue Katz, owner and designer of SWEETERS, was chosen by the producers of "Extreme Makeover," the number-one rated television show on ABC, to design and knit sweaters for four children featured on the program. Katz's designs will be featured on the Sunday, March 25th episode.

Australian sportswear company MOPPIT KIDS is making its American debut at the March Bubble trade show in New York City. The manufacturer who has been selling the collection for five years, offers Mini Moppit, a brightly colored collection for infants; as well as a girls' line of candy-colored separates with a 70's disco mood. The boys' group exudes glam rock flair with styles colored in black, silver and bright red. To learn more about Moppit Kids, contact Ginger Ancone at 646-645-9773. To see the collection, log onto moppitkids.com.

Karry Brook has revamped the WEE WEE WEAR/DETROIT BABY website. The hip, modern graphic look of the website now matches her chic collection of tees for infants and toddler. Take a peek at weeweewear.com.

FOOTWEAR

Tennis anyone? In February, Jenny Chism, the designer and founder of MONKEY-TOES, debuted two new collections. LUV Bugs is a tennis shoe; Mjs is a Maryjane. Each canvas-topped, rubber-soled item is individually hand-painted with glittery little "love bugs." Says Chism, "My daughters saw the prototypes about a year ago and went absolutely nuts! They begged for months to have their own pair! The shoes are finally here and we're expecting the same reaction from everyone." LUV Bugs retail for $27; Mjs retail for $29. To contact Chism, call 720-231-8726 or visit monkey-toes.com.

BEDDING

Guess who's a fan of MAX DANIEL GIFT & BABY? None other than actor Jennifer Garner. Pictures of the star carrying a blanket from the company's Signature Collection while on an outing with daughter Violet, were posted on tmz.com and celebrity-babies.com. To see more of the company's celebrity-favored items, log onto maxdaniel.com.

You love your children and you care about the environment they inherit. So do the folks at PIXEL MODERN PIECES. Instead of simply crafting exciting bedding patterns for their new, three-design, Pixel Organics, they've done more. Their collection employs 100 percent domestically produced organic cotton (220 thread count) that yields the silkiest possible sateen. The stuffing used for their quilts is generated from recycled plastic soda bottles, and their packing fibers are derived from used materials. To see the new prints and receive more information about the company, call Shannon Svensrud at 415 543-1714, or visit pixelpieces.com.

ROOM DÉCOR

Stacie Dale knows that boys have a sentimental side, too. Her company, STACIE DALE DESIGNS, offers hand-painted wooden keepsake boxes for girls and their brothers. Her latest keepsake design features a dinosaur in rich, primary colors ($145 wholesale, includes UPS ground drop-shopping directly to a retailer's customer). It's great for holding that comic book collection, sports medals - everything! To see more of her designs, log onto staciedaledesigns.com.

How to make a kid happy 101: Order WALLCANDY ARTS' latest border designs and watch the next little Picasso come to life. For 2007, the company is introducing three new self-adhesive borders as well as "LandScape" - a kit with 18-feet of lush green grass. The borders include "ChalkBoard Animals," with six large peel and stick, chalkboard surfaced critters; "Red Racers," a kit of 12 classic race cars and eight racing flags; "Grazeland," an 18-foot mural with trees, barns, silos, tractors and all creatures great and small. For more information, visit wallcandyarts.com.

GIFT ITEMS

Molly Sims ("Las Vegas") and actress Carmen Electra take the cake. BLOOMERS BABY DIAPER CAKES that is. Sims purchased the new Groovy cake for a friend's baby boy. Electra presented the Classic Blue Hydrangea cake to Tori Spelling at Spelling's recent baby shower. To see what all the fuss is about, log onto the bloomerbabydiapercakes.com, or call the company's president Michelle Caruso at 949-951-2063.

Stacy McCallum, who designs the PIXIE DUST collection, is offering Mommy and Me Apron sets in prints suitable for girls and boys ($58 retail). In addition to the aprons, McCallum creates and manufactures a line of textiles as well as children's home accessories, gifts and bedding. Contact McCallum at 949 400-2298; look for the collection on pixiedustdecor.com.

BATH AND BEAUTY PRODUCTS

JENERATIONS BABY, the all natural bath and hair care products for infants and children, announces its partnership with BabiesRUs.com. On the store's website are three assortments of the company's beautifully packaged goods. The prices range from $17.99 for the shampoo and body wash to $39 for the four-piece Natural and Organic Baby Spa Gift Set. Jenerations Baby founder, Jennifer Reilly, a mother of two and hairstylist, uses only organic ingredients that are cruelty-free, never tested on animals and do not contain animal by-products. In addition to coverage in many parent and pregnancy magazines, Jenerations Baby items are stocked in FAO Schwartz, Bloomingdales, buybuyBaby and Babies R Us. Reilly is proud that her goods were included in the recent Celebrity Oscars Gift Basket. Reilly can be contacted at 845-721-1772, or visit jenerationsbaby.com.

YOU'RE HIRED!

BETSY AND MILLIE, a manufacturer of fine children's accessories, welcomes Gloria Davis to their team. Gloria, of Gloria P. Davis, Inc., will provide sales representation for the San Francisco and Northern California, Oregon, Nevada and Washington territories. Davis's showroom is located at 888 Brannan Street, Suite 3135, San Francisco. For more information, contact Davis at 415-437-1900. The folks at Betsy and Millie can be reached through their website betsyandmillie.com.

CRIB ROCK COUTURE, the line of T-shirts that sport baby inspired rock bands, is now sold through the following showrooms: Wendy Samuels of Wendy's Closet in Los Angeles, handles the company's West Coast territory, 213 627-9586; The Klein Group Showroom in Dallas and Atlanta handles clients in the Southwest and Southeast. In Texas, call 800-880-5437. In the Southwest, contact the showroom at 888-879-5437.

Talk about growing in leaps and bounds! The boys' wear company JACKSON CLAY has acquired seven sales representatives over the past year. In addition to their New York City sales rep, Allison Moroze of Ali's Market (212-695-2300) and Marian Lee of Bramasole in Los Angeles (213-629-1690), the company is now represented by the following showrooms: Gloria Davis in San Francisco, 415-437-1900; The VonTours in Dallas, 940-891-3322; Jeff McClellan in Atlanta, 740-434-7788; Bobbie Brody in Chicago, 312-670-3911; Bruce Nussbaum in Philadelphia, 215-280-7944; Marie Ryan in New England, 781-326-4511; and Olga Quinones covering the Florida and Puerto Rico territories, 305-264-6774.

Melissa Nash of KNUCKLEHEADS welcomes three new sales representatives. In Atlanta/Florida Bob Blumenthal (305-261-5412) handles the company's sales; Bob Detty (317-842-6166) is in charge of the Midwestern territory; and Canada is covered by Fulton Sales (866-531-3255)

If you're looking for elegant bedding at affordable prices, contact the following sales representatives who are carrying the MAX DANIEL BABY collection. Joanne Torres and Don Bild at the CA Market Center, 213 623-5953; and Gail Spivak at the Trinkets and Trappings showroom in the Chicago Apparel Center, 312 329-0560.

Randee Arneson at Taylor's Threads Showroom in Los Angeles is now handling sales in Los Angeles, San Francisco and Denver for the sportswear collection MILK & HONEY. To reach Arneson, call 213 624-8422, or visit rarneson.com.

MIM-PI, the Scandinavian sportswear company, has broadened its exposure in the U.S. with the addition of two new showrooms: John and Ellen Shanks of Shanks Marketing, will handle sales in Alabama, Georgia, Tennessee, Kentucky, North and South Carolina and Virginia. The Shanks can be reached at 731-989-5080. In Illinois, the collection is sold through the Karen and Jerome Davis-Collins showroom at 847-444-1082.

John and Ellen Shanks of Shanks Marketing, now represent fashionable sportswear and tees with a feminine edge by MY GIRL AND THE CITY. The Shanks cover Alabama, Tennessee, Kentucky, Georgia, Florida, North and South Carolina, and the Virginias. To reach the Shanks, call 731-989-5080.

The following showrooms are now carrying the clean-lined, easy-to-tote diaper bag from MY ROYAL HEINIE: My Happy Baby in the Southwest region. Contact Laura Gabelsberg at 832-797-1799, or visit myhappybaby.biz. In Atlanta, contact Trine at Two Generations, 404-581-9499 or visit twogenerations.com.

Paula Franco joins NEIGE, the dress and sportswear company, as the new Director of Sales and Marketing. Ms. Franco has over 15 years experience in the fashion industry and was most recently the National Sales Director of St. John. Former Director, Marni Sugden has transitioned within the company to focus on public relations for the growing line. Call 888-221-6366.

Leslie Stevens Sales will distribute the OKKIBABY line of whimsical T-shirts, baby attire and gift sets in the New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Connecticut. To contact Stevens, call 516 433-1720.

News to share? Contact tina@jamesgirone.com.

Back to Main Home