Donations Pour In To Help Haiti

“Small business can make a big difference. If we pull together and each contribute what we can, I think we’ll create something really powerful.”

-Annie Salyer, president, No Slippy Hair Clippy®

The two-hour Hope for Haiti Now: A Global Benefit for Earthquake Relief telethon which aired on more than 30 networks on Friday, January 22, raised more than $57 million in public donations, with more being tallied from corporations, larger private donors. In addition, Hope for Haiti Now is the top-selling iTunes album in 18 countries, making it the biggest single day album pre-order for iTunes ever. Donate by visiting HopeForHaitiNow.org or by calling 877-99-HAITI.

Kids in Distressed Situations, Inc. (K.I.D.S.) has worked in Haiti through various partners for 15 years, and since the first news reports of the Haiti earthquake tragedy has been working to get donations of new underwear, clothes, water, vitamin bars, blankets, diapers and other supplies for distribution in Haiti. More than 65 donor companies have already provided or pledged close to $6 million worth of product. K.I.D.S. takes donations of only new products, using industry contacts to get what the Haitian people will need most in the coming weeks and months as they rebuild. Products that are needed for immediate relief efforts include clothes, socks, underwear and blankets. Companies with NEW product to donate can call 1-800-266-3314 for assistance or use the online form at www.kidsdonations.org/Make_Donation/product_form.cfm

K.I.D.S. is accepting cash donations to help defray the costs to distribute the donated product today and in the months to come. For every $10 in cash, K.I.D.S. can deliver at least $100 of donated products. Cash donations can be taken online at: www.kidsdonations.org/haiti.

Hair Clips for Haiti is helping to raise funds for the Haitian relief effort by children’s hair accessory company No Slippy Hair Clippy®. “Small business can make a big difference,” says Annie Salyer, the company’s president. “If we pull together and each contribute what we can, I think we’ll create something really powerful.” A portion of the company’s online sales will be donated to UNICEF, supporting the humanitarian efforts of U.S. Fund for UNICEF Ambassador Tea Leoni, and Save The Children® with support for Save the Children® Ambassador Joely Fisher. Please visit http://www.hairclippy.com for more information and the opportunity to contribute.

Recording artist and fashion designer Jessica Simpson along with celebrity hair stylists Ken Paves and CaCee Cobb team up with Soles4Souls® through 50KShoes.com to raise funds to send immediate relief to the people of Haiti. Donating is easy at www.50Kshoes.com. The suggested donation is very affordable, with $5.00 buying two pairs of new shoes. The charity has already pledged one million pairs of shoes to be distributed to Haitians during a sustained giving plan in coordination with other agencies. Money raised here goes specifically toward the Haitian relief effort. Through social media, Jessica, Ken and CaCee’s support will help spread the charity’s mission to Change the World, One Pair at a Time. Fans can followthe celebrities on Twitter at http://twitter.com/jessicasimpson, http://twitter.com/kenpaves, and http://twitter.com/caceecobb.

New Service for West Coast Businesses

Karie Reynolds of Grand Avenue PR usually gets in touch when she’s got news about a client … but this time she wants to let me know what she’s been up to.

“My business partner and I have opened the Grand Avenue Baby showroom at the California Market Center,” she announces. “A new concept in the category, we launched the showroom to help emerging and established mom and baby lines connect the dots between PR and sales.”

Located on Kids on 6 at the Los Angeles, CA venue – touted as is “the most popular and largest showcase among the United States, with over 600 premium brands from around the world” – the Grand Avenue Baby showroom serves two very important purposes:

1) it provides emerging companies an opportunity to benefit from Grand Avenue PR’s media and influencer relationships and

2) it offers established children’s lines additional exposure to trend-setting West Coast retailers.

Karie tells me that Grand Avenue PR is the only PR firm in the juvenile products category to offer this unprecedented opportunity to combine sales and public relations.

In addition, the brick-and-mortar showroom works together with the online showroom at www.grandavenuebaby.com to feature a unique, hand-picked mix of quality brands – and more.

“Visitors to the Web site gain access to product information as well as Grand Avenue Baby blog posts on industry trends and highlights, products, topics and expert commentary and opinions,” Karie says. “Visitors to the showroom in the California Market Center have the opportunity to ‘touch and feel’ product and see it showcased in a retail environment.”

Grand Avenue PR founders Karie Reynolds and Barbie Dávalos opened the Grand Avenue Baby showroom in December 2009 with established sales representative Michael Gonzales of Metropolitan Kids.

Cool Beans, Guys!

-Janet Muniz

***NEWS FLASH*** Macy’s announces a new program, Macy’s Open Call, created to offer apparel and accessories designers not yet Macy’s vendors the opportunity to introduce their work to Macy’s Fashion Office.

“Macy’s is continuing to invest in new endeavors that focus on inspiring our customer,” says Nicole Fischelis, GVP fashion director. “The program confirms our commitment to featuring the latest trends by finding up-and-coming talent who can offer us product and design perspectives that are fresh and original.”

The program is available to all designers who are at least 18 years old and use EDI compliant manufacturing facilities. Apply online thru January 31 at www.macysinc.com/opencall. The actual Open Call event is scheduled for February 25 and 26 at Macy’s Herald Square in New York, NY.

Perfect Winter Pick-Me-Up: PJs!

I don’t know about you, but I do my best thinking in my pajamas.

Yep. Perhaps it’s because I’m a morning person, and I tend to write early in the morning, before the sun comes up, sitting at my computer in my pajamas.

Too much information? Ah, well … here’s another thought: it’s a cold winter Saturday morning. What better for kids to play in than their favorite comfy, warm PJs? You just know I’m a fan.

Children’s clothing company Douglas & Cocoa creates those perfect PJ’s for new little ones and their big brothers and sisters. Sweet kimonos for baby, Asian-inspired PJs for siblings plus cozy blankets for all.

Owner/designer Kendal is the mother of three little boys. She’s combined her love of designing clothes with her Master’s degree in Asian art history to create a unique line of PJs – the perfect winter pick-me-up. “The special bond between my boys inspired me to design pajama sets for babies and toddlers in matching vivid colors and prints, sets that could be worn day or night,” she says.

The company’s New Mission collection features three specific items: Kung Fu PJs and matching Kimono sets – monogramming is also available for an added specialty – plus ultra cozy blankets, which Kendal thinks is essential in a mom’s tool kit. “As a mother I have learned the value of a good blanket, one that is cuddly, but also durable,” she says.

Douglas & Cocoa is based in Hong Kong and New York, and Kendal not only designs PJs, but collections and resort wear for both boys and girls (gee, a trip to Bali does sounds great right about now). I especially love the story about her company’s name, as I’m a cat person … and so is Douglas, apparently. Cocoa is his beloved stuffed kitty.

I still have my favorite stuffed animal from my childhood sitting on my desk, Douglas. Right in back of my computer, where I sit in my pajamas and work!

-Janet Muniz

Happy Birthday to Us!

Just five years ago, HUDSON’S Childrenswear Review was a newborn! It’s fun to look back, and realize just how this this labor of love started …

I met Tom Hudson and Margaret Mobius in La Jolla, CA several months before our first publishing deadline. We enjoyed several strong Starbuck’s coffees together outside on the terrace, talking about their dream of a comprehensive, high-quality, fun publication the celebrates all things kid.

Now, we’re Celebrating 5 Years of covering one of the most tightly-knit, camaraderie-driven industries that succeeds today. We love the children’s wear business – it nourishes us, keeps us inspired … it’s like family. And as Tom says, “these past five years with HUDSON’S have been my most rewarding.”

Since that twinkle in their eye, HUDSON’S has made downtown Long Beach, CA home, added key staff members, traveled to trade shows and markets all over the country, published more than 40 issues of beautiful pictures, well-written words covering every aspect of the children’s wear market – and more. We’re growing just like children grow. And enjoying every minute of it.

It’s gratifying to know that our pages continue to be filled with so many new and wonderful collections, accessories and footwear – products that make life a little more comfortable, stylish and enjoyable not just for kids, but for parents, too.

And the news about the industry – and business in general – continues to encourage success. Here’s to another great year of moving forward.

“HUDSON’S would not be possible without the support of retailers, designers, manufacturers and sales reps, the folks who manage trade shows, the direction of all our staff and the loyalty of our readers, supporters and friends,” Tom says. “To you, I give my greatest thanks.”

Tom speaks for all of us here at HUDSON’S … our heartfelt thanks for a fantastic birthday!

-Janet Muniz