Announcements

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Tea Collection


Tea Collection’s first-ever tween collection is inspired by the United States.

CRT has long been a fan of Tea Collection, the globally-inspired children’s clothing brand made “for the little citizens of the world” to make the foreign more familiar. Tea just launched a newly sized collection designed especially for tweens, one co-founders Leigh Rawdon and Emily Meyer feel strongly about creating because this age group has always had limited fashion options.

From signature dresses and leggings for girls to bold and bright graphic tees and pants for boys, to rompers and bodysuits for babies and newborns, Tea designers bring the beauty of international cultures and modern design to children’s clothing. Twice each year, they go out into the world in search of inspiration for their clothing collections. They discover new places and faces, time-honored traditions and handmade creations. Now, they are bringing tween girls the power to express themselves.

That’s because Tea Collection inspires global connection and curiosity for children. “We want to give kids the world, to help them discover that no matter where we live or what language we speak, there is so much we all have in common.”

We think it’s a fine, fine passion for these times.

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Little Man Happy


First look at the Bandit Romance Collection.

Unisex. Organic. Straight from the heart. Kids fashion and lifestyle brand Little Man Happy today launches Bandit Romance, a “fresh and tender” collection for dreamers and wanderers, for lovers of any kind expressly made for girls and boys ages from 0 to 11 years. The new collection features dresses, bombers, babywear, sweaters, pants and more with the brand’s signature design element: reduced artwork and allover prints.

Little Big Man is the love child of Ivonne and Sven. While Ivonne brings her fashion design and illustration expertise, Sven brings experience in the interior industry. The team combines both understandings of design, lifestyle and inspiration to organic kids fashion from Berlin of comfortable, easy to wear basics with unconventional style and topic-dominated graphic elements; “always with a wink and little smile, never boring, often straight forward,” true originals.

“High fashion always means highest quality standards,” Ivonne says. “Connecting them with child-friendly, minimalist-inspired style is an insanely nice challenge for me. I like the idea that every little person feels my maximum attention in each of his or her clothing items.”

The new Bandit Romance collection relies on Ivonne’s and Sven’s experience in the material and processing selection. The unisex styles combine classic designs with shiny loud prints and fulfill oekotex 100 and most GOTS standards.

Blu & Blue New York


Premium denim, redefined for kids. 

Since its launch in December 2015, retailers, customers, parents and kids are instantly taken by Blu & Blue, which has also built a wildly successful following among influencers and celebrity fans, too. Blu & Blue founder Aaina Jain leverages her family’s 35-year reputation in manufacturing quality denim to produce clothing for babies and toddlers that is versatile enough to wear all year long. Blu & Blue’s seasonal collections are contemporary, fashion-forward, comfortable pieces that are safety-tested, adorned with hand embroideries, denim techniques and washes. The denim in also combined with different fabrics, for a new, unique look for each garment. The super-soft yet durable apparel stands up to active playtime.

Company Mission – Do Denim Right #BluDoneRight

Blu & Blue is well-designed, mindfully-made and contemporary, with quality you can feel.  “Each Blu Product is made with you in mind – a quality conscious, fashion forward parent who values well designed, elegant and sustainable clothing for their children,” Aaina says in an interview with Home Business magazine. “Each product is thoroughly quality checked and given the Blu seal of approval before it is packaged and shipped directly to you.”

All Blu & Blue fabrics are free of lead, phthalates and flame-retardants. Every step of the design and manufacturing process is conducted in-house. Each Blu Product is thoughtfully designed, cut, stitched, ripped and repaired and washed at the company’s own state-of-the-art sustainable and eco-friendly manufacturing and washing facility. Special softeners and treatments are used to make the fabrics butter-soft for extra comfort, luxurious texture and look. The company also uses “saliva friendly” fabrics that are pre-washed for a safe and super soft garment.

The company says its strength lies in “our passion and commitment to deliver quality.” Retailers – check out Blu & Blue’s launch of the new Fall/Winter 2018 Collection at Children’s Club January 7-9!

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New Year Wishes


Blowin’ Snow

“My beautiful model was especially happy when I let her play with some snow during our photo shoot. She loved ‘blowin’ the snow’ out of her hands.”

-Javcom117*, Photographer. Photo taken at Swallow Falls State Park in Garrett County, Maryland. Some rights reserved.

BornCute.com


An online resource for parents created by parents.

If you’re looking for the world’s best toy, kid product and gift ideas all in one place, look no further than BornCute.com. Owner/Editor Daniel Chabert and his team of writer parents are dedicated to helping Moms and Dads find the best, most suitable and safe products that help with their children’s learning and development. That’s why they say BornCute.com is “The World’s #1 Resource for the Best Kids Toys and Gift Ideas.”

A participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, the California-based company offers a plethora of resources to help parents make the right decisions when it comes to finding, buying and using appropriate toys and playthings that help kids develop into strong human beings. From lists of toys organized by age, girls, boys, type and best sellers to toy reviews, excellent blog articles on related topics to awards for Best Kid Focused Blogs (CRT is one of them!) – parents can find stuff that helps their children develop physically, mentally, socially and emotionally through play.

Sign up on the mailing list for the latest toys, gift ideas and special offers. Enter monthly giveaways! If you’re a parent and would like to write for BornCute.com, click here for more information.

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Qatrah


Have you heard of the slow-fashion movement?

Veteran women’s fashion designer Charu Wadhwa’s slow-fashion infant wear label Qatrah is designed in New York and ethically handcrafted in India by local artisans. Using handwoven, heirloom-quality fabrics, each Qatrah piece stands out in a sea of disposable fashion with designs that endure and can be passed down for generations.

“I think slow fashion lies in the essence of the textile process of Qatrah, where materials pass through the hands of one craftsperson to the other,” Charu says. “Qatrah is an effort to eschew factory and sweatshop culture in favor of equal pay and better working conditions for our artisans to create beautifully made pieces that can be worn, treasured and handed down from one child to the next.”

Charu’s clothing designs focus on freedom of movement for babies with airy silhouettes that reflect her Indian heritage. Rompers, harem pants, low-slung trousers and cotton-silk blankets (perfect for baby’s first trip home from the hospital) round out the breezy collection for 0 to 2-year-olds, available at www.qatrah.net.

Exquisite, Enduring Artistry

Qatrah is an ode from Charu to her daughter, Aria. Her newest collection, Little White Bird, has flowy, away-from-the-body silhouettes that feature the symbolism of the bird as its central motif. Charu revives the traditional Indian crafts of Daraj (reverse applique) and Chikankari (white on white embroidery) of Lucknow, with her distinctive, intricate embroidered designs of subtle bird details and playful, colorful tassel accents. The comfortable, breathable fabrics are all lovingly hand-dyed and finished on hand looms.

Upliftment

Charu Wadhwa is a designer with a strong interest in sustainable practices in the fashion industry and works for the upliftment of skilled and semi-skilled craftspeople. She hopes to be part of the new wave of designers and entrepreneurs that implement more conscious and careful practices within the fashion design field.

Charu’s extensive background in high-end women’s fashion sets her apart from other micro-fashion designers. Educated at NIFT in New Delhi and FIT in NYC, she has over a decade of experience working for the most esteemed design houses, including Ralph Lauren and Calvin Klein. From Nicole Kidman at the 2013 Cannes Film Festival, Naomi Watts at the 2014 Oscars, to Katie Holmes at the Met Gala, she has been instrumental in many memorable red carpet fashion moments.

“Do you know who made your clothes?” asks Charu. “At Qatrah, we work with artisans directly and towards their upliftment!”

Now, who wouldn’t love that?

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Kambia Kids


A clothing line company that envisions people getting together to help each other change the world. Crazy, right?

Los Angeles, CA-based Kambia Kids children’s apparel is inspired by diversity and creativity. The recently launched ungendered children’s apparel line for ages two through seven offers premium “NYC style” with a focus on streetwear to sleepwear.

The Kambia Kids team aspires to champion a child’s own individuality by creating a safe atmosphere where they can be who they are – live in their own skin, so to speak.

“We believe we can change an entire generation by supporting the personal growth, development and individuality of each independent person regardless of age, gender, ethnicity or status,” they tell me. “We can encourage the children we are raising to step outside the standard and challenge the status quo, and help them become the people they are met to be.”

How Does a Children’s Clothing Company Do This?

The Kambia Kids team cites this statistic: just 20 weeks into pregnancy, 85 percent of soon-to-be-parents are already designing their new nursery depending on the predicted gender of their newborn. Even before their baby sees the world where they will soon grow up, parents begin to program them as to how they should live, act, play and dress. “We live in a society with various gender roles, stereotypes and added limitations labeled onto all of us at such a young age. For things to change, we have to make a change.”

Kambia is driven to inspire and educate both parents and children by promoting brilliance, independence and originality. Kambia teaches power and peak performance. In addition to proving clothes for boys and girls, Kambia Kids believes in the value of helping children around the world. “We are gearing up to start a movement where every action we take has a positive impact on someone else:

CUSTOM DESIGNS

Each season, Kambia Kids introduces a custom design benefiting a cause. Click here to see this season’s shirt (pale moon swae tee), benefiting Trina’s Kids Foundation. To collaborate or send future ideas, please contact Kambia Kids here.

Kambia Kids understands how quickly children grow out of their clothes. The company offers loyal customers the opportunity to ship back used garments purchased so their designers can recycle the fabric and give your worn clothes to someone in need. The process is simple: shop with Kambia Kids, ship the clothes back when your little one has out-grown them and they will send + share them with someone in need. Learn more about their give-back program here.

Kambia Kids is 100% made, sourced and designed in the USA, paying close attention to detail and hold each hand-made piece to a high standard of excellence.

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Dapper + Crown


New Seasonless Apparel Children’s Brand Launches 

Based in southern California, Dapper + Crown is a recently launched, family-owned children’s apparel brand featuring classic clothes for children that can be worn every day.

Husband and wife team James and Yves Homan are thrilled to have their entire line Made in the USA – manufactured in Los Angeles, California utilizing imported fabrics.

“My clothes were typically made by my aunt or mother and handed down with love from one girl in the family to another,” says designer Mom Yves. “I could wear them to play or on a stylish Sunday drive with my dad, who passed down his innate love of fashion to me.”

Born and raised in the Philippines, she is inspired by reimagining these handcrafted pieces to wear herself or by others. After the Homans had their own daughter, they wanted to bring Yves’ wardrobe tradition to growing families in America.

Inaugural Collection

Dapper + Crown pieces are timeless in design and ageless in quality. Everything is made to be dashing and unique, as well as comfortable and durable:

 FIONA –  100% cotton, three-quarter sleeve top with collar and button back closure with flounced bottom, available in Aloe with Storm contrasting Peter Pan collar and trim or Pearl Pink with Coral collar and contrasting trim.

WILLOW – jump skirt with ruffle trim and crossed back, available in Citrus (corduroy) or Titanium (100% cotton).

MACKENNA – three-quarter sleeve dress with Peter Pan collar, button back, and back tie, available in 100% cotton Periwinkle or Sand.

PIPER – classic, tailored chambray blazer with notched collar, tan elbow patches, and star print lining.

Made to be worn continuously throughout the year, the size run is 2 – 6 and are available exclusively online at www.dappercrownclothing.com. The Homans are also passionate about supporting local manufacturing. With the entire collection made locally, the family can be intimately involved in the entire creative process.

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JPMA Baby Show


The JPMA Baby Show is poised to become the industry’s premier trade show and leading consumer baby show franchise in North America.

The 2nd Annual JPMA Baby Show is March 20-24, 2018 at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center in Washington DC. Part of The Baby Show Series created by the Juvenile Products Manufacturers Association (JPMA) in partnership with Family Media, LLC, this event provides a world-class trade show experience with three days of a trade show floor, two days of educational conferences and one of the largest consumer baby shows in North America.

Providing parents and caregivers with new, innovative, well-designed products at retail is essential to the health and vitality of the juvenile products industry. The JPMA Baby Show is where industry leaders discuss relevant safety issues, educate the industry, connect with consumers and provide a showcase to launch and sell new products.

Registration Now Open

The JPMA Baby Show is the only juvenile products industry event in North America that combines an educational conference, trade show and consumer day rolled into one event. Admission to the trade show/education conference is open to businesses in juvenile products and related industries.

  • manufacturers, their representatives and distributors
  • national and specialty retailers
  • social influencers
  • the press
  • licensors
  • service providers
  • entrepreneurs
  • standards organizations
  • child safety-focused NGO’s
  • non-profit organizations

Estimated 2,000 – 3,000 Attendees

JPMA member manufacturers are the leading sources of new and innovative products.

  • Learn what’s new, what’s trending and how you can drive your retail business forward to success through seminars and workshops at a JPMA University Session.
  • Connect with suppliers, designers, social influencers, media and entrepreneurs from across North America and around the world.
  • Discover new products, check out the JPMA Innovations Award-winning products and learn about the research findings that can change your business.

The Baby Show Series kicked off in May 2017 at the Anaheim Convention Center with JPMA’s conference and trade show followed by the one-day Anaheim Baby Show for consumers. The inaugural event hosted over 300,000 sq. ft. of curated exhibit space. JPMA is an international trade organization of more than 200 companies in the United States, Canada and Mexico – manufacturers, importers and distributors of prenatal to preschool products. Each year, JPMA sponsors Baby Safety Month in September to educate parents and caregivers on the importance of the safe use and selection of juvenile products. Family Media reaches over 120,000 families per month through print magazines, online platforms and local community events, including the New York Baby Show -the largest consumer show for new and expectant families in the country- and the New York Family Camp Fair Series and education recognition awards, among others.

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Little Hippie


Good Art Is Everything

Under the direction of founding artist Taylor Swope, lifestyle brand Little Hippie creates art you and your children can wear, enjoy in your home or send to friends and family. In her words,

We are adventurers, cosmic explorers, radical dreamers, and flower children. 
We are creatures made of love and we make the world our playground. 
We are artists, crafters and designers; every day creators.

Founded in October 2002, Little Hippie is known as a community voice, fostering creativity to nurture the magic inside all of us, at any age. As a long-time licensee of the Grateful Dead, Little Hippie has an expert understanding of a devoted fanbase, establishing a genuine connection with them as well as new fans who share their stories and are looking for new merchandise.

Little Hippie & The Jim Henson Company

Recently, The Jim Henson Company signed Little Hippie as apparel and home goods licensee, to create new lines of merchandise featuring beloved classic brands Labyrinth and Fraggle Rock. The lines include infant and toddler apparel, adult apparel, accessories and home goods for direct and online sales, as well as selected specialty and mid-tier retail locations nationwide. Apparel sizes range from infant, toddler and youth with coordinating adult styles. The home goods line will include Little Hippie’s signature woven cotton blankets, fleece blankets, tapestries, bed linens, posters; the accessory collection will include pins, tote bags and hats.

“As someone who grew up watching Fraggle Rock,” Taylor says, “I can attest to how much these characters mean to our existing customers who already want to pass on to their children Jim Henson’s valuable lessons of friendship, understanding of others and interconnectedness. No other creator aligns with our company values more, and I am thrilled to have the opportunity to learn from Henson’s imagination through developing art from his characters.”

The collection launched this past July at the Museum of Pop Culture’s retrospective Jim Henson Exhibition in Seattle. Products are now available at LittleHippie.com with further retail placement throughout Fall 2017.

“Fraggle Rock was created to encourage and celebrate acceptance, tolerance and diversity in the world. Little Hippie is a perfect partner, sharing these core ideas and bringing a uniquely creative vision to these new merchandise lines,” Nicole Goldman, Executive Vice President of Marketing and PR for The Jim Henson Company, says. “Fans will dance their cares away with Taylor’s imaginative designs and products that reflect the joy and irreverence of this beloved brand.”