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Aftershow - A Satisfying Conclusion to the January 2008 Children's Club No one talks more at trade shows than James and me. When we stop at a booth, we want all the news about the collections, of course, we need that information for the trend and designer roundups. Once we've had our fill of fabrics, style direction and manufacturing woes (unfortunately, there are always manufacturing woes), we love to hear about our sponsors' lives: changes in locale, and kids, and, more and more often, what celebrities' offspring were seen wearing. Whether the tot gracing the pages of Us and People Magazines was "gifted" (also known as giving away merchandise to those who need it the least), or a celebrity bought the goods outright (an antiquated custom that few of the famous still engage in), a mini-star sighting means a bump in sales and prestige for manufacturers.
Now, Aftershow: If you live in New York City, you know that a second bathroom is as coveted as a hot tub in the Hamptons. Emily Wang of Lucky Wang is feeling lucky indeed, now that she's traded up to a two-bath apartment near the World Trade Center. Wang's new turf isn't known for amenities, "We have to bring food from our old neighborhood," she says, (Wang's former locale was Union Square home to great green markets and supermarkets), "but the transportation here is wonderful and we can all brush our teeth at once." Believe me, that's a big deal in these parts.
It's a big deal, too, to uproot a family - with infant triplets no less - and move from New York to Peru. Yes, Peru. Sude Dellinger and Joe Peta of Feather Baby now live and do all the company's manufacturing in that country. "We get a lot more for a lot less," says Peta, speaking like a true New Yorker. Tired of the "quasi-agencies" he deals with, Peta is trying to establish a system for certification in Peru so consumers are aware of the ethical, Fair Trade workrooms he employs.
Anabel Fournier is out of Bolivia and into Nairobi, Kenya. Fournier's husband works with an international organization implementing a poverty alleviation project that aids coffee farmers across several East African countries. "Living in Africa has been an inspiration for my designs," says the designer, who travels frequently to the U.S. for trade shows, as well as visits to Cochabama, Bolivia where garments for her Fournier collection are produced. In Cochabama, she's established a cooperative to offer steady employment to low-income workers. She now has 60 knitters and seamstresses working year-round. Of the country, Fournier says, "It is culturally so rich, colors are so vibrant and the mix of cultures is an experience beyond what I expected."
Also major: graduating from college and beginning a medical residency. Lisa Nowell, the daughter of ecstatic mom Mary Naples of M.N. Bird Co., will graduate from Duke University in May. Among her top five choices are Columbia Presbyterian and Mt. Sinai in New York where she plans to specialize in pediatrics. "She's always very positive," says the proud Naples.
When in New York act like a New Yorker. That's what Jackson Clay's owners are doing. "We're corporate now," say Paige Apar and Paula Speert. "When we're here, we meet directly with our clients." Their new strategy is working. During the exhibition, the pair opened accounts with Precious & Pampered in East Setauket, NY; Renee's Kids Corner in Mattituck, NY; and Aminah et les Amis at the World Trade Center in New York City; as well as the Vivre catalogue. Not bad ladies. Not bad at all.
Ready for Their Close-Up Carolina Zapf of Baby CZ spotted a picture of Jennifer Lopez buying her items for the Lopez-Anthony twins-to-be; model/actress Bridget Moynahan's thrice-named infant son John Edward Thomas was seen wearing one of Baby CZ's cashmere sweaters; and Gwyneth Paltrow dresses Apple and Moses in her gear.
It appears that one success attracts another. Michael and Uli Belenky's wildly popular Zutano store-in-a-store at the venerable FAO Schwarz in New York has become a tromping ground for celebrities. Star sightings include Johnny Depp seen stocking up on Zutano garments for Lily-Rose and Jack, his children with longtime girlfriend, the French singer Vanessa Paradis. Looks like Depp is as good at selecting gifts as he is film roles. Stevie Wonder, Queen Sofía of Spain, Brad Pitt and Jennifer Garner are regulars too. "We've had a wonderful response to the store from our Zutano fans. We're thrilled to be part of the new FAO Schwarz," says Michael Belenky.
Originally published February 7, 2008
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