Month: August 2009

Belly Button Power!


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PeekABelly_004I have a soft spot for belly buttons (no pun intended).

Something about them makes me want to reach out and tickle – right there!  I try this on my sweet husband … but he really doesn’t like anyone else tickling his belly button – something about when he was a kid, he tells me.

Perhaps he’d feel differently about belly button power if Peek-a-Belly was around when he was a kid.

Peek-a-Belly is a new baby gift line just launched by founder  Sue Zeiler. It’s a one-piece baby garment that opens at the baby’s middle, providing 24/7 belly-kissing-and-tickling-access. She also tells us that Peek-a-Belly is the first of its kind.

PeekABelly_002The patent pending design has two overlapping panels on the front side that can be pulled wide open for full-on, scrumptious belly access. The opening is secured by Velcro, adorned with a colorful, designer fabric patch. 

Peek-a-Bellies – the irresistible plural  – are Made in the USA, delivered gift-ready in an organza bag and currently available for purchase online.PeekABelly_001

Many Chicago area moms may recognize Sue as the founder of a popular local online resource, ChicagoKids.com, launched in 2001. “Peek-a-Belly combines the great functionality of a baby one-piece with the perk of all-day belly access,” Sue says. “It really is a unique gift for moms, as it’s not just another cute baby outfit – it’s the gift of belly access!”

Any chance there’s a size to fit my husband?

-Janet Muniz

New Rep Announcements


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We’ve heard the news from many brands about new representation all across  the country and Canada. Here’s a list of just a few:

Donald Sutton of Dallas, TX-based  Brentwood Sales signs on to represent Wee Squeak covering the Southwest U. S. Danielle Fyfe and Danielle Elizabeth Designs partners with Kids At Home for sales in Texas, Oklahoma, Louisiana and Arkansas. Carolina Baby Company, a manufacturer’s rep group based in the Southeast, partners with the original Tummy Tub, designed in the Netherlands to ease the transition of a newborn from the mother’s womb.

Cindy Deloach joins Gossip Girl as Midwest sales representative for the Gossip Girl and Hula Star swimwear brands. Cindy is the VP of sales at Martha Foster Group based in the Dallas Market Center, an organization run by women representing women’s and children’s products with over 30 years of experience in the children’s wear market.

San Francisco-based Velvet & Tweed partners with the Paperdoll Style showroom in the California Market Center, to represent the line in the Western U. S. Owner/designer Tina Schreiber is now introducing her fourth Spring/Summer 2010 collection.

Two more showrooms sign on to represent LamanBlu in the South and Southwest: Button Up! and Lace and Denim. Another Colorado-based company, ANNA’S Preemie, adds Steve and Cynthia Ecton to handle representation of the brand in Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Texas, Oklahoma, Missouri, Memphis and the Mobile area.

Made in the USA brand Bunny and Bee adds new reps Alejandra Keenan, handling Florida and Puerto Rico, Lisa Brookover in Georgia, Alabama, North and South Carolina and Ginger Baby’s Janelle O’Donnell and Shonna Johnson to serve Western Canada. Los Angeles, CA-based Rock Candy Kids is the new representative for another Made in the USA brand Bobinette in California, Arizona, Colorado, Utah, Nevada, New Mexico and Hawaii.

See Kai Run grows with the addition of new sales reps in the Eastern and Midwest regions  of the U. S., adding 13 new states in all. Washington D.C.-based Shari Lehrer represents the brand in  Washington D.C., Delaware, Maryland, Pennsylvania and Virginia. Kristine Prugh and her sales associate Gillian Fincher are covering Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Ohio and Wisconsin.

-Janet Muniz

That’s a SkidDERS shoe!


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You’ve probably seen them in children’s boutiques – and HUDSON’S got the scoop directly from Michael Matalon, president of parent company Celebrity International, Inc., for our June 2009 issue – but are you still wondering what they’re all about?

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SkidDERS is a footwear collection for infants learning to stand and walk. A cross between slipper, bootie and shoe, the SkidDERS collection is available in over 500 stores across America and Canada.

SkidDERS_kidsJust this month, SkidDERS launches more than 30 new styles, complete with newly designed, retail-friendly packaging. By working with Nickelodeon using their characters SpongeBob SquarePants and Dora the Explorer along with a number of other licenses, Michael’s intent is to build SkidDERS as the primary brand in the sock/shoe category.

Oh, and one more thing: retailers can place wholesale orders online.

-Janet Muniz

LA Kids Market Launches This Weekend


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This weekend (August 7 – 11), during the Holiday/Resort 2009 Los Angeles Fashion Market, the California Market Center (CMC) and Kids on 6 are hosting the launch of the LA Kids Market.

LAKIDS_banner2A new “show within a show,” the LA Kids Market takes place on floors 6A and 6B of the CMC and features increased amenities and services to help buyers navigate over 600 kids and maternity apparel, accessories and lifestyle resources.  “The launch of the LA Kids Market will bring increased awareness to Kids on 6, and the amount of kids and maternity resources at the CMC,” says Joanne Lee, SVP of the CMC. “Buyers have a one-stop-shop opportunity for the best kids and maternity products available that they can’t find anywhere else but Kids on 6 at the CMC.”

The CMC is also hosting another part to the CMC Retailer Seminar Series on Friday, August 7 from 12:30pm – 1:30pm. Shahin Kohan, CEO and Founder of Focal Technology Solutions, is moderating a panel discussing, “Creating an Effective E-commerce Website for Increased Sales and Profitability.”

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Come on out and get to know Kids on 6 – it’s a fabulous family of dedicated children’s wear professionals ready to help make your shop shine! Not to mention the inside info you can get from the CMC’s Retailer Seminar Series.

It’s all good!

-Janet Muniz