Remember “it’s a small world”?

“it’s a small world, after all … it’s a small, small world!”

Disney Consumer Products teams with Nordstrom to mark the 45th anniversary of Disneyland’s it’s a small world theme park attraction with a new line of kid’s apparel, accessories and footwear. Based on Disney artist Mary Blair’s original artwork, four seasonal collections for newborns, infants and toddlers début at Nordstrom stores throughout the year.

Each collection represents a different country: Japanese Spring (February); Indian Summer (June); Scottish Fall (September); and Russian Holiday (November). Each collection features items from collaborators such as Petunia Pickle Bottom, Trumpette, Baby Nay and Mighty Fine.

Disney and Nordstrom are also teaming with TOMS Shoes and FEED Projects to give back to communities around the world, with TOMS Shoes’ One for One commitment of giving a pair of new shoes to a child in need, while FEED Projects Small World items benefit UNICEF, which was the ‘it’s a small world’ ride’s original 1964 beneficiary.

-Janet Muniz

Empowered Clothing

Action sports clothing line celebrates first year!

“My eight-year-old son wanted me to buy him a t-Shirt at an action sports event a year ago, but every shirt had an image of a gun or a marijuana leaf,” Javier Gamboa says. “That’s not the example I’d like to set for my children, and I know there are many other parents out there that feel the same way. So we set out to do it better, and bring a positive message to the action sports community and the youth of America. Javier is president, CEO and co-owner of Phoenix, AZ-based Empowered Clothing Company, who, along with Chuck Crouthamel, created a line of clothing designed to be cool enough to rival the biggest established brands in the lifestyle and action sports category, but also “inspire everyone to find their purpose in life, and feel empowered to live that purpose.”

Messages like LIVE ON PURPOSE, BREATHE IN VICTORY, EXHALE DEFEAT and IT’S GOOD TO BE ALIVE adorn nearly every t-shirt, beanie and cap. “We’ve even invited our customers to design their own messages,” Chuck says, “and we take tag lines suggested by fans and incorporate them into our newest products.”

Since launching last year, Empowered products are being shipped to kids of all ages in every corner of the country. The commitment to giving back to the youth in each community is unrivalled. As inspirational speakers, Javier, Chuck and Empowered Clothing Company’s strategic partners -often action sports athletes- visit schools, recreation centers, skateboard parks and other places where kids can learn to become empowered members of their community and speak about goal setting, dreaming big and dedicating their lives to following their dreams and becoming positive, contributing members of society. The company also works with charitable and community organizations by creating fundraising partnerships designed to assist non-profits in continuing to create inspiring programming and outreach for kids. Led by “Social Media Dude and Community Architect” Tommy Pierucki (yes, this is his real title), Empowered Clothing Company connects daily with their customer base via their rapidly growing online presence. Celebrities from throughout the action sports world provide online messages and endorsements, and kids are encouraged to share their own videos of themselves participating in action sports while wearing Empowered gear.

-Janet Muniz

little society

“Teach your kids to be fashion-conscious and eco-conscious.”

-Taira Soo

Taira Soo is founder and designer of little society, a clothing brand committed to encouraging young children to care for the world where they live. Designed for kids ages two thru eight, the clothes are comfy and imaginative with environmental messages that do just that, featuring the world’s most endangered species.

“Wearing these clothes may not seem like a big deal,” Taira says, “but in the world of our littlest humans, it’s a small step toward big change.” Not only are the message graphics fun and inspiring, but the materials and techniques used in producing the garments are earth friendly.

little society is responsibly Made in the USA, too. The company is donating a portion of proceeds to help protect species, habitat and humanity.

-Janet Muniz

lollacup

Easy to use & clean, safe and Made in the USA!

Mom Hanna Lim was surprised to see her daughter drinking from a straw at nine months old. Her pediatrician suggested weaning her to a straw instead of a sippy, so she immediately purchased several toddler straw cups, but realized that her daughter could not get a sip out of any of them. “After talking with other mothers, I learned that some of their children find it so difficult to sip from toddler straw cups that they are turned off from using straws altogether,” Hanna says. “That’s when lollacup was born.”

The entire experience inspires Hanna to develop the lollacup, a stylish and functional, BPA- and phthalate-free drinking cup with an innovative patent-pending design. A flexible, valve-free straw with a weighted end allows children to drink effortlessly from it, even when reclined at an angle.

And all parts are manufactured, assembled and packaged in the USA, in an ISO 9001 certified facility that carries an FDA Device Manufacturing License from the California Department of Health Services. CPSIA compliant, too!

-Janet Muniz

Quagmire Kids

“After five years helping adults look cooler, we had to give future trendsetters their shot to stand out from the crowd.”

-Bobby Pasternak

Quagmire, the Toronto, Canada-based apparel brand founded by two buddies with a passion for golf, surf, skate and street culture, announces a new kid’s apparel collection including a range of ColorFusion tops that transform when exposed to heat. Premiering for Spring 2011, the collection runs in sizes 4-12 and features t-shirts, polos and shorts.

“Man, when I was a kid and Hypercolor went huge, I had to have it,” says co-founder Geoff Tait. “Talk about king of the playground. There was no stopping me with the ladies when I rocked one of those shirts back in fourth grade.”

ColorFusion shirts begin changing at 20° Celsius – that’ s 68° Fahrenheit in America. Built to last. Machine washable.

“ColorFusion is where it’s at. Parents love it. Kids dig it.”

A member of Green Grass One, Quagmire is available throughout Canada at more than 200 pro shops and off-course retailers. Named Canadian Golf Company of the Year by ScoreGolf, the five-year-old brand now has strong distribution in the U.S. Quagmire also offers custom apparel. Quagmire’s management partner is the 31-year-old Jaytex Group, the Canada licensee of famous brands Kenneth Cole Reaction, Tommy Bahama, Original Penguin, Gant, Union Bay and Ben Sherman.

-Janet Muniz

Very Cute Dress-Up!

“All of our clothing is Made in the USA and we are very proud to have stayed true to our heritage. Many of our customers love it.”

-Richard Behar, Capitol Clothing

Miami, FL-based Capitol Clothing Corp. manufactures a variety of novelty uniform outfits for kids under the Little Baron and Capitol Boys brands. Themed outfits allow kids to dress up as a boat captain, police officer, sheriff, firefighter, the U.S. Military and more are available in sizes Infant, Toddler 2T-4T and 4-7.

The 22-year-old company recently introduced the Safari Style Vest to the collection. Celebrity children are big fans, too – Michael Jackson’s son Prince has been seen wearing the Police outfit; Victoria Beckham’s son Cruz wears the Jr. Zookeeper outfit and most recently, John Travolta and Kelly Preston’s newborn son received outfits in a celebrity gifting basket.

-Janet Muniz

Follow-up to HCRSourceBook post…

As a follow-up to today’s HCRSourceBook post…

HELP JAPAN! K.I.D.S. is coordinating immediate relief efforts following the devastating 9.0-magnitude earthquake and 23-foot tsunami that swept the northern part of Japan. K.I.D.S. is asking retailers and manufacturers to provide donations of desperately needed new products, and for the public to provide monetary support to the long-term relief effort, by visiting www.KIDSdonations.org or calling 212.279.5493.

In the hours following the record-breaking quake that set off tsunami warnings as far away as California and South America, K.I.D.S. alerted both its corporate and private donors with a call for support. Urgently needed new items such as blankets, undergarments and apparel are being collected and K.I.D.S. is working with its not-for-profit partners to ensure that shipments quickly reach affected children and families.

Through the K.I.D.S. 10-to-1 system of matching donations, the organization is donating $10 worth of new product for every $1 raised. Donations of $5, which provides $50 of new merchandise to child in need, may be made by texting the word ALLKIDS to 85944. Visit www.KIDSdonations.org for more information.

-Janet Muniz

Hollywood K.I.D.S. Benefit

Ooh! La, La! Couture and Disney Star Host Tutus 4 Tots

In mid-February, Ooh! La, La! Couture and Disney star Bella Thorne invited young Hollywood to distribute over 300 new dresses to underprivileged girls, making the Second Annual Tutus 4 Tots a huge success! The Los Angeles, CA-based Ooh! La, La! coordinated with the Volunteers of America Los Angeles to invite girls from its Strengthening Families Program -which assists families that are either homeless or at risk for becoming homeless –donating about $24,000 in new merchandise to Kids In Distressed Situations (K.I.D.S.).

The room was filled with poufy tutus and huge smiles as surprised families were treated to fun fashions, sparkly shoes, headbands and cupcakes. Enthusiastic young Hollywood celebs escorted little girls through racks of colorful dresses, signed autographs and posed for photos. All the guests were brought to tears when one mother thanked everyone, saying that it was her daughter’s first birthday and she couldn’t afford to give her a present, so she was grateful that a beautiful new dress given to her.

Bella Thorne was joined by fellow Shake It Up cast members Roshon Fegan, Adam Irigoyan and Davis Cleveland, as well as other hot stars Billy Unger, Morgan Lily, Jadin Gould, Kathryn Newton, Pia Mia Perez, Kaitlyn Maher, Elsie Fischer, Ashlee Keating, Daphne Blunt, Emily Grace Reaves, Avalon and Alexis and Natalia.

Co-owners Ann Dugourd and Jennifer Rotunno founded the line of fun and funky, yet sweet and girly clothes eight years ago and regularly gives back by donating clothing to children in need. Since 2007, Ooh! La, La! Couture has donated over $272,000 in new dresses to K.I.D.S.

China Doll Shoes generously donated a new pair of shoes for every girl in the room. Penelope Wildberry, Pink Pewter, Top Trenz, Gaby! Be Gorgeous, Be Happy! and Bracelets by Caley Camarillo also donated merchandise to make this event special.

-Janet Muniz

Pitti Bimbo Review

As seen in HUDSON’S March 2011:

In January, Childrenswear design students from the Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT) traveled to Florence, Italy to attend premiere children’s fashion trade show, Pitti Bimbo, documenting the experience with these creative visual presentations they are sharing with fellow design students and manufacturers throughout the children’s wear industry. This program is part of FIT’s very active Childrenswear Advisory Committee, which has promoted interest in Childrenswear design for over 15 years.

Too School for Cool

Prep school meets the Kentucky Derby. Crisp, clean, sharp and tailored are just a few words that capture this after school riding lesson. School is back in session with silhouettes such as tailored riding jackets, sweater vests, button down shirts, blouses and shirts with pronounced, rounded shirttails, square convertible collars and refined riding pants. Classic school uniform colors like navy, red, crème, khaki and shades of gray. Details such as belt buckles, toggle closures, squared lapels, rolled cuffs, v-necks and double breasted closures, earn a grade of A+ across the board! Fabrications include tweeds, leathers, plaid wools and flannels, playful chunky heavy weight wools, felts, cottons and jerseys.

Snowed In

Winter forecast prediction: “Brrrrrrr!” Glorious cold weather means sledding, snowmen, snowball fights and warm hot cocoa. This upcoming winter season means furry warm accessories from head to toe along with soft and icy color chrome metallics, turquoise and red. Silhouettes are layer-friendly and include an assortment of ponchos, cropped jackets and luxurious knits of all different weights and textures. Frosty the Snowman himself is jealous of the gold and silver micro-studs, glitzy rhinestones, fur accents and tiers upon tiers of ruffles! The fabrications are fabulous printed jersey, fur, heavy wools, silks and chiffons.

Baby, You’re a Firework

The paparazzi’s camera flash. VIP treatment, A-list affairs and First Class all the way – just a few routines a socialite has to endure. Defined by glimmer, shimmer and shine, metallic gold and silver intimates. This season’s socialite silhouettes shine with short puffed sleeves, cropped jackets, layers of luxurious knits, micro minis paired with metallic, sequined or leather leggings, shoulder shrugs, fur vests and glamour tunics. Spotted: sequins, beading, rhinestones, fur and leather on the runway, paired with a color palette of crème, burgundy, black, taupe, gold, silver and hot pink. Rouged leggings and fur trim accents, burn out velvets, printed jersey, cheetah, leopard and zebra prints are perfect for bright, star-studded moments on the red carpet.

For Me…Formidable

Paris welcomes haute fashion with soft, delicate, sweet touches. A dainty color palette of dusty powder pink, off-white, ecru, gold, white, beige, red, gray and black. Silhouettes are the epitome of Parisian fashion with light subtle bishop sleeves; smooth, draped and ruffled jabots; cowls; flouncy and flirty skirts; shoulder shrugs; knits of all different textures and glitzy leggings. Swarovski crystals, pearls, scattered sequins, gold micro-studs, girly pink and gray chiffon bows accent each look. Parisian details of macro bows on taffeta, velvet printed polka dots, whimsy ruffles and distinguished stripes that mimic the architecture of the Eiffel Tower. Seen throughout the shows are luxurious, fine fabrications such as velvets, chiffons, embroidered tulles and wools, printed jersey, faux fur, silks and netting – capturing the French attitude.

-Images and commentary contributed by FIT students Emily Olivier, senior; Casey Lee, senior; Tara Ricci, junior and Alyssa Arcieri, junior.

Great Comeback Story!

“With great love & appreciation, we once again open the doors of LillyLu!”

Two years ago this week, after the explosion that rocked downtown Bozeman, Montana, LillyLu continues to celebrate new beginnings.

On December 1, 2009, the Lilly Lu “family” and their beloved customers celebrated the store re-opening at 424 East Main – nine months later. “We are so excited to see you again!” the children’s boutique posted to their social media group for the event. “Please join us for our ribbon cutting & be the first to see our new nest!” Lilly Lu’s new nest has been going strong ever since. For more information, join Lilly Lu’s Facebook Group.

In remembrance of what was lost and in celebration of another year of success, here’s a shout out to the staff and customers of Lilly Lu … and Bozeman, too … Congratulations!

-Janet Muniz