Apparel

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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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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.”

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Miffy’s Adventures: Big and Small


First major toy launch for beloved little bunny character in the U.S.

Miffy, one of the most recognizable characters in the world, is capturing the imagination of preschoolers in the U.S. this summer.

This past fall, the beloved little bunny created by the late Dutch artist Dick Bruna made her début on Nick Jr. in a new HD CGI TV series, Miffy’s Adventures: Big and Small. Children’s apparel lines by Uniqlo, H&M and Kira Kids followed, as well as a book series by Simon and Schuster.

This summer, Walmart rolled out a toy line based on Miffy’s Adventures: Big and Small, exclusively, in stores and online, including:

Miffy 3” Family Multipack ($11.88 – Ages 2 and up) – This adorable family figure set includes Miffy, Daddy, Mommy, and Snuffy, each with moving, poseable features. Collect them all!

Miffy Little Red Plane ($11.88 – Ages 2 and up) Plush – Miffy is ready to take to the skies, fly to new places and have new adventures.

Miffy Little Blue Car ($11.88 – Ages 2 and up) – Take a ride with Miffy in her iconic blue car. Miffy is always ready to jump in the car and go.

6” Miffy, Melanie and Snuffy plush ($5.00 each – Ages 18 mos. and up) – Miffy and her friends are all here available in soft, plush format complete with embroidered features.

On August 1, Walmart adds to the Miffy toy line with feature plush, a Miffy house and several Miffy figurines.

 

The 411 on Miffy

Born June 21, 1955, Dutch artist Dick Bruna first draws Miffy to entertain his young son while on a rainy seaside holiday in Holland. The series of picture books which follow use simple illustrations and rhyming text to explore the universal experiences of childhood. Sixty-two years later, the Miffy books have sold more than 85 million copies; currently published in more than 50 languages. Merchandise is sold across five continents, several musicals tour year-round, plus The Miffy Movie and Miffy’s Adventures: Big and Small television series are introduced globally. The Miffy Museum in the city of Utrecht, provides an interactive space specifically designed for young children to discover the world around them – a dominant theme in all Miffy-related projects.

 

 

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Haus of JR


Curated for the Cool Kids.

Haus of JR is a new brand of children’s luxury designer denim and premiums basics. Hausofjr.com is THE online marketplace for the new brand, with a vision to transform simple basics into everyday essentials with close attention to detail AND to create trendy yet timeless pieces.

Cool parents Chris and Sophia founded Haus of JR in Orange County, CA. Just like their kids’ names, Jordyn and Ryder, each piece in the Haus of JR collection is unisex.

Haus Rewards

The folks at Haus of JR cherish their loyal customers so much, they gain reward points in more ways than purchasing favorite products. They believe that sharing is caring. Customers invite their friends to the Haus of JR store and are instantly rewarded with more reward points. And if their friends love Haus of JR just as much as they do, they’ll continue to be rewarded again and again!

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Luvmother


Adding just the right amount of style, versatility, durability and comfort to every kid’s wardrobe.

Founded in 2013 in Montreal, Canada, Luvmother is built on the premise that it is hard to find well-made, long lasting fine clothing for young children in North America. The husband-and-wife founders have roots in the outdoor industry and an eco-conscious approach. Their mission is in line with the North American outdoor specialty marketplace, which prides itself on its land protection origins, responsible manufacturing, great design, commitment to community and preservation of emerging brands in diversified outlets.

Luvmother’s fine merino wool layering systems for lifestyle and outdoor apparel are made using the highest quality products with sustainability in mind; their goal is for each piece to be versatile and durable enough to carry on into the hand-me-down cycle that currently exists in the children’s apparel marketplace. Merino is a perfect fiber for comfort, warmth and durability and Luvmother provides children with clothing they know works for young families like themselves.

“To make something ‘well’ is a decision and there really are no short cuts,” says Luvmother founder and partner Kevin Peacock. “We set out to design clothes that not only fit as they should but are also built from quality, traceable materials and feel good next to skin. We believe clothes should stand the test of time, because something worth doing is worth doing well.”

Luvmother clothing is made for children ages two to eight years. The company is expanding their size range to include three months to 12 years in fall of 2017. The collection ranges from tops, bottoms and leggings to extra generous swaddle blankets, hats and accessories.

The company brand name is composed of “love” and “mother,” two words that are packed with positive meaning. The founders are also giving a nod to all moms, Mother Earth, the mother of invention and the idea that with a little “luv,” anything you put your mind to is possible.

What’s UP PR

Luvmother and What’s UP PR have recently partnered on branding and promotion. “Luvmother is a new generation of committed makers of essential goods to benefit families getting outside and teaching others how to enjoy the outdoors comfortably with enduring products – the premise of this industry,” says Beth Cochran, founder of What’s UP PR about their mutual goals. “We are honored to be on board. Our team is made up of outdoor enthusiasts and parents of all ages. It’s essential to constantly welcome new young members to this tribe of business that are making a positive impact.”

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Caeli Kids


Caeli is Latin for heaven. That’s what we try to make. A little piece of heaven to bring out your child’s inner angel.

New York-based Caeli Kids is a brand-new line of upscale dresses and sets for girls in sizes infants thru 16. A former head designer at US Angels, Rare Editions and Gerson & Gerson (Bonnie Jean), Caeli Kids owner/designer Quynh Waddell has taken her talents and partnered with a premium dress factory to produce this exquisite line. “Because Caeli Kids is partners with our factory, prices are much less than our competitors and very affordable,” Liz Faber tells me.

Great for Moms

“Being a mother of three kids, I understand the need to make clothes that look great and last,” Quynh says. “When I design, I look for patterns and color that excite me. I don’t go for what’s been sold already but what I would buy for my own girls.”

Dressy with a Twist

The launch collection is filled with a mix of novel, on-trend knits and woven fabrics, with embellishments such as laser-cut patterns, neoprene netting with satin ribbon soutache, sequin stripes with fringe, chunky, elaborate detailed floral embroideries with metallics, polka dot knit jacquard, high quality brocades, holiday laces and original prints. Silhouettes are traditional dressy and fun casual, with a new twist. Very nice!

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Baby Girl Couture


Trendy, unique, sophisticated clothing and accessories for little girls!

Baby Girl Couture is a girls’ clothing boutique that recently opened in Lithonia, Georgia’s Stonecrest Mall. The shop offers stylish dresses, blazers, pants, tops, shoes and one-of-a-kind looks for little girls ages five to 12 years old; popular designer brands and lovely accessories to complete their looks.

She Shines Wherever She Goes

Baby Couture looks feature charming fabrics in vibrant hues and soft pastels that are sure to produce glowing smiles and compliments that little girls -and their Moms- love to hear. The boutique’s motto, She Shines Wherever She Goes, defines the belief that an outfit can change everything, and girls who feel well-put together and stylish exhibit strong confidence and are ready to take on the world with pride. You go, girls!

Richelle White tells me the staff at Baby Girl takes pride in providing stylish clothes and accessories that help children express their own individuality. You’ll find adorable outfits crafted from the highest quality materials, designed to please and highlight your little princess and her beautiful features.

Custom Curated Couture

All Baby Girl Couture designer clothes and outfits are hand-picked after a careful selection process. “We have searched through many brands to find pieces that truly reflect the essence of childhood and combine lasting quality with styles your little trend-setter will love to wear,” they say. “We treat our customers as family and believe in friendly, reliable service!”

Visit Baby Girl Couture at Stonecrest Mall and online at https://www.bgboutiques.com/.

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Cirkel USA


Handmade Tutus Hit the Runway at MAGIC

Family owned and operated Cirkel USA is releasing two new collections at the MAGIC fashion expo in Las Vegas through February 23: The Fashion Collection and The Polka Dot Collection.

Each collection brings to life all the popular colors celebrities are currently wearing – in tutu form. The Fashion Collection features between 20 and 25 vibrant, popular colors, while The Polka Dot Collection features eight. Each of the tutus are customized with accessories such as handmade bows.

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Cirkel USA Tutus at a Glance

  • 100% American tulle
  • Handmade
  • Lasts for two children’s sizes or up to two years
  • Adjustable waistband

“We were simply inspired by our daughter and her love of tutus.”  

Founders Fabio and Maria Jose have been making tutus since 2002. Their daughter kept outgrowing her tutus so the two decided to start making their own. With an adjustable waistband, their daughter could keep wearing her favorite tutus for years rather than just a few weeks. That’s when Fabio and Maria decided to start making them for other children as well.

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Inspired by their young daughter, the two began the company in Quito, Ecuador. To expand their business, they recently moved it to Florida, which allowed them to produce the two new collections to exhibit at MAGIC. The collections are the result of a collaboration with Belgian stylist Romina Sergi, who created fashionista-based designs for The Fashion Collection, while Fabio and Maria used their tutu expertise to bring the designs alive.

Both collections are on display now at the Cirkel USA booth 74061 at MAGIC. Cirkel is also exhibiting some of their onezies, customized using Swarovski crystals, foil, tulle and other fabrics. Their products prices range from $25 to $50.