Baby Rock Apparel

Tampa, FL-based Baby Rock Apparel, Inc. introduces a new fall collection of trendy kids t-shirts. The company adds to the line of baby clothes and gifts about twice a year and the new styles feature several music-inspired designs made from a soft tri-blend fabric as well as classic 100% cotton.

Baby Rock is also inspired by classic Hollywood with the first “Marilyn – Star” design featuring a Marilyn Monroe image on vintage white burnout 100% cotton; another is “Lessons for Life,” featuring a fist surrounded by motivating words that kids can live by, like courage, strength, power, discipline, respect and perseverance – made from 100% cotton.

“We launched these new designs on our website and within a few days we were already sold-out of most of the t-shirts,” president Kim Strayer tells HCRSourceBook, “so we’re quite pleased with the initial response from our awesome customer base.”

The new designs join Baby Rock Apparel’s best-selling trademarked collection found in over 200 stores and boutiques in the U.S., Canada and Europe and by visiting the company’s website and TrendyRemedy.com. Wholesale inquiries are welcome. Contact info@babyrockapparel.com or 813.282.3987.

-Janet Muniz

What’s a SwitchittZ?

SwitchittZ are specially made, interchangeable, embellished attachable characters and other graphic elements that kids can place right into the design of the shirt to create customized looks.

Not-quite-one-year-old Thread Adventures™ is a New York-based company dedicated to creating products that encourage creativity in the young and young at heart. This fall, Thread Adventures introduces a new interactive clothing experience with SwitchittZ tees, which give kids the power to not only choose a favorite look, but switch it up in different ways.

“It’s fun to see what kids come up with when they wear their SwitchittZ,” co-creators Angela Cosentino and Mary Wassner tell HCRSourceBook. They developed the patent pending product along with their husbands and lots of input from their young children. “To us, SwitchittZ are about endless possibilities – each one unique and each one more fun than the next.”

According to them, the SwitchittZ experience combines a cool activity with the state-of-the-art style of different themes featuring fun, colorful and super-cool graphics that serve as a backdrop for kids to make their own scene. “SwitchittZ” are specially made, interchangeable, embellished attachable characters and other graphic elements that kids can place right into the design of the shirt to create customized looks. They can collect and trade SwitchittZ and wear their favorites whenever and however they choose.

Pre-washed, pre-shrunk and made from 100% cotton, each shirt comes with four interchangeable SwitchittZ, which are also sold separately. The SwitchittZ adhere easily to the shirt’s themed design with a uniquely soft, durable hook and loop fastening system.

Designed for children ages two and older, all SwitchittZ tees come in short and long sleeve styles and are available in stores starting in October/November. Thread Adventures believes that safety comes first and has implemented a fulsome testing program as required by law, including CPSC requirements.

-Janet Muniz

New Tween Line

Vancouver, WA-based Hula Mula – sister company to the popular boys collection Knuckleheads – débuts a tween line.

“We have two tweens in our home and it was because of their persistence and creative style that we added the new sizes,” co-owner and designer Melissa Nash tells HCRSourceBook.

Both of the Nash daughters were involved in the new Spring 2011 line which includes some vintage inspired pieces and comfy knits.

-Janet Muniz

Cute Shoes!

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Cute kids shoe company Livie & Luca débuts the newest addition for fall: the Just Born collection of shoes for sizes 0-6 to 18-24 months.

Featuring soft leather uppers with a recycled rubber and suede hybrid sole, these baby shoes are ideal for indoor and outdoor adventures. Find the company’s popular classic styles in these soft flexible shoes, including the London, Holland and Woodland.

Livie & Luca is also debuting their fall/winter collection for children in sizes 4 to 13, featuring the new cadet boots and ruche Mary Janes. Each style features Livie & Luca’s trademark attention to darling details, including animated elephants, rainbow buttons, blossoming flowers and chirping birds.

Livie & Luca was created in 2005 by three moms seeking modern and funky shoes that were also lightweight and flexible for active children. Dedicated to giving back, the company has partnered with Art for Humanity to donate gently-worn shoes to children in Honduras. As they have since the beginning, Livie & Luca donates 10 percent of their online sales to rotating charities.

-Janet Muniz

I Rescue Rover

I Rescue Rover Apparel is a collection of t-shirts for kids and toddlers made from organic cotton bamboo and other eco-friendly fabrics. Artist Paula Bonham features her original, animal-themed work, inspired by the many dogs she has rescued and enjoyed in her life, and also by the passion people have for their own dogs – and cats, birds, fish, horses, goats and more – (I’m a huge fan of goats!)

Other styles feature artwork from Julie Rozelle Contreras of Urban Bird Design. Artists are encouraged to submit artwork for consideration, too. Textiles include organic cotton bamboo and other eco-friendly fabrics, and I Rescue Rover exclusively partners with companies that adhere to ethical manufacturing practices.

“Be Good, Do Good, Buy Good, Feel Good” is the company’s mantra, and sales benefit animal welfare organizations such as the ASPCA, The Humane Society, Red Cross Emergency Rescue Efforts, Animal Acres, Petfinder and BestFriends.org.

Hip graphic clothes that simultaneously generate support for needy animals. Who wouldn’t like that?