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MARILYN
KIRSCHNER'S FAVORITE THINGS
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Ragg
Shoes for spring/summer
2013 is really all about decorative shoes that make a
fashion statement (naturally!), with an emphasis on
variations of the ever popular rope soled espadrille,
exuberant flowers and florals, and of course, high octane
color. It would be hard not to notice the flower
printed and flower embellished wedge soled Drew ($13.50
wholesale); the adorable polka dot flat Mary Jane
espadrille, Ivy ($11.50 wholesale); or Maxi, the neon
floral flat thong sandal ($9.50 wholesale, all sized 11 -
4).
What a
hoot! The
Baby Bunch
launched the Hoot Owl House, a charming reusable "tree
house" box with a gift tag and magnetic lid ($22
wholesale). Inside is a soft cotton bodysuit (6-12
months) with a coordinating hat, socks and plush hoot owl
stuffed toy. The bodysuit, also available in lime
stripes, can be purchased as an individual "bon-bon"
($7.50.) For more information, call 610-705-5406, or
visit babybunch.com.
TB
Old
Soles has recently expanded
to include larger sizes: they now go from Eur 22 - 36, or
infant to 4 -5 years. For spring/summer 2013, they
are also taking the 'high' road, literally, as some
of their most standout items are the sporty, athletic
high tops which are quite stylish and sophisticated.
Among my favorites: the Bento high top in patent and
snow leopard, the Dreamz high top in graphic suede and
leather, the Cheer Leader high top in punched gold or
silver leather (all sized 22 - 30, $30 wholesale).
Livie
& Luca's
co-founder, Mitzi Rivas, recently revisited El Salvador,
and her very personal spring/summer 2013 collection
(which is as detailed, colorful, whimsical, and magical
as ever), was inspired by that trip, and by her
childhood memories. Among the pieces that caught my
eye: the easter egg colored patent leather Petal Mary
Jane with eyelet cut outs (sized 4 baby - 4 youth, $27 -
$27.75 wholesale); Pio Pio, the Mary Janes decorated with
birds (sized 4 baby - 4 youth, $27 - $29.75 wholesale);
Carta, the canvas Mary Jane which is lined in the print
of a love letter she wrote to her daughter (sized 4 - 13,
$27 - $28 wholesale). Fyi, this shoe is also sized
(5 - 10), for women (like mother, like
daughter!).
Right from
a farmer's market is Artwalk's
fresh-as-a-strawberry gift set (NB, $19 wholesale).
Designed by Shelley Hunt, the hand knit cotton strawberry
hat and adorable daisy-embellished slippers make an ideal
shower gift for the just-bloomed infant. Ditto for the
iguana tower hat (NB, $14) with hand crafted critter and
oh-so-cute packaging.
TB
What could be easier than a slip on loafer (like the ones
at Pazitos,
available in red patent, gold and silver leather),
perfect for 'loafering' around, during the easy, breezy
days of spring/summer 2013 (sized 28 - 36, $33
wholesale).
Loralin
Design is a
gift collection that satisfies both the true modernist
and those who look for something a little sweeter. On the
modern end of spectrum, are Lynne Buchman's Hoodie Sets
(3 to 18 months, $15), shown in lime, plum and red: a
bright trio of shades that look elegant, not over the
top. For more information, call 917-664-0148, or visit
loralindesign.com.
TB
Natural
Wondies specializes in 100%
organic cotton loungewear (long johns, two-piece sets,
dresses), sized for infants (3m-18m), toddlers (2Y-4Y),
and boys and girls (6Y-10Y). What sets them apart are
their unique colors and especially, their original
patterns, which run the gamut from playful graphics (some
of which are all boy, some of which are unisex), to
prints that are sweet and undeniably girlie (cherries,
flowers, etc.). Among the standouts that caught my eye
this season: the Avery Wondie Baby Boy and Baby Girl Long
Johns, the Nate Wondie Boy 2-piece sets, and the Lily
Wondie Girl Ruffled Dresses.
Spring/Summer 2013 standouts at Ralph Lauren Toddler
(a new shoe division) include Cove, the neoprene open
toed sandal in eye catching Knockout Pink and Turquoise;
and Trax Ez, the nylon and mesh trainer, available
in citron, hot pink, turquoise, and navy, both $25
wholesale, toddler sizes 4 - 10. Visit lynnmeyerinc.com
or trimfootco.com.
CeCeCo's
mommy and me pashminas: they are hand loomed in Nepal,
available in 200 luscious colors (yes, you heard that
right) and come in 8 different sizes ($29 - $139
wholesale); their nautically themed 100% cotton knit navy
and white striped cotton one-piece romper and short
sleeved dress, $24 wholesale, newborn - 24 months.
Buyers who have turned to Baby
Deer shoes for well priced,
well made and fashion forward infant and toddlers
footwear, will flip for the company's spring/summer 2013
line. For the trendy crawler, there's the fun plaid
espadrille with an ankle strap and frill of flirty tulle
($9.50 wholesale). Boys get in on the fun, with the funky
Navy Plaid Laceless Sneaker ($9). Look for great
metallic, patent leathers, and animal prints too (Fits
sizes NB to 12). For more information, contact the
Lynn
Meyer showroom at
212-947-5522, or visit baby-deer.com.
TB
Baby
B Jeweled Keepsake
Pacifiers ($11 wholesale), are available in pink or blue,
and are gift ready in their clear pillow package. The
silver plated Keepsake Rattles ($50 retail) can be
embellished in pink, blue, or clear, and can be
personalized with an engraving of baby's name and/or date
of birth; they are beautifully presented in a gift
ready clear top wooden box.
Beanie
Designs'
Mohawk hats (in pink or blue), featuring earflaps,
and a light fringe on top, creating a playful
Mohawk, have plenty of attitude. And their Little
Elf stocking hat, with its rainbow colors and long
braided tassel, is too cute for words. Both are made of
100% organic cotton, sized from newborn to 10 years,
and are $13 wholesale.
Contemporary
Headwear's
Halloween themed felt and sequined pinch clips; the
neon colored maribou feathered pinch clips (all between
$4 and $5 wholesale).
Funkie
Baby's 50's
style Vintage Preppy Vest Bibs ($14 wholesale), are an
inspired idea. Like all of Cheryl Shonnard's wonderful
products, these are proudly made in the USA; machine
washable; consist of three layers (they are 100% cotton
in front and in back, with a soft, soak proof lining
hidden in the middle); and completely reversible, so you
get two looks in one!
Bright is
right for spring with neon color appearing in all facets
of the kidswear market. 7
A.M. Enfant
picks up the trend with a hot pink sleeper (also
available in lime, $89.50 wholesale) and lime diaper bag
(in small: $49, and large: $59) with coordinated changing
pad and pouch. It's cool to like it hot! The sleeper has
a detachable, zippered bottom, so the item grows with the
child from infant up to four years. TB
Couture
Clips'
sparkly crown and sparkly bow pinch clips (the latter is
their best seller) are available in the most delectable
colors, and are $4.50, $3.50 wholesale respectively;
speaking of delectable colors, their fluffy maribou puff
pinch clips, $4 wholesale, are truly hard to pass
up.
Makeba
Gies' line of exclusive, year round clothing for babies,
Baby
Keba, has
just expanded to incorporate toddler sizes. A standout is
the pink ruffled dress (sized 3 mos. -
4T).
Little
Things Mean a Lot's
34-inch natural gauze gown with matching cap, $97
wholesale, is really exceptional, and the boys' silk
dupioni one-piece with diamond stitching (also with a
matching cap), is quite distinctive ($74 wholesale). Both
are sized 3-6-12.
Raindrops'
snow leopard plush blankets, (in pastel pink, blue, and
yellow) are gift ready and come beautifully packaged with
ribbons and flowers, $24 wholesale. The brown and pink
cheetah and zebra 100% cotton flannel long sleeved footed
Comfie (sized 0/6, 6/12/ 12/18, $15.50 wholesale) makes a
beautiful presentation accessorized with a bib in a
contrast pattern ($5wholesale).
Nowali's
brand new robot and owl moccasin shoe sock, $14.50
wholesale, 6m- 4 years.
Kelly and
David Sopp at Wry
Baby create
innovative toys, books and apparel designed to stimulate
a kid's imagination and entertain their parents too. At
NYIGF, they introduced Stuf, a collection of small
folding screens, like the circus (shown in the photo)
that function as a backdrop for any number of playful
scenarios. Ditto for the pillows. (Circus Stuf comes in a
case of 3, pillows $6-$12 wholesale) For more
information, call 704-660-6955, or visit wrybaby.com.
TB
Kissy
Kissy's new
100% Pima cotton stuffed toys perfectly coordinate with
the prints and patterns in the collection. In the shape
of a giraffe, it is available in an outerspace print for
the boys, and a pink floral for the girls ($9.50
wholesale). Keeping the jungle theme in mind, there is
also a large 32-inch Pima cotton blanket done up in
wide pastel bands and jungle animals throughout ($32
wholesale).
Jannuzzi
is in a dressed up mood these days, as evidenced by their
new sparkly leggings $11 wholesale (I love the hot
pink and the silver); the tutu leggings with scattered
crystals ($13- $18 wholesale); and the dolman
sleeved tunic length T's, $9-$15 wholesale depending on
whether it's plain, scattered with crystals, or decorated
with something fun, like a sparkly chandelier. All the
above are sized from 6 months - 6T.
Bloch
is known for their incredibly chic and timeless
interpretations of the cap toe ballerina, and they always
add more standout interpretations. Several which really
caught my eye this time around: the high gloss patent
leather skimmer in a great array of colors (I love the
highlight yellow), sized for baby, toddler, and girls
($30-$33 wholesale); the glittery ballerinas in
delectable shades ranging from black and white to silver
and lavender (sized for toddlers and girls, $29
wholesale); and the decidedly Monet inspired
Impressionist floral printed leather, sized for toddlers
and girls ($40-$50 wholesale). Visit nancymarkert.com.
Winter is
coming and Jamie
Rae Hats
has the perfect solution for the upcoming cold weather:
Jamie Wells' new, cute, and cozy Winter Wimple Hats,
available in white, pale pink, candy pink, and gray
decorated with a large rose in a contrasting color. They
are $16.50 wholesale.
Kate
Middleton made a splash with her bright blue skinny jeans
at the Summer Olympics and Zutano
has their own baby and toddler sized version, called The
Matchstick Jean, $16.50 wholesale, and available in a
range of fabulous
colors.
The
glittery stretch Mustache Bracelets with charms and
stones ($7.50 wholesale) at Top
Trenz, are
definitely NOT 'your father's mustache'; and the colorful
Tie Dye Zipper Bracelets ($1.50 each, wholesale), are
made to be collected (what would a Top Trenz collection
be without tie dye?).
Danzo's
always chic collection just got the perfect update with
their pumpkin and ruby red Cordura nylon oversized hobo
($148 wholesale, with the company's signaturee bells and
whistles, of course).
If See
Kai Run shoes were simple
black Mary Janes, you'd still admire them for the
beautifully crafted leather uppers and flexible soles and
the lushly padded tongues and collars. But they're so
much more than fine craftsmanship. See Kai Run's
spring/summer 2013 collection is the answer to the
budding fashionista and fashionmister's dream: check out
the Minuet: seafoam and magenta. Perfect. And the Noel in
navy. See how a simple touch of orange sparks a sneaker?
Yes, love is in the details. (Collection fits NB to 8
years, $18.75-$28 wholesale.) For more information, call
888-524-7463, or visit seekairun.com.
TB
Room
Seven has wisely not only
expanded their bag collection, but lowered the prices,
and they look better than ever this season, thanks to a
Farm Fresh Theme. Standouts are the Old Mac Donald Had a
Farm Rolling Suitcase, $139 wholesale, the Little Girl
Backpack, $49, and the large Fresh from the Farm diaper
bag, $119.
One way to add a pop of
brilliant color to a girl's outfit is with a
Pazitos
sandal. The carefully crafted leather footwear includes
trend-conscious styles like the Bedazzled in aqua that
lights up small toes with a jeweled medallion. The Pow
Wow blends animal prints with a nod toward Native
American design; and, why not really go for the glow with
a neon Zneaker? (Fits Infant through Toddler sizes 20-38,
$24.50-$35 wholesale.) For more information, call
818-710-6582, or visit pazitosinc.com.
TB
Originality
(and amazing attention to detail) is the hallmark of
Livie
& Luca,
and these qualities are there in spades in the hard to
resist and brand new Auto strap-on shoe. Available in red
or blue, it features an elastic windshield, a cotton
stripe bumper, yellow leather headlights and wheels, and
an L&L license plate on the heel. Sized for baby 0-6
and 18-24 months, and whole sizes 4 - 10 (wholesale $18 -
$24.50)
Livie
and Luca
have obviously left their heart in San Francisco, and the
result is the totally fabulous and highly original velvet
soft leather Bay Boot, which features the silhouette
of San Francisco beyond the bay in all its beauty.
Available in toddler sizes and whole sizes, youth
1-4, they are, $25.50 and $28 wholesale.
Malibu
Sugar's long sleeved mesh
top ($16 wholesale), and their signature seamless
nylon spandex layering pieces (the bra cami and cami, $7
- $8.50 wholesale) really make a statement thanks to
a range of brilliant colors (black, white and neon!), and
I love the addition of a leopard print, which looks
great when translated into boy shorts ($9.50).
Sized for girls 4 - 6X, 7 - 14.
Andrea Chafetz has her own
version of "Princess Diaries" going, thanks to her
fabulous assortment of special occasion tiaras and
headbands for Andrea's
Beau (and you don't need a
special occasion to wear them or enjoy them). High on my
list: the Princess Tiara made of Austrian crystals and
pearls, $27 wholesale; the Rhinestone Vine Tiara, a
tasteful silver vine of rhinestones and leaves, $28
wholesale; and the Asteria Tiara, made of white and
silver enamel flowers, silver, and Austrian beads,
mounted on a silver band, $32
wholesale.
You can always count on
Ragg
for colorful, feminine,
sparkly, and on trend offerings. Spring 2013 standouts
that foot the bill are Pippa, the faux leather
ballerina sized 11-13.5, $11 wholesale; Lily thong sandal
with ankle strap in faux leather and sequined double
flower, sized 11-4, $9.50 wholesale; and Violet, the
diagonal thong in faux leather with a side sequined
flower, sized 11-4, $10 wholesale.
Amanda
Dimova has been busy adding new, fun, and totally
adorable styles to her popular Vinca
line. I especially love the neon unicorn rings, $3.75
wholesale, and the asymmetrical kitty tail and head
earrings, $11 wholesale.
Bubele's
new ruffled diaper covers (since the Olympics are just
finished, I especially love the patriotic version done in
red, white, and blue), $8 wholesale, 0-3 months; and
their adorable 3-piece sets in mismatched patterns (dots
and plaids) caught my eye, $17.50- $21 wholesale, 0-3
months (new ones are being added all the time!).
It is hard
to resist Baby
Deer's
flexible black and white zebra ballerina skimmers
layered with grosgrain flower sized 0-3, 2-10, $9.50 and
$13 wholesale; their faux pony hair and red leather
sandal ($21 wholesale, sized 2-10); their
t-strap jelly sandals with flower (sized 2-12, $8
wholesale); or their black patent and black white polka
dot flower Eva sandal, $9 wholesale, sized 2-10. Visit
lynnmeyerinc.com.
Australian
brand Old
Soles is
known for their chic baby cap toed ballerinas and they
just introduced a new patent leather version with an
elastic strap, as well as a unisex athletic lace up
sneaker, both with non-slip rubber soles.
Angela
Frost's 'tie dye' for
(literally) swimwear: her tie dyed cloud printed maillot,
$26.50 wholesale, and her two-piece swimsuit with its tie
dyed fringed top, $30 wholesale, both sized 4 -
14.
Europann's
nylon drawstring waist swimtrunks for boys (2-16)
are lined in soft cotton and available in an array
of colorful, graphic, and eye catching prints
and patterns (a car print, a multi stripe, and a Rubik's
Cube), but because the London Olympics were in full swing
during Children's Club, nothing seemed as up to the
minute as the all over Union Jack Flag print. Visit
lolligo.com.
Annie Salyer is
always adding new items to her line, No
Slippy Hair Clippy,
and standouts this season inlcude Chloe, the 2-in.
sequined sparkle bow, $6.50 retail; Willow, the
hand-stitched felt owls, $10 retail; and Olivia, the:
1-in. hand-stitched two-tone felt flowers, $6.95
retail.
How cute
are the Ralph
Lauren Layette
Harbour Hi canvas hi tops in mouthwatering shades of
pink, blue, and orange, all stamped with the signature
polo pony of course, $16 wholesale. Visit
lynnmeyerinc.com.
Talk about "at arms
length"...leave it to our friends at Confetti
& Friends, to come up
with the latest, most affordable ($3-$5 retail),
must-have accessory: the colorful and collectible HipZips
bracelets. Betcha you can't have just one! M.K.
Originally
published September 9, 2012
