Desigual

This Spanish sweetheart of fashion continues to amaze and delight.

Stop by any children’s trade show, market center floor or showroom these days, and one word seems to dominate buyers’ conversations:

Desigual. With that unusual “s”.

Pronounced de’-zē-gwal and roughly translated from Spanish to English as “different, unequal,” this global apparel company for people of all ages continues to take the children’s market by storm – thanks to a characteristically different, optimistic, uninhibited approach to clothing and accessories. The company’s eye-popping colors and innovative designs dress kids in all shades of happy. The company even teamed with Cirque du Soliel on the Rainbow collection, an artistic line for little ones inspired by the magical world of the circus.

Headquartered in Barcelona, Spain, the company makes clothes that touch the emotions. Producing at sites worldwide, carefully selected for their exacting ethical codes, Desigual designs surprise attendees each year at events such as MAGIC Marketplace Las Vegas, Bread & Butter Berlin, Who’s Next Paris and more –it’s now available for children’s buyers at The Rose Garden in New York … not to mention shoppers everywhere.

Quality of Life Clothing. Thirty years ago, Swiss-born founder and creative director Thomas Meyer envisioned a future where people dressed in a different way, in clothes that helped generate positive feelings, affordable to all. Ever since, Desigual – the business and the brand – emanates positivism, commitment, tolerance, constant improvement, innovation and fun. Today’s huge staff encompasses at least 30 different nationalities. For those that work – and wear – it, Desigual is a state of mind, as reflected in Desigual Kids’ optimistic, carefree mood – a kids collection that’s been introduced every season since 2004.

Desigualization. Desigual already enjoys a significant presence in the American market -and this is just part of the company’s future focus: to ‘desigualize’ the world. Perhaps it’s the fact that the company is wholly committed to the customer, creating experiences for them and getting them to share in the evolution of the brand. Or maybe it’s the founding philosophy inherent in each new collection.

Whatever attracts kids and parents to Desigual, it’s working.

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! Portions re-purposed from Desigual – A Global Sensation, written by Beth L. Gainer for HUDSON’S Childrenswear Review.

Jammy Jams

Giving the standard lullaby a modern day makeover, for the little rocker in all of us.

Once upon a time in another life, Jeff Bradford played drums for rock bands, touring throughout the US – most recently with Baltimore, MD-based Hollowboy. His music love began at the age of five, when he picked out a drum set for his birthday, making music in the suburbs of Washington, DC -where he was born and raised- rockin’ out whenever he could.

Yet fatherhood can change a lad, and in Jeff’s case, re-imagine what one loves the most. Three years ago, inspired by his new baby son, Rollins, Jeff came up with a way to keep the music playing.

Feedings of Inspiration. All those late nights tending to little Rollins gave Jeff the idea to take his musical career in a different direction, developing lullabies that could not only soothe and calm baby, but entertain sleep-deprived parents. “I called my Hollowboy band mate, Tim Phillips and asked him to be a part of a new project,” Jeff says. Over the next six months, the two arranged and recorded fun, modern lullaby versions of songs originally performed by bands and artists ranging from Dr. Dre and Run DMC to Lady Gaga and the Fray. In October 2011, they released three albums under the Jammy Jams brand, which has grown to include nine albums, with more on the way. Jammy Jams is recognized worldwide, garnering press in countries like Germany and available in the US, UK, France, Germany, Japan, Denmark, Norway and Australia.

Lullabies That Rock Your Baby To Sleep. Jammy Jams tunes feature the soothing sounds of vibraphone, marimba, xylophone, piano, blocks and more that are performed and arranged by Jeff and Tim. Each album also has its own original character who’s a big fan of each music genre: the original DJ The Bear loves hip-hop and prefers the classic style; Lady Ducky is quite the little diva, and loves dance and pop music; Les The Lamb is a very spiritual loves rock music; among others.

Available as CDs and MP3 downloads, the Jammy Jams’ latest, Lullabylooza, is described as ’90s Alternative Goes Lullaby, featuring lullaby versions of songs originally by Soundgarden, Stone Temple Pilots, Edwyn Collins, Oasis, Spacehog, The Cure, Faith No More, Nirvana, Toadies and Pixies.

Rock on!

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!

Red Tricycle

The buy local/shop local movement has inspired a cottage industry of resources to help you find what you’re shopping for locally.

From trend to craze to legitimate movement, buying local is catching on and fast becoming a preferred way to shop. With this spirit, this week I’m focusing on a few children’s specialty resources in my own locality.

Local Family Fun. Described as a digital city guide for parents, Red Tricycle is an online resource for parents. CEO and founder Jacqui Boland and her team are dedicated to helping parents have more fun with their kids, delivering a hot list of local things to see, kid-friendly places to eat, fun ideas for family experiences in the neighborhood and more. The free bi-weekly email newsletter is dedicated to a neighborhood, in fact –in my case, Seattle- as well as Portland, San Francisco, Los Angeles, SoCal, Chicago, New York … and counting. The company is on its way to becoming “the leader in local family fun in every major metro market,” expanding to almost a 500, 000 readership and poised to offer a mobile app.

For Jacquie, Red Tricycle originally filled a need to connect with other parents who were experiencing the newness of parenthood. The company is always looking for those must-have recommendations from “hip people who happen to be parents, too” – from where to stage fun birthday parties to ideas for kids rooms, travel, Moms Night Out, Daddy DIY and Crafty Mama projects, where to eat, recipes and more.

Known for the Totally Awesome Awards –where users can nominate their “favorite kid everything,” and win prizes, too – Red Tricycle was named the Best Parenting Web Resource, Seattle Magazine in 2007.

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 Quadoo Consignment

Search the words, “shop local” “buy local” and you’ll find quite the populated list of results on your computer screen.

From trend to craze to legitimate movement, buying local is catching on and fast becoming a preferred way to shop. The movement has inspired a cottage industry of resources to help you find what you’re shopping for locally, too –from the aol.com partner Patch.com to local campaigns from RelyLocal.com, ShopLocal.com and more. And moms have led the cause.

In the spirit of buying local, this week I’m focusing on a few children’s specialty retailers in my own locality.

Do you Quadoo? Established in 2010, Little Quadoo Consignment is located in downtown Renton, WA and offers “one of the least stressful kids shopping experiences you’ll ever have,” say the folks at red tricycle, a local resource for parents, which recently gave Little Quadoo the 2012 Totally Awesome Award as Sensational Resale Store. “They have quite a thorough item acceptance policy, so moms won’t have to worry about quality being second-rate.”

Owner Danielle Gould has filled a real need in the Renton area, with a specialty kids shop where customers can consign and purchase children’s merchandise. With over 800 consigner accounts, Little Quadoo focuses on gently used, high-quality children’s clothing and accessories up to size 10, and carries a wide range of other things like shoes, gifts, books, toys and maternity. The store has also built a nice online community on Facebook, too –where neighbors connect with Danielle and her team, finding out about everything from sales to particular items for sale.

Custom Orders. Looking for a unique birthday gift? Little Quadoo fills orders for custom-made capes. Retailing for just $14, you can pick the color and the super hero letter, too.

Danielle tells the Renton Patch that the “quadoo” in Little Quadoo is a made-up word her son Nathaniel uses for garage doors.

Little Quadoo Consignment, 601 S 3rd St., Renton WA 98057, 425-572-6261

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!

Creative Mom Toys

From trend to craze to legitimate movement, buying local is catching on and fast becoming a preferred way to shop.

Search the words, “shop local” “buy local” and you’ll find quite the populated list of results on your computer screen. The movement has inspired a cottage industry of resources to help you find what you’re shopping for locally, too –from the aol.com partner Patch.com to local campaigns from RelyLocal.com, ShopLocal.com and more. And moms have led the cause.

In the spirit of buying local, this week I’m focusing on a few children’s specialty retailers in my own locality.

Creative Mom Toys. Owner Cheri Saburi opened Creative Mom Toys in Renton, WA’s The Landing on Black Friday 2010. Located south of Seattle, the store is a treasure trove of educational and developmental toys for children of all ages, including their parents.

This store is for parents who want to give their kids ‘toys with a purpose.’ Everything has been carefully selected for both its entertainment and fun value. Great toys and online store!

-Thomas K, Renton

Engaging Creativity. Cheri says the mission of Creative Mom Toys is to encourage children to play without the need for modern technology. “We know how hard it is to find rich and engaging products that stimulate, educate and enrich the minds of our children,” she says. Shoppers can find wooden toys, entertaining books and more from top notch companies such as Haba, Melissa and Doug, Automoblox, Manhattan Toy, P’Kolino, Plan Toys, Back Alley Traders, Workman Publishing, Kathe Kruse, Vilac, Seedling, Green Toys, Uncle Goose, Eeboo, Mudpuppy and others. She’s always excited to learn about new products, too -especially from her customers. “Send us an email explaining what you’d be interested in and we will do our best to accommodate your needs.”

In 2005, Cheri started her store online while living in Japan –and with its success, opened her first brick-and-mortar storefront based in the U.S. Since then, Creative Mom Toys has received the Parent Best Toy Store Award of 2011 as well as being honored as a finalist in Red Tricycle’s 2012 Totally Awesome Awards for Best Toy Store.

Cheri’s career specialty is education, having spent time working in several local school districts before taking time to raise her own children. Kids and parents can also enjoy custom birthday parties and other special activities and events held in Creative Mom Toy’s fun and colorful space. Shop for bags and children’s accessories, too.

Creative Mom Toys at The Landing in Renton, 840 N. 10th Pl. Suite A, Renton WA 98057, 206-388-3940

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!

keekoo’s New BID2WIN Events

Beginning February 1, keekoo.com is launching an exciting new event for baby gear.

New Jersey-based keekoo.com, the flash-sale website devoted exclusively to providing discounted premiere bump to baby products, is launching a new daily bid event called BID2WIN.

“Necessity baby gear such as strollers are notoriously difficult to find in discount online or brick and mortar stores,” says keekoo co-founder Scott Whitley, “but keekoo’s BID2WIN events allow every shopper the opportunity to win baby gear at great prices.” Launching Friday February 1 (that’s tomorrow!), members can make a bid on a plethora of top-quality baby gear such as strollers, high chairs, carriers and more. The team at keekoo takes the offer to the manufacturer in real time, and if accepted, awards the gear to the shopper at their offer bid or better.

What’s more, the first BID2WIN STROLLERS event also includes free shipping on all strollers won by shoppers!

Become a registered member of keekoo today, using this special invite from Children’s Retail Today, and get it in gear with a winning bid, starting February 1. Membership is free – and remember, members enjoy up to 80% off fabulous maternity, beauty, nursing, baby apparel, gifts, accessories and newborn gear during special sales events created just for you.

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!

Good For You Girls

All natural, organic skincare specifically formulated for the special needs of young skin.

“Good For You Girls® is a line of all-natural skin care for the beauty beginner,” owner Kim Grustas tells me. “Meant to be a girl’s first skincare routine, our products help moms teach healthy habits while keeping girls away from chemicals during a crucial time in their bodies’ development.”

Since 2008, Kim’s Connecticut-based company has been making a complete line of personal care products such as the Skin Care Starter Kit, Gel Cleaner, Blemish Wash, Purifying Toner, Moisturizer, Body Wash, Body Shimmer Lotion, deodorant and more using formulas created from the finest blends of organic extracts and natural botanicals.

True beauty comes from within. Respect yourself and take time to see the beauty in others.

Made in the USA. Kim tells me the Good For You Girls skincare line is the safest, most effective product line out there for young skin -a leader in fact. This means NO parabens, sulfates, phthalates, propylene glycol, mineral oils, silicone, synthetic fragrance or dyes. Products ARE gluten-free and vegan-approved, though!

We believe beautiful skin is natural skin. We are committed to making truly effective skincare without harmful or questionable ingredients.

Chemicals found in standard skincare products enter the body through the skin, and can be irritating as well as harmful. Committed to the belief that health should never be sacrificed for beauty, Kim and her team are taking responsibility for educating children about these dangers, making products that contain good-for-your-skin ingredients that are both beneficial and beautifying. “Good habits start at a young age,” Kim says. “We hope to give girls the confidence to face the world, knowing how truly beautiful they are on the inside and the outside.

Available online and in select stores.

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!

kissy kissy

One of the premiere American brands of layette, the kissy kissy label showcases fine Pima cotton.

Award-winning kissy kissy is a charming collection from New Jersey-based Tatiana and Company, owned and managed by women. Featuring what’s considered the world’s softest fabric for babies, the line is made from Peruvian Pima cotton.

We pride ourselves in creating quality products with infinite attention to detail, resulting in Earnie Awards for Design Excellence. Known for our trademark softness, we use only the highest quality Peruvian Pima cotton so that the most luxurious and gentlest fabric touches a baby’s skin.

Named after the Pima Indians, Pima cotton originates on the Peruvian coast. Prized the world over for exceptional softness and brilliant luster, Peruvian Pima cotton is especially durable and highly resistant to pilling.

Tatiana and Company’s operation in Peru includes a team of local artisans -mothers and grandmothers who make by hand the embroideries that set kissy kissy apart from many other lines. Garments are produced in accordance with the rules and regulations of the Business Alliance for Secure Commerce (BASC).

Traditional layette with an innovative twist. Timeless details, whimsical prints and splashes of color characterize this 15-year-old brand, which has grown to include kissy kissy Premier, featuring delicate hand-embroideries; Besos by kissy, hand-made Christening outfits; Simply Kissy, comfortable, basic layette and accessories and Qt-Qt by kissy kissy, with fresh color combinations, textures, geometrical designs, stitches, ruffles and new shapes.

You can find the kissy kissy line in department stores and specialty boutiques around the world.

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!

neve / hawk

The simple dreams of childhood inspire an entire collection that personifies joy.

Kris and Bob Galmarini enjoy a collaborative creative process of making art that is expressed as the clothing collection known as neve / hawk. Bob hand screens the original artwork, while Kris sews in the distinctive details you find in this American made children’s clothing line so hip and comfortable, you’ll wish the Galmarini’s were making it for big kids like us.

We’re about simple, deliciously comfortable clothes that speak to the heart of childhood.

The collection is made from soft fabrics and features the smallest amount of trim, buttons and zippers, in the name of true comfort. Designed to be layered and worn together, many pieces are reversible or convert into another garment –ultimately unique and personalized. What’s more, the graphics are exquisite and speak to the whimsy of pure idea. “Our designs come to life in the Lowcountry of South Carolina,” they say, “and neve / hawk is proud to source American made fabrics and employ stateside sew shops and manufacturers.”

The fight for kids’ creativity. neve / hawk is committed to this cause –and they use their God-given talent and craftsmanship in its name. Plus a portion of profits is donated to help keep the arts in public schools.

Kris and Bob recently launched neve / hawk into a full children’s collection with the help of popular crowd-sourcing vehicle Kickstarter, an internet-based way to fund creative endeavors. Watch their inspiring story here.

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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!

the be{tween} collection

Clothing and jewelry made especially for tween girls.

Ashley Eiler was raised with southern style and classic taste, growing up wearing handmade clothing smocked and sewn by her mother, grandmother –and later on, herself. She has used this knowledge to create three successful children’s clothing businesses.

For 10 years now, Ashley has run her full-scale custom clothing and trunk show company, Blessed Be the Name, sells own brand, Favorite Laundry, at the wholesale market and currently owns a retail store also called Favorite Laundry in Alabama. Last year, she launched her latest brand, the be{tween} collection, a whimsical pima cotton line designed for girls sizes 7-14 to meet the needs of her loyal customers and their tween-aged girls.

I would love for each child to be well-dressed, feel beautiful, and together with their parents, take steps toward becoming a young lady.

From each original garment to the fabric it’s made from, Ashley and her team designed them to compliment another piece or be worn on its own. “The clothes are the result of an outpouring of our hearts towards an age group that we feel is not offered enough options in the retail market today,” Ashley recently posted to her blog. “I have the most wonderful team who has offered their thoughts and ideas selflessly to help bring this clothing line to you. Our efforts have resulted in an incredibly soft and original line of clothing for girls that deserve to feel great in their clothes and about themselves.”

The first collection includes nine pieces and jewelry, to which the team has added two more long sleeve options as transitional pieces. Future collections are meant to work with previous seasons “in an effort to help build a functional wardrobe that is comfortable and flattering to a sometimes awkward age, and appropriate for the formative years.”

Calling All Tween-Age Models! be{tween} is available as part of Ashley’s Blessed Be the Name trunk shows, in store and online. The team is currently working on the Fall 2013 collection and they’ve got a modeling contest going on! The company is giving two girls the chance to model the latest clothing from the be{tween} fall collection. Winners receive the chance to participate in a real fashion photo shoot, receive copies of all photographs, the clothing and complimentary jewelry. Enter here.

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!