Retailers'
Picks for Spring/Summer 2007 Shopping - Part
II
For
Part II of our retailers' hot picks for spring and
summer, I asked four retailers for their customers'
must-have items this season. Unlike our first retailers
who chose a selection of ultra-feminine wear, this
group's top picks of apparel and gifts are irreverent,
streamlined and modern. Which proves there's something
for everyone!
"Our purpose is to provide an
eminently user friendly, cutting edge, one-stop shopping
website that contains only the hippest children's threads
and kicks," says Tonya Bowers, who, "with a little help
from her husband John," owns ROCK
'N SPROUTS. The almost
one-year-old website "caters to anyone who is looking to
showcase their little ones cool style or wanting a little
chuckle during those ever dreaded diaper changes. We
hand-select our items from designers, new and old," says
Bowers.
Walk through a trade show, or even
hit the Pitti Bimbo exhibition in Florence, Italy,
like I did in January, and you'll see booth after booth
with designs that exude a rock n' roll, biker chick/biker
dude aesthetic. This season anything with a tattoo design
or a skull - especially a skull - was red hot.
"Anything that causes you to
chuckle is a must-have in my book!" says Bowers. Her
customers have been getting quite a laugh from My
Rockstar Baby's "Potty Like a Rock Star Onesie"
(NB-12 months; $24.99). They've made the adorable piece a
hot seller.
The "Tattoo Tank Dress" from
Hannah Banana looks like two cool garments with
accessories. But it's one easy piece that "lets the
little ones show their wild side - in style!" says Bower.
One reason for the dress's success: the tattoo printed
T-shirt top. (2T-4T; $61.99)
Skulls, tattoos, guitars - do you
see a theme developing? Neptune Zoo's "Welcome to
the Jungle" Tee (2T-8; $22) is a hot number thanks to the
airbrushed eagle and skull motif. "A super cool and super
soft tee with the ever popular skull design. What more
could you want?" asks Bowers.
Sweeter styles than Rock 'N Sprouts
but just as cool, can be found at GIRL
CHARLEE, a website that
launched in May of 2006. "We sell the Girl Charlee
clothing line made from vintage inspired fabrics as well
as pieces from the collections of small independent
designers who share our distinct retro style," says owner
Heather Peterson.
Peterson's customers look for
"something unusual in children's wear and gifts that are
of high quality and unique." They've made the cotton
Jersey knit "Girl Charlee Floral Print Smocked Top" (12
months to 6; $34) a winner. "The top is available in lots
of unique prints. It's a really popular seller,
especially with the coordinating Gaucho pants," says
Peterson.
The "Vintage Patch Gaucho" pants
(12 months - 6 years; $36) "come in many bright twill
fabrics or denim. They've been flying off the site," says
Peterson. With their easy-to-move-in shape, they're great
with the floral top or any cute T-shirt.
"At BABY
OLIVER we cater to
anyone who loves cool stuff for their little ones," says
owner Tracy Herbert. "We only carry items that we would
give to our own children." The Herbert kids are lucky.
Everything on this four-year-old specialty gift website,
is modern, fun and the kind of cutting-edge gear I see at
industry trade shows.
Fleurville, a company that
specializes in modern print and solid luxury diaper bags,
is a favorite of urban moms and the environmentally
conscience. On Baby Oliver, the "Re-Run Stroller Bag"
($69.95) offers "super hip minimalism at its greenest!"
says Herbert. "The bag is one of the lightest, most
comfortable, most environmentally sensitive stroller bags
around. It weights just 12 oz. empty and has a quilted
outer layer for comfort. It has lots of storage and user
friendly detailing, and is made from recycled water
bottles! It's a great bag at a great price." (The bag is
available in four colors with new colors coming soon.)
I first noticed the Latitude
Enfant line of crocheted animal toys at the ABC
Kids Expo in Las Vegas and fell in love with the
animals' sweet expressions and charming outfits. The
"Donkey Grannimal" ($29.95) wearing a bright sweater is
hot seller at Baby Oliver. "Legend has it that the French
creator of these cuddly Grannimals was inspired by her
Grandmother, who knit these cuddly dolls for each of her
grandchildren with their individual personality in mind,"
says Herbert.
It's only recently that the nouns
"scrapbook" and "journal" have become the verbs
"scrapbooking" and "journaling." The change in vocabulary
is a reflection of the country's growing fascination with
creating memorable keepsakes. Herbert and her customers
love the "Tummy Talk Pregnancy Journal" by Tummy
Talk "because it focuses on journaling the entire
pregnancy," she says. The album is covered with a
luxurious suede-like material with a hand-placed
Swarovski crystal on each cover. "This all-in-one album,
scrapbook and keepsake journal can be completely
customized by adding your mementos, journaling your
thoughts and inserting your photos," says Herbert.
"BABY
BOY STYLE was started
by the desire to create a boutique shopping experience
for little boys (and their moms, of course) that is fun,
fulfilling and convenient. Our goal is to bring together
a mix of styles and designs that are both hip and
stylish, while preserving the playful, fun and carefree
nature that childhood embodies," says Lisa Ratchford who
recently launched the website. Her clothing (sizes NB to
4T) as well as accessories and colorful room décor
"offer a variety of looks ranging from traditional and
classic to modern with a rocker edge."
There was so much red, white and
blue at the spring trade shows I thought I'd stumbled
into a political convention. These "Flag Swim Trunks" by
Hartstrings ($28) are a hot pick on Baby Boy Style for
"Memorial Day, Flag Day, the Fourth of July…there
are plenty of great holidays to sport these shorts/swim
trunks. They have a mesh lining with a drawstring
waistband and are full of fun and vibrant color," says
Ratchford.
Down boy! The "Kenji Tiger Cargo
Shorts" by Tea Collection ($30) "let him take a
walk on the wild side," says Ratchford. "They have a long
fit designed to hang below the knee. The cool tiger down
the leg is sure to make these shorts his favorite pair."
The "Summer Sandals" by Wee
Squeak ($29.50) can be a blessing for parents or
drive them right up the wall. Each adorable, comfortable
pair comes with a "squeaker" in the shoe which encourages
"crawlers to begin walking and toddlers and young
children to walk properly and not on their toes. For
those occasions when the shoe needs to be silent, the
squeaker can be removed by an adult," says Ratchford.
Originally published April 22,
2007
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