Moving Day

hudson_logo

Happy July, everyone!

This week, HUDSON’S is moving our main office suite at 235 East Broadway in Long Beach, CA a few floors down to suite 624.

We’re taking our phone and fax numbers with us, so you can continue to stay in touch! And especially if you’re in town, you’re welcome to visit … after we settle in.

Here’s all our contact info:

HUDSON’S Childrenswear Review
235 East Broadway, Suite 624
Long Beach, CA 90802
p 562.436.6400 f 562.436.6449

Enjoy Independence Day! See you at the shows-

-Janet Muniz

New Rocky Mountain Design

hudson_logo

LamanBlu_1 The name means “blue sea,” yet the début line of Colorado-based LamanBlu draws inspiration from the winter landscape.

“This collection was inspired by the frozen surfaces of winter, from the smooth, soft snow blanketing the hillsides, to the positively brilliant snow crystals which sparkle in the moonlight, as brilliantly as any diamond,” says designer Holli Gibson.

Almost makes you crave crisp cool air dusted with snowflakes, doesn’t it?

The Being the Fabulous collection plays against a backdrop of winter white, using silvery pewter and a “baby kiss” pink with aubergine and barberry accents. Frosty, shiny elements of sparkle organza, embroidery, beading, hand printed mica pigments and natural shell buttons decorate Holli’s styles for girls in sizes 2T to 6.

The new line is made from bamboo knit with a touch of Lycra and a bamboo fleece. They “offer a great hand, beautiful rich colors, move with the body and have bacterial resistant qualities,” Holli says. “What more could you want for children’s wear?”

Being environmentally conscious is important for LamanBlu and the new line strives to take eco-fashion for kids to a new level of style, comfort and sophistication.

Holli created LamanBlu to celebrate childhood – and parenthood. Her collection is styled for the parent and child who want something uniquely beautiful, fashionable and comfortable.

Mother and Daughter outfits – how fun is that?

Holli couples an all-American sensibility with European details in LamanBlu, where select styles are also available in adult sizing.

Interested in hosting a trunk show? Contact Holli directly: holli.gibson@lamanblu.com.

-Janet Muniz

Walk on the wild side

hudson_logo

Cape Cod, MA-based Cape Clogs has answered the call of the wild with the launch of their latest style for kids: Giraffe.

Made the genuine Swedish way with real Alder wood and featuring real leather uppers, the company is expanding their line of animal print patterns including Cow, Zebra and Leopard. Founder Pamela Irving says the new Giraffe, “is another unique way for kids to express their sense of style without sacrificing comfort and durability.”

CapeClogs With a spotted pattern of rose and brown, Giraffe features a movable strap and a non slip sole.

Unique-ness Factor: Every Cape Clogs shoe is handmade, so no two clogs are alike. The soles are rubber and the footwear is lightweight, less than three pounds!

Available in 400 retailers across the U.S. and online, Cape Clogs also offers a wide range of clogs for men and women as well as children. The privately held designer, distributor and marketer has an exclusive partnership with Torpatofflen AB, a sixth-generation traditional clog manufacturer located in Småland, Sweden.

-Janet Muniz

New hire at pediped

Karen Lu joins pediped™ as a national account executive, working to grow the company’s U.S. business.

“Karen brings a wealth of experience to pediped,” says COO Rudy Glocker. “She will be pivotal in continuing to grow the sales, brand recognition and market share of our product.”

The Henderson, NV-based footwear company manufactures more than 120 designs for boys and girls with two lines: Originals, soft-soled shoes for newborns to age 2+ and Flex, rubber-soled shoes for children 1-6 years.

Angela and Brian Edgeworth launched pediped in 2004 by creating the perfect soft-soled shoe for their first daughter. Now the award winning company is one of the fastest-growing children’s footwear brands in the U.S., sold in over 2500 stores and in 40 countries.

Prior to joining pediped, Karen spent nearly 15 years honing her retail and sales skills across several industries, most recently with IBM and NCR. With an MBA from Stanford and a BA from Cornell University, Karen is also bringing book-smart business sense to the children’s wear industry.

We wish Karen well on her journey with pediped!

-Janet Muniz

New Stuff for Kids

Our June issue just came out, so look for it! And take a look at this new stuff for kids:

Noo Designs, a line of whimsical critter clothing for children débuts in North America with a collection that includes rompers, diaper covers, sunhats and bibs. Noo’s fall collection of lovable and comfy four-piece outfits for everyday wear is available for late July delivery. Founded in 2006 by owner and designer Belinda Robinson, Noo has quickly gained an international following with distributorships in Netherlands, France, Ireland, UK, New Zealand, China and Masu.

Prismera Design launches the Gem Collection, 12 necklaces featuring clusters of stones strung on sterling silver or 14k gold chains. Designer Laura Su Prismera also expanded the Hold Collection, making the The Cherish Bangle and the Embrace Ring available with set stones.

New from Australia: a line of toys called Stackers, an ingenious stack and play product line that kicks off with Noah’s Ark. “Tier Toys was established after nine years of research and development,” explains Leah Romyn, director of Tier Toys, “resulting in an extremely robust USA and Australian patent for an educational puzzle toy. This unique concept has rejuvenated the construction toy arena.” Noah’s Ark has 12 stackable layers; each uncovers two or more animals ready to walk down the plank for a play date. A total of 44 detailed figures in primary colors of red, blue, yellow and green includes Noah and his wife. Watch an video of the ark and how its pieces easily pull apart and are stacked back together. Available soon online and at specialty toy retailers.

Splendid Mills, the brand of premium jersey and knits for men, is expanding its lifestyle-driven collection to launch a boy’s line, Splendid Mills Jr. All of the styles are based on classic men’s silhouettes and are available in sizes 8 to 14. The collection includes 100% supima organic cotton tees, crews, polos, hoodies, and sweatshorts in black, white, navy, grey, olive, orange and stripes. WesternChief_002

Need to stay dry but remain fashionable? Western Chief Kids features leopard print raincoats, boots and umbrellas for the aspiring diva to automotive print umbrellas and boots for your future car lover, even Thomas the Tank Engine and Hello Kitty – who happens to turn 35 this year!

-Janet Muniz

Remember Larry the Lobster?

MaiseyMae_Larry002 I definitely do!

Maisey Mae Designs adds to their Summer 2009 unique baby gift collection with Larry the Lobster baby burp cloths, available individually, in packs of three or as part of a gift set with two coordinating polka dot chenille-backed bibs.

The new collection also includes personalized burp cloths plus eight other designs—Brilliant Blue Sailboat, VW Bug, Butterfly Bess, Classic Red Wagon, Preppy Flower, Rubber Ducky, Sweet Mary Janes and Twinkling Star.

Mompreneur Michelle Whitney founded the company in 2002. Michelle was going through several burp cloths a day during her son’s bout with infant reflux. Frustrated by how ugly – and how wimpy – they were, she just decided to create her own.

Isn’t that just like a mom? And she’s sharing.

Now, Larry the Lobster and the rest of Maisey Mae’s burp cloths and bibs are 100% made in Maine, and can be purchased from the company directly or from fine retailers throughout the U.S.

-Janet Muniz

Baby Sherpa Makes Consumer Reports List

The Baby Sherpa® diaper bag backpack is included in the 10^th edition of Best Baby Products, by Sandra Gordon and the editors of Consumer Reports. ConsumerReports+BestBabyProducts09

“We are truly honored to be included in this important publication for parents,” says CEO Heather Campbell-Dewar. The new paperback has this to say about the award winning backpack: “A diaper bag with lots of compartments like this backpack from Baby Sherpa can help you keep it all organized.”

Ergonomically designed, it features four bags in one that provide one-stop storage solutions for everything from food and diapers to medicine and gear for the most active of families – all hands-free.

The Illinois and Canada-based company says Baby Sherpa has traveled the world with active parents – from the Great Wall of China to the Pyramids of Egypt. It has also become a favorite with Hollywood and set new track records for efficiency at NASCAR.

Congratulations, Heather!

-Janet Muniz

Soles4Souls Challenge

: Scarlett Johansson and Wayne Elsey

Wayne Elsey, founder and CEO of Soles4Souls Inc., is reaching out to the media like never before.

In an open letter to the industry (HUDSON’S received an email recently), the international shoe charity is challenging all members of the press to go barefoot for at least four consecutive hours during the organization’s second annual Barefoot Week June 1-7 and report on its effects.

Wow. I can’t go barefoot for a minute without pain! It’s been that way ever since I was a child. Sensitive feet, I guess. But just think of what it must feel like for those who wear no shoes all day.

Barefoot Week is a unique participation program designed by Soles4Souls and adopted by thousands of supporters as a simple way to raise awareness and funds for the charity’s programs. The campaign features hundreds of concurrent shoe drives, fun runs and walkathons, retail trade-in events, concerts, festivals and more throughout the week, culminating in “Barefoot Day” on June 7.

“Our intention is to collect gently worn shoes from closets around the country while also donating brand new shoes to people in need in five U.S. cities: Atlanta, Birmingham, Indianapolis, Los Angeles and Portland, Oregon,” Wayne says.

Footwear manufacturers and media alike can join supporters like Scarlett Johansson, who previously donated 2000 pairs of new shoes from her own line of Reebok footwear, Antawn Jamison, Jessica Simpson and Luke Perry among many others.

Sounds like it’s time to get your feet moving to Barefoot Week!
-Janet Muniz

WE’RE BLOGGIN’

Ten times a year, HUDSON’S Childrenswear Review arrives in your mailbox at work or home office, full of fresh feature stories and fashion spreads highlighting the best of what’s available in children’s apparel and products today.

Perhaps you make sure to pick up your copy of HUDSON’S at any of the trade shows you attend. You’ve stopped by our studio booth at KIDShow in Vegas to watch a photo shoot or maybe you’ve visited our home office in downtown Long Beach, CA to spend some time with founder/co-publisher Margaret Mobius, operations manager Mychele Medina or fashion stylist Courtney Smith.

Founder/co-publisher Tom Hudson may have stopped by your store to share with you our latest issue. Or maybe you’ve emailed me, editor Janet Muniz, to dish about the recent launch of your new clothing line.

We’re so glad you’ve taken the time to share with us. Bravo for you! And we’re dedicated to sharing back, too.

That’s why we’re launching HCRSourceBook, the official blog of HUDSON’S. Check in frequently for news and commentary on the children’s market – who’s hot, what’s happening, where’s the next big idea coming from, when is the next major trade show or market and why it all matters. Here, too, is your chance to voice your opinion – so give us your feedback!

Welcome to HCRSourceBook. Instant gratification!

-Janet Muniz