A
First Glimpse of "Top Picks" for Fall 2007 - Part
II
The
second half of our fall shopping story brings you more
great choices for the season from three exciting stores.
The first is MOPPET
FROCKS, an online shop
that offers the hottest looks from high-end European and
domestic lines. The
JAELA
FREDERICK boutique
brings unusual, well-priced clothing and gift items that
can be personalized; and, still in its infancy, the
JU
JU BEANE BOUTIQUE is
the go-to spot on the Internet for popular and offbeat
brands.
Judging from the sampling of "Top
Picks" chosen by the retailers, saturated color and
plenty of detail are "must haves" for their
clients.
Cheryl Engelmeyer and
Cindy Inglin launched MOPPET
FROCKS, a destination
for European and domestic children's boutique clothing on
St. Patrick's Day, 2007. Says Inglin, "We have built a
customer base of 1,000 loyal customers since our opening
date." Engelmeyer and Inglin's clientele are finding "Top
Picks" among high-end collections. "A few of our best
selling brands are Oilily, Jottum, Deux Par Deux,
Pampolina, Monnalisa, Kate Mack and Catimini," she
says.
For parents who want couture
styling and don't mind couture prices, there's Verde
& Mela. "We had to offer a little bit of the line
for its originality. This outfit is sweet and funky all
in one," says Inglin. Her "Top Pick" will set parents
back a cool $438 or more for a two-piece set, but you can
see that the clothing reflects a unique sensibility. The
trend conscience European Girl's Two-Piece Set (fits 4 to
7 years) offers several of the season's hottest themes:
the color gray, the tuxedo front detailing, graffiti and
the lace-tiered skirt. The removable doll appliqué
is pure whimsy.
The Oilily Collection looks
like the output of a wildly creative tot who happens to
possess an outstanding color sense. At the recent
Pitti Bimbo trade fair in Florence, Italy, the
manufacturer created an onsite art studio where
seamstresses stitched up flamboyant made-to-order totes
for retailers and the press. The company's theme this
season is "Dreams in the Midnight Garden" and features
floral shapes with a deer motif figuring prominently as
an appliqué. Inglin calls the company "Our beloved
Oilily," and sites the Maidje Denim Deer Dress with
floral deer appliqué ($95 and up, fits 18 months
to 3T) as a best seller.
Black and white is a hot
combination for fall and looks especially fresh for
special occasion wear. Here's a lush velvet party dress
from the Italian manufacturer Monnalisa with a
subversive wit: That black and white motif is Mickey
Mouse. "The soft velvet dress is perfect for a birthday
party and holiday event," says Inglin. ($160, fits 12
months to 3 years.)
The Dutch company Jottum is
a little out there with all its ruffles, suspenders and
mixed prints. That's why I love the line, and I'm not
alone. Jottum is coveted for its gorgeous colors and
sumptuous fabrics, as well as its over-the-top,
girly-girl (and boy) offerings.
I spotted the Sanneke Dress with
Evianne Top and Dark Brown Rossa Tights ($440 and up,
fits 2T-6), one of the owners' "Top Picks," at Pitti
Bimbo. The rich blues, all those ruffles and tulle add up
to a show stopper. (The shirt has a subtle dot pattern
and the ruffle trim is dark chocolate brown.) "Every
little girl feels like a princess in Jottum. We even have
collectors buy the line for their cherished dolls," says
Inglin.
Meshell McAfee is a
"one-woman-show" who founded JAELA
FREDERICK over a year
ago. The single mom, who named her high-end online
boutique after her two children, stocks clothing and
gifts for parents and their stylish offspring. When
deciding on selections, McAfee always keeps busy moms in
mind. "For stylish mothers, I try to add children's
clothing and baby accessories that would complement their
taste," says McAfee.
McAfee's clientele appreciate
traditional looks with a modern spin that can be
personalized. The Chocolate Corduroy John John by
Princess Linens ($60, fits NB-4T) is lean yet
roomy and the bib can be monogrammed with a little boy's
initials. (Shown in cream.)
Kait Emerson Designs'
Sparrows Light Pink Pillow dress is such a clever
garment. Emerson employs a chic, modern sparrow print for
the cleanly shaped A-line and edges it with a fashionable
cocoa border. That pink and chocolate combination never
loses its elegant appeal. "The dress can be worn alone or
as a top year round. For the fall, just add a
turtleneck!" says McAfee. ($28, fits 6 months-5T)
Betty and Dean's Angel Wing
Gown (fits 3 to 6 months) is the "perfect way to show the
world that your baby is an angel," says McAfee. Who could
disagree, when the cotton is this soft, the wing motifs
are heavenly and the $23 price tag is out of this world?
We're outing Jamie Anderson
by including her in this story. The newbie of the group,
her JU
JU BEANE BOUTIQUE won't
be officially announced until the spring/summer 2008
season. Official or not, since her store went online in
August, parents have discovered her selection of great,
affordable kidswear and gifts.
"We believe children's clothing
should reflect their unique spirit and inspire creativity
and playfulness. Clothing should always be made with
quality materials and craftsmanship to allow for plenty
of movement and long-lasting durability," she says. Her
collection of gifts, games and bath items are chosen with
the same selectivity.
"Scout is a premium
baby/toddler clothing line that combines modern design
and color with handmade details. Scout's designs are
distinguished by their bold yet sophisticated colors and
are manufactured in Peru using organic and sustainable
cotton farming practices and fair trade textile
production," says Anderson. I've been a fan of this
collection for its confident use of saturated color and
culturally inspired appliqués.
Anderson's Top Pick is Scout's Red
Dream Tee ($20-$29 for the collection, fits 6 to 24
months) from the company's Oceania Collection. The
hand-stitched detail on the appliqué and the
super-soft 100 percent Pima cotton make it a winner.
"We love Kumquat's fresh and
contemporary fabric choices and the ultra-comfy designs
for the little ones. A Parent's magazine favorite, the
company's gift sets are the perfect show-stopping shower
gift," says Anderson.
A "Top Pick" is Kumquat's
Pink Dotty Owl Set in sophisticated pink and chocolate.
The layered tee and kimono pants ($42-$48 on sale now
with a 20 percent discount, fits 3 to 24 months) will
have parents sighing with delight.
For boys, the Dogwood
Clothing line offers trend appeal as well as
traditional styling. "We picked Dogwood because it
marries its classic styling and rugged textiles so well
with this year's trendy graphics and vintage prints,"
says Anderson. The Vintage Rock Bad Axe Tee and River
Pant ($26-$38, fits 2 to 4T) feature the season's hottest
color: inky navy, with a shot of acid green. The pants
are meant for a day of play and those cargo pockets can
stash just about anything.
Originally published October 20,
2007
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