Retailers'
Hot Picks for Summer 2007 Shopping - Part
IV
In
the ongoing search for the best gift items for children,
we turned to several "mompreneurs" with great online
stores. When we asked for their "Hot Picks" for summer
gifts, they came back with a roundup of beautifully
designed items, many created by designing "mompreneurs."
Jennifer Laub who owns the
web store AVANNABEL
BABY, states her
intention simply: "My goal is to showcase other mom
inventors/designers."
From me, a "mompreneur," to the
others in this column and beyond: Cudos to you for
supporting one another and offering other moms (and dads)
the finest goods in the gift market.
Jacqueline Oddo, who
launched TAYLOR'S
BABY in January 2006,
knows how hard it is to find a unique gift. To aid buyers
looking for that perfect something, she says, "The
majority of our line is hand painted and handcrafted by
top artisans and custom made to order in the U.S. Most of
our designers are parents themselves who "Mom test" all
their creations."
Take a beautifully made T-shirt,
sprinkle it with rhinestones and a cheeky saying, and
you've got a "Hot Pick" on Oddo's site. Designed
exclusively for Taylor's Baby by Rhinestone Fashions, the
tees (sizes 2T-5, $28-$32) available in pink, black or
white "have been selling unbelievably," says Oddo. Order
yours with sayings like "Move over Cinderella," "Move
over Barbie," and "Move over Snow White" to usher in the
next feminine icon.
You may need a second mortgage on
your house to pay for this one, but a gift from Le Petite
Maison is worth it. Each playhouse is custom built to the
buyer's specifications. "Whether a log cabin for your
little adventurer, a castle for your princess, a favorite
doll house that she can play in or even his or her own
replica of Mommy and Daddy's home, these luxurious
playhouses will create the childhood memories of a
lifetime," says Oddo. At $18,000, you'll expect a great
resale value, too. The Victorian Playhouse shown,
features a wrap-around front porch, scrollwork accents
and a real bay window.
"Our mission is to spread sunshine
to children's lives," says Katja Presnal who owns
SKIMBACO.
Part of the proceeds from each sale on the website is
donated to children's charities. "We believe every child
deserves the best," she says. Trendy moms who log onto
Skimbaco, find luxurious gifts that, she says, are met
with the "Where did you get this?" factor.
This charming little dress by
Riiminka Design is a "Hot Pick" due to its "timeless cut,
yet hip design that makes it stand out," says Presnal.
Moms have already placed orders for the heirloom quality,
soft cotton Purple Princess Dress (4T-10, $49.99) for
fall birthdays. "It's our most popular dress!" says
Presnal. The rich fuchsia and cherry colorway, as well as
the happy cartoon image on the bodice, has a timeless
appeal that make this dress a winner for a little girl,
and the little sister who inherits the item.
There's no "too early" when it
comes to safeguarding children against sun damage, so I'm
a huge fan of fashionable kids' gear that's treated to
offer UV protection. So are the buyers who have made this
outfit from Cabana Life a "Hot Pick." The Lifeguard Tee
in this season's fashion forward slate blue is hip and
the Beach Pants edged in contrasting blue stitching roll
up to two different lengths and feature a large cargo
pocket for shells and other treasures (4-7; Tee $28,
pants $41).
Having walked children's trade
shows in the U.S. and overseas, I can tell you that
anything with a Sixties, modern, graphic look has a
strong appeal right now. So it's no surprise that the
silk-screened designs from Avalisa (12" square up to 28"
square, $59-$177) are "Hot Picks" with Skimbaco's
clientele. "The Fish wall art offers bold designs and
colors that appeal to both adults and children," says
Presnal.
Tutus never go out of style, but
right now they're all the rage. Lisa Papa who owns
the one-year-old TUTULICIOUS
and manufactures the Tutulicious collection of sequined
T-shirts and tutus, says:
"The website is designed so that
the client can create their own custom tutu or accessory
with their child or choose a unique design for
Tutulicious to manufacture for them." Customers use the
frothy tulle skirts (NB to 8 years, $25-$45) "to be worn
when posing for keepsake portraits for birthdays and
other special occasions," she adds.
A T-shirt with plenty
of "bling" to pair with a fabulous Tutulicious tutu.
Tutu cute on
baby.
Playing dress
up.
Carolina Zapf is a designer
and retailer in one. For six years she's developed and
manufactured the classic clothing for BABY
CZ, and recently launched
the retail BABY
CZ website. Her modern
designs, crafted from cashmere, wool, silk and cotton and
colored in understated hues have become staples in
traditional boutiques as well as their funkier
counterparts.
Zipped Hoodies with striped lining
and drawstring pant is from the Baby CZ By Carolina Zapf
collection. The cotton hoodie (3-24 months; retail: $90)
and pant ($46 at retail) are "Hot Picks" on Zapf's site
because they "make a great casual outfit for boys and
girls," says Zapf.
Zapf's use of embroidery is admired
by buyers for its overall luxuriousness and its
tone-on-tone depth. Her all cotton "Hannah" dress (2 to
12 years; $88 at retail) is a perfect example of her
signature look and a "great dress for summertime fun,"
she says.
No matter how much it wrinkles,
linen manages to appear elegant season after season.
Here, Zapf has paired sophisticated linen pants (3 months
to 12 years; $52-$74) with a crisp, button-down cotton
shirt (3 months to 12 years; $78-$114). The plaid shirt
embraces the everything "green" mood of the moment and
dresses up the drawstring pants as well. Swap a T-shirt
for the top and you've got a set that's ideal for a day
of play.
"Moms searching for unique products
not readily found in mass market stores" are the kind of
customers who turn to AVANNABEL
BABY.
"You won't find another piece
exactly like our Custom Made Birthday Dress," says Laub.
"It's made by our talented seamstress here in the U.S. of
fully lined, high quality pique cotton. The grosgrain
ribbon-ties at the shoulder add a cute touch with a
choice of a ruffled or pom-pom hem," she adds. The dress
(12 months to 4 T; $42) can be personalized with a
child's name. A matching cupcake hair bow and
coordinating monogrammed bloomers are also available.
"Our new Monogrammed Polka Dot
T-Shirts, made by a 'mompreneur' for Avannabel Baby, make
great inexpensive gifts which can be personalized with a
name and customer's choice of polka dot color and style,"
says Laub. Each all-cotton romper, tee and peasant dress
(NB to 4T; $21-$28) is packaged in polka dot "take-out"
boxes and tied with pink or blue grosgrain
ribbons.
Why limit flip-flops to the feet?
Hair Clip "Flip-Flops" by Madison's Room let little girls
wear the whimsical summer sandal higher up. The crocheted
hair ornaments ($10 each) are "by far the highest quality
I have seen," says Laub."
Originally published June 20,
2007
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