Oil & Water

A fresh look at rainwear for girls.

Amy Wismar is the founder/designer of a bright, shiny and new line of rainwear for girls called Oil & Water. “My fun and beautiful daughters inspired this line and continue to inspire me every day,” she says.

It’s just fabulous.

If you like style, originality and great quality, you’ll love Amy’s raincoats, jackets and ponchos designed “for the everyday girl.”

Oil & Water rainwear if made for girls sizes 2-10. All fabrics are shower and windproof, in a fabulous mix of colors and metallics. Each piece is fully line in faux fur or softwash poly. Luxurious!

We had hoped to bring a fresh, modern look to children’s rainwear that is classic, beautiful and happy chic! And now, after two years of sketching, designing, sewing and meeting fabulous people in the fashion industry, I think the Oil & Water collection shines, too.

Good for Moms. Special for girls. Reinforced snaps, tailored hoods and deep pockets are featured on all styles for everyday comfort, using the highest quality, washable waterproof and water resistant fabrics.

A little ray of light in an otherwise gloomy rainstorm!

Children’s Retail Today publishes new posts on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays. If you want to get the word out about your innovative, imaginative and inspiring products for children, contact me today!

XOLO

Who says shoes have to match?

XOLO Shoes is changing footwear fashion one mismatched shoe at a time. The company celebrates a child’s unique personality with unusual shoe designs where the left and right shoes in a pair are not exactly the same.

The mismatched fabrics feature fun, colorful patterns –and the shoes look adorable because each shoe complements the other perfectly with coordinating designs and colors.

Pam Val is the creative mind behind Humble, TX-based XOLO. Owner of Pam Grace Creations, she is already successful in the baby and children’s bedding industry, and has a passion for children’s design. Her motto: Why not let kids express themselves not just in their room decor, but also in their clothing and accessories?

Kids are often told ‘no’ when they attempt to express themselves creatively. I want to give parents a chance to tell their children ‘yes!’

Back to School Deal. XOLO Shoes makes going back to school fun and stylish. Both girls and boys can really express themselves creatively with two different shoe styles -lace-up and slip on- backpacks and rain boots. The company also has NCAA college-licensed shoes for Mom and older kids, including team colors from LSU, Georgia, Florida and Auburn, with more to come.

Check out XOLO’s back to school deal good until October 31, 2013.

Another ChicExecs client! Children’s Retail Today publishes new posts on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays. If you want to get the word out about your innovative, imaginative and inspiring products for children, contact me today!

Stella & Stevie and the Mack & Co label

We have our feet on the ground with five kids, three dogs and two husbands between us … but our eyes up to the sky looking for the next great thing.

Penny Crivelli and Gerri Mack are best-friend-entrepreneurs (BFE’s?) who founded Crivelli Mack in 2005. The two make contemporary canvas totes, crossbody travel tags and cosmetic cases, as well as fleece jackets and hats plus faux fur coats and hats for children under the Stella & Stevie and the Mack & Co label.

Currently, Penny runs the corporate office from the San Francisco Bay area, while Earnie-Award winning designer Gerri dreams up childrenswear styles at her studio alongside a lake in the Ozarks.

Made in the USA. The company’s design sensibility focuses on fun, feminine, colorful and unique products. The bags come in bright colors and neutral prints, great for laptops, baby stuff, knitting supplies, exercise gear or just everyday items. The children’s outerwear is cut and sewn right here in the United States.

Established by the original designer of Ali Mac in Minneapolis, MN, Mack & Co started in 1993 has been recognized in the marketplace for outstanding design.

Children’s Retail Today publishes new posts on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays. If you want to get the word out about your innovative, imaginative and inspiring products for children, contact me today!

Hoodebaby Love

One of life’s simple pleasures has got to be a walk in the rain on a warm summer day.

Showers could be fleeting though – and over before you can get the kids into their raincoats. All you could hope for is they’ve got their rain boots on … to puddle-splash, of course. Or … you can get your kids a Hoodebaby.

Slip it on, wrap them up and go. Made for babies, toddlers and kids (and hopefully for adults someday –hint, hint), Hoodebaby is a hooded wrap that blankets children easily from rain and cold. This stylish outerwear is a one-size-fits-all alternative to wearing a coat. Hoodebaby rainwear is crafted of BPA and lead free 100% laminated cotton and double combed cotton flannel, and the warmwear is made from designer micro fleece and soft fluffy baby bunting. Great for walking in the rain, keeping the chill of air conditioning at bay or weathering a beach breeze.

Stuffing a baby into a coat is always cumbersome. The child becomes overheated, car seat straps need to be loosened (which is unsafe) and it is very awkward carrying a child wearing a coat.

Designer/creator Rani Isbell is raising five kids with her husband, and she’s was always looking for ways to make their day-to-day routine less complicated. “Hoodebaby is faster, easier and more comfortable than a coat,” she says. “It will be one of the most useful additions to your child’s wardrobe.”

I especially love the colorful prints – from sandalwood to tart, gypsy, teal pom pom and pink owl, they make Hoodebabies stand out from the crowd. You can tell they’ve cuddly soft and fun to wear.

By the way, the “e” in Hoodebaby honors Rani’s most recent edition to her family, baby Elias.

Children’s Retail Today publishes new posts on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays. If you want to get the word out about your innovative, imaginative and inspiring products for children, contact me today! Thanks, Rachel Florio PR, for introducing me!

CiCi & Ryann débuts with Spring 2012

A popular designer collaborates with an acclaimed children’s photographer on a new girls clothing company.

Karen Gamble, the designer of Two Monkeys Designs/Indie Clothing Company, and sought-after Dallas, TX-based children’s photographer Jael DeYoung have débuted CiCi & Ryann, a new brand of girls clothing “where sophistication plays with hip.” CiCi & Ryann launches with a Spring 2012 line of four collections for toddlers to tweens. The designers have used a fresh mix of vibrant colors, patterns and textures to create looks that are not only new in the marketplace, but also extremely wearable, fun and fashionable. The signature Lacey Leg is a modern take on the lace legging as a ruffle pant, made of a gorgeous white stretch floral lace and adorned with an adorable ruffled bottom. In addition, Karen and Jael have designed three raincoats made from the contemporary and ultramodern laminate cottons, offering bold, colorful prints with whimsical ruffles and sparkly rhinestone button detailing.

CiCi & Ryann is undoubtedly delivering a unique and distinct look for girls’ apparel consumers. The details and special touches throughout each collection, as well as the quality of each piece, is just superb.

The designers tell me that CiCi & Ryann created quite a buzz at the Dallas Market Center during the line’s launch in August 2011. “CiCi & Ryann is sure to create the same excitement for the merchants who will be débuting our fabulous collections in their stores in just a few short months.” Some collections are set to take orders starting February 1.

“I Want to Wear My Western Chief Kids Gear!”

Autumn brings rainy days and cooler weather, so kids need boots, umbrellas and slippers in the closet.

Western Chief Kids, the industry-leading designer of children’s rain gear brought to you by the Washington Shoe Company, offers a wide range of colors, patterns and styles in rain boots, umbrellas and raincoats. From special edition rain gear featuring Hello Kitty, Thomas the Tank Engine, Batman and Superman to iconic favorites such as the ladybug, frog and firefighter, Western Chief Kids offers something to please even the pickiest youngster. Most patterns are available in umbrellas, rain boots and raincoats to create a complete matching outfit on rainy days, too.

For babies and toddlers, autumn months bring cold weather; Washington Shoe Company’s brand, Staheekum, keeps their tiny feet warm with soft, cuddly sheepskin slippers, available in sizes to fit infants from 0-18 months.