That Madonna Girl

Made in the USA and over-the-moon popular from New York to London.

From Paris Hilton to Kate Middleton –yes, new mom Kate- the floral crown hair style is the hottest trend hitting runways and must-be-seen events this summer.

And celebrity designer Michelle Madonna has created this phenomenon with her line of accessories, That Madonna Girl –TMG for short.

The charming flower headbands (called “halos” in flower child speak), sunglasses and floppy hats adorned with daisies or roses are all the rage at music festivals and celebrity events. The look is very romantic, free-spirited and appropriate for “flower children” of all ages.

Made in the USA. Currently Michelle makes over 20 different styles of halos by hand, in her upper East Side studio in New York. Available in a variety of sizes, colors and patterns and sporting a TMG-beaded trademark, each halo style is inspired by and named for one of her friends.

Michelle plans a more earth-toned halo color story for the fall, and will also introduce a line of bracelets, too.

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!

Hello Beach

Enjoy beachcombing for the rest of the summer -and beyond- with these versatile, Made in the USA bags.

Self-proclaimed “gift engineer” Francene Dudziec is owner of Monogram Muse, a personalized gift boutique and “celebration studio” (who wouldn’t love that?). Voted Gifted Retailer 2010 by Gifts and Decorative Accessories magazine, Francene also created Locate The Lights, an online guide to find Christmas lights, holiday light shows, decorated homes and inflatable displays that are free to the public all over America. And she’s a contributing writer/craft editor for The Valley’s Child, published by the Scranton-Times Tribune, and a guest contributor at WNEP-TV Scranton.

She’s also a pretty busy creative business owner.

Francene recently launched Hello Beach, trendy shell-collecting bags for anyone who loves beachcombing.

“Our product fosters creativity and exploration for kids!” Francene says. “Our darling beachcomber bags are perfect for exploring coastal shores, collecting treasures or rocks along seaside or lake. It’s unique mesh bottom allows for the sand to sift out and shells and treasures can be rinsed directly in the ocean.”

These new patent-pending beachcomber bags for both kids and adults are available in two sizes and four colors. Personalize with destinations, such as Treasures from the Lake, My First Shells from the Myrtle Beach, Future Beachcomber and more. The bags also come blank for monogramming.

Handmade in the USA … by Mom. Mom to two daughters, Francene is also a Pennsylvania-based CPSC-Small Batch Manufacturer who makes Hello Beach bags in a 100% cotton top and a durable woven mesh bottom. “They work great as a market tote, too. You can rinse your produce directly within the bag,” she says.

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!

Sweet Bzz & Daisies

One-of-a-kind signature dresses for special occasions.

After retiring from a career in aerospace engineering, Dipa Suri rediscovered her creative side after her niece was born, which inspired her to take up heirloom sewing. With a wealth of talent in embellishment techniques, tailoring and Japanese embroidery, she designs a collection of special occasion dresses called Sweet Bzz & Daisies to reflect her love of nature.

The Sweet Bzz & Daisies line has given me a creative, tangible way to celebrate the beauty we find all around us in nature.

Recently, Dipa has expanded the dress line that celebrates special moments with luxurious materials, detailed construction and one-of-a-kind designs rarely found in children’s wear, available for sale on a new ecommerce site SweetBzzandDaisies.com. With it intuitive layout, clearly labeled categories and enhanced product images, customers get a better view of the intricate details on each garment, and can shop with ease.

“I’m excited that the expanded selection will give more little girls the opportunity to dress in a garment created especially for her,” Dipa says. “And the new website allows consumers to get into the Sweet Bzz & Daisies spirit immediately while shopping for their little ones.”

Create Exclusive Wardrobes for Your Children. The Sweet Bzz and Daisies collection now spans lightweight spring/summer dresses and luxurious fall/holiday looks perfect for weddings, religious occasions, holidays, birthdays and picture days. One-of-a-kind designs feature heirloom-quality materials and embellishments that make little girls feel special and cherished -combining texture, pattern, color and hand details on luxurious fabrics like dupioni silk, silk brocade, Indian Tussar silk, silk charmeuse, cotton voile, Swiss cotton batiste and tulle. Each dress is finished with French seams for comfort and durability. And the exclusive nature of each dress will be appreciated by discerning mothers and grandmothers who wish to create unique wardrobes for their children.

Inspired by Nature. Through exquisite details like petal collars, vine embroidery, hand-painted butterflies and ribbon rosettes, Dipa’s designs replicate nature’s intricate patterns and delicate touch. Smocking, hand beading, imported lace trims, decorative buttons and feminine bows adorn a timeless collection that blooms with flora and fauna references, age-appropriate and mom-approved.

The line also includes layering pieces, including sweaters, coats and jackets to complement select styles. Full skirts for twirling and accents that twinkle also appeal to a girl’s sense of style and current fashion trends.

Singular Creations. Because the dresses are singular creations, there is only one of each offered in the stated size. The Sunnyvale, CA-based company happily accommodates special order requests, special designs for bridal parties and more. Simply contact Dipa – like a flower or a snowflake, each dress in the line is unique, underscoring her belief that each child has her own personality, which deserves to be celebrated.

Another Caletha Crawford 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!

Little Flock of Horrors

From pet project to designed line – here come the beasties.

Little Flock of Horrors | merino for little monsters is a new line of fashion-inspired casualwear that is handmade in New Zealand from 100% New Zealand merino.

We’re all about embracing kid’s’ inner monsters and capturing those moments.

Lucy and Fran Wildman are parents to Iggy and Frankie –the two little monsters who inspire the couple’s brand. When her son was born in the middle of a particularly cold winter, Lucy happened to find some garments made from merino wool, which kept him warm and comfortable. “The only problem was that the silhouettes and cuts were traditional and pretty blah,” Lucy says. So she bought herself a sewing machine and merino, making up clothes for him, stylish enough for friends to notice her gift of color combining. After her daughter was born 18 months later, Little Flock of Horrors went from a pet project to a designed line.

“We’re not a fluffy and soft baby brand, we’re honest,” Lucy says.”I lived in the US for almost a decade working in snowboarding/action sports before moving back to New Zealand with my husband four years ago to start our business. We get Americans. Now we just need to show them why they should be wearing merino!”

If you’ve never been to New Zealand, you may be interested to know that the “sheep-to-person ratio” there is a little over seven sheep per person. The wool from those merino sheep makes THE ultimate fabric, and New Zealand makes the best merino in the world. And here’s why your children should be wearing merino:

It’s 100% natural, biodegradable, totally renewable and sustainable
It’s the only fabric that naturally breathes and controls moisture
It’s antimicrobial, hypoallergenic and antibacterial
It’s flame retardant and self-extinguishing
It’s machine washable and can be tumble-dried
And might I add luxurious, sleek and beautiful, too!

Currently available for sale online, Lucy and Fran recently launched a Kickstarter campaign and are heading to New York City for this weekend’s retail tradeshows to show a Spring ’14 collection of drop-crotch pants, dipped hem tops, skinny leggings, kimono wrap tops, slouchie beanies, fingerless gloves and more.

“We’re pretty sure that you’ll have similar styles in your wardrobe already,” they say. “The only difference is Little Flock of Horrors clothing is made of 100% New Zealand merino in New Zealand.”

And what a difference it is!

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!

Bella Bundles™

Lux baby gear and layette that’s beautiful and functional.

Julie Feldman has a passion for fabric and design, a preference for stylish, cozy, blankets, bibs and towels –and the practicality to bring it all together in one brand of luxury accessories for Moms everywhere.

Julie is the founder, designer and creator of Bella Bundles™, a functional line of baby gear and layette inspired by her young daughter.

Bella Bundles™ delivers products that have solved many of the issues I found as a consumer.

As a Mom looking for nothing but the best for her baby, Julie found blankets, bibs and towels were never soft enough, or stylish enough –not to mention practical enough. Bibs were always too short and not reversible. Blankets would immediately fall to the ground and get dirty, or fail to protect her daughter from the sun or keep her warm. Hooded towels fell open leaving little ones cold. Nothing let her nurse discreetly in public.

So Julie started to make her own blankets, bibs and towels:

Stylish bibs that are long, reversible and have a terry cloth bottom to cover/wipe messy spills
The Blanket on the Go™ blankets that snaps onto strollers and carriers, and safely snap around mommy’s neck, providing coverage while nursing.
Towels made with a snap closure at the nape of the neck, keeping children warm and bundled

Made in the USA. An eco-conscious company, Bella Bundles are made in the States, using certified fabric vendors that practice high business standards. The company also tries not to let anything go to waste, creating luxury wipes from fabric scraps, which were recently nominated for an Eco Excellence Award.

For the Hippest Bundle in Your Life. “Our products fit the modern mom who wants style in anything she puts put on her child,” Julie says. “Our products also need to be usable, wearable and practical. All items are designed with function and comfort in mind.”

Currently sold in select boutiques and stores throughout the USA, Canada and Australia; as well as online.

Another Rachel Florio PR 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!

Baby Wit

Show the world your baby has serious style.

BabyWit.com‘s quirky, eclectic t-shirts for children is the largest collection of comic infant and toddler t-shirts on the Internet, according to founder Rosalee Rester. You can also find one-pieces, bibs, dresses, blankets, slippers and other accessories in funky, alternative prints.

Apparently, Rosalee started Baby Wit because she was tired of seeing cute rainbows, hearts and bears on baby shirts (“Especially bears. We hated bears.”). More to the point, Rosalee’s designs for kids clothing reveal quite a sense of humor, with an adult sensibility. And for the past 10 years, the rock-inspired Baby Wit brand has become quite popular, too.

Our best sellers come from pop culture icons and the music you love, that someday your baby will grow to appreciate, too.

Tragically Hip. Consider Baby Wit’s shopping categories:

rock baby clothes (Sonic Youth, Sex Pistols)
unique art on baby clothes (DAVe Warnke, Option-G)
conscientious baby clothes (Stephen Colbert, Protester, Emma Goldman)
funny baby clothes (“My Mama Drinks Because I Cry,” “If You Think I’m Good Lookin’ You Should See My Uncle,” Jon Stewart)
celebrity baby clothes (Hitchcock, Bukowski, Bill Murray, Clint Eastwood)
select clothes are also available for women, men and dogs -yep, your family pet!

Made in the USA. Baby Wit infant and toddler clothing is made from sustainable fabrics, and is hand-pressed using retro iron-on transfers, or hand-printed using non-toxic water based inks. Everything is cut, sewn and printed in Portland, OR.

Baby Wit is a Small Itty Bitty Tiny Single Mom Run Business. “It’s just me holding down the fort,” Rosalee says. “This past year I’ve had to lay off my last employee, so it’s just me running the shop now,” Rosalee says. “Yes, I’m the one answering the phones, your emails, making all your shirts, folding them, packing them and labeling them. Sorry for the crappy gift wrapping. I seem to be lacking in that department. Patience is appreciated! A shout out and hearty thank you to all my current customers.”

Not so fast.

She may be running Baby Wit by herself these days, but Rosalee is continually at the forefront of the alternative clothing movement, being one the first manufacturers to market with rock clothing for babies. She makes an effort to introduce new and revolutionary concepts to the shopping public all the time – like her new brand Yankers, a clothing line made especially for easy diaper changes.

I say Rock On, Rosalee.

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!

Yankers®

Easy Access, Easy Changing: Yankers Débuts Smart New Way To Dress Children

After enduring countless diaper changes involving multiple snaps, noisy Velcro, irritating zippers and binding elastic waistbands, children’s clothing designer Rosalee Rester creates a comfortable, simple alternative for babies and children.

Yankers® is a brand new clothing concept for easy diaper changing débuting a new collection this Fall. These stylish all-in-one outfits have no snaps, zippers, button, Velcro™, elastic or other fasteners to contend with.

As a mom I know exactly what it’s like to struggle with kicking legs, tons of snaps and out-of-control rollers. My innovative design allows you to pull the stretchy legs down and off to change baby fast and easy.

Yankers in Action. For a diaper change, simply yank down on the back panel, guiding the baby’s knees out. The top stays put the entire time to keep baby warm during the change. When you’re done, guide baby’s feet back into pant legs and yank up on the panel, for that Mom-approved finish!

“I loved the concept of an all-in-one outfit that I could grab out of a drawer in the dark, not having to worry about matching tops to bottoms,” Rosalee says, “and have my baby dressed in a stylish outfit without ever having snapped even one snap.”

Made in the USA. Yankers is a women-owned and operated apparel company that makes modern, sustainable clothing for children, manufactured in the United States of America using natural and breathable fabrics -blends of cotton, bamboo, model and spandex. (I love this: the company says that occasionally, they employ men as slaves!). Yankers are available in sizes 0 to 3T at www.yankersbaby.com.

Born in 2008. Rosalee spent five years researching and developing her revolutionary idea, testing eight different patterns before perfecting the Yankers® design. The Fall ’13 début collection features a green, red and black color palette with optional ruffle and pocket details. In addition to the solid colors, Yankers with Buddha, Heart Bolt, Star Bolt and an adorable “Baby Nerd” tie and pocket protector design are also available.

Interested in a unique color? Ask for special hand-dyed custom-colored Yankers.

Rosalee is also the founder of Baby Wit, one the first manufacturers to market with rock clothing for babies. Check back tomorrow to find out more!

Another Magnolia PR 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!

Dots on Tots

Head gear for babies and toddlers made from 100% all-natural, certified organic cotton.

Do you realize? Newborn skin is often very sensitive and needs to be protected –from the sun, potential allergic reactions and other environmental factors.

That’s why Dots on Tots was born – to help new moms everywhere take the best care of their child’s beautiful skin.

“An important aspect of keeping children healthy is to protect their ears, and this is what led me to design the unique ‘aviator’ hat,” says owner/designer Olivia Entin. As a mother of two who knows the importance of natural, comfortable clothing for babies, Olivia’s innovative hat design features flaps that protect infants and toddlers from cold weather and wind, as well as ear, nose and throat infections. In addition, special ear protection hats feature inserts that help reduce noise by 50%, shielding infants and toddlers’ delicate ears from loud sounds.

Made in the USA. Olivia holds a Master’s Degree in fashion design and technology, an d understands that children are usually more sensitive to synthetic chemicals -which is why Dots on Tots knotted hats, reversible sun hats and special ear protection hats are Made in the USA from organic cotton, organic cotton fleece and merino wool manufactured in the USA. All hats are eco-friendly, breathable, irritant-free and non-allergic.

In addition, Dots on Tots hats are absolutely seamless for extra comfort, double-layered and feature adjustable soft Velcro closure on the flaps. Available in sizes infant to 4T; purchase online at www.dotsontots.com.

Thanks, Candace Disler of 5WPR.COM for introducing me to Dots on Tots! 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!

Pink Olive School

Pink Olive is a whimsical boutique filled with beautiful gifts that make you smile.

Ever since savvy entrepreneur Grace Kang opened Pink Olive in 2007, I’ve been a fan. The former buyer for Bloomingdale’s, Saks.com and Barney’s New York has curated a treasure box of wonderful things for people of all ages –not only in New York’s East Village, Manhattan and Brooklyn’s Park Slope neighborhoods but online as well. Whether it’s working with local artists, artisans and small businesses, to celebrating their wonderful customers, to championing local charities and other causes, the Pink Olive team strives to discover creative products that inspire giving and beautiful living.

“Our recent venture, OliveBox (a monthly subscription service), has been a wonderful expansion of this mission, building on our community from New York to California to Canada,” Grace tells me, “working hand in hand with companies we never would have had the chance to work with otherwise.”

We are stronger together than we are alone.

Pink Olive School. Now, Grace and her team are taking their commitment one step further, with the introduction of Pink Olive School.

“While we have always loved showcasing local talent, and working with designers, now is the time to expand in our mission to mentor creative product-based entrepreneurs to step up and thrive in this ever changing economy,” Grace says. “Without the diverse array of creative products, stores would all look the same and customers will leave uninspired. You wouldn’t want that, right?”

Creatives, Small Businesses and Local Talent –Take Note! Pink Olive School is a one-stop opportunity to start and grow your creative business. By mentoring creative product makers of all kinds, Pink Olive School can help you take your creative passion into a sustainable business. Grace says, “Whether you’re in the very beginning stages of development, or have a fully functioning business, we can help take you to the next level.”

Congratulations, Grace and Pink Olive! If you share Grace’s mission, please email her at hello@pinkoliveschool.com. “In celebration of our launch and my birthday month, I have a special gift that I am offering creative makers want to create a product business they love,” Grace says. Click here for details.

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!