Dogwood

“Trouble is my business and business is good.”

Boys’ apparel company Dogwood updates the fit and styling of graphic t-shirts for spring 2011 with a fitted and relaxed t-shirt using 100% combed cotton. Made in the USA. For the fall 2011 season, Dogwood plans soft cotton t-shirts, hoodies and jackets with cool and updated graphics, along with plaid woven shirts and skinny jeans. Sports, trucks, dinosaurs and rock ‘n roll continue to influence the line’s designs as well as humorous word phrases, such as “Trouble is my business and business is good.”

-Janet Muniz

Babymio Collection

“These highest quality baby bitties are built to last for a lifetime of hugs from the softest Minky fabrics.”

-owner June Wong

Débuting last summer, the Babymio Collection is a line of blankies, BaBa Loveys, booties and slippers, bibs, robes and plush animals for infants from birth to 24 months featuring six animals: Millie the Giraffe, Jax the Tiger, Mooky the Cow, ChiChi the Cheetah, Mellven the Moose and Kona the Monkey. Purchase separately or in gift sets. The company started in a spare bedroom by a mother and daughter team last July, and it’s growing quickly. June recently moved into a 2,000-square-foot warehouse in Sunnyvale, CA and the collection is selling in 50 stores across 16 states.

-Janet Muniz

blindmice socks

Débuting just over a year ago, blindmice socks are available in top boutiques nationwide, Japan, Canada, Greece, Germany and the Netherlands.

blindmice knit goods expands the collection of crew and lo-cut styles to run from newborn up to age six. With 39 color and pattern combinations, young kids, infants and toddlers can to express themselves with socks that coordinate, but do not exactly match. Sold in sets of three and five – a pair and a spare, so to speak – the battle with the dryer, dog or sock monster is won!

New quirky combinations are joined by the “not-so-basic” basics, a color block sock that comes in four color combinations.

HCRSourceBook just found out that blindmice is the only company that creates children’s socks that mimic the best-fitting technical running sock for adults. A cushioned soft sole, hand-linked toe seams, articulated heels and a soft top that does not impede circulation help to keep the socks on kids’ feet. They won’t leave red marks on little ankles or toes, either.

Stylish Hollywood moms like Kourtney Kardashian, Jessica Alba and Amy Adams love blindmice socks, and what’s not to like?

-Janet Muniz

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Ninachka Couture

The Ninachka Couture collections create worlds where a child’s fantasy reigns supreme.

The name means “little Nina,” her grandparents’ term of endearment for Nina Hovnanian, American Armenian designer, children’s book author, home decor innovator and all-round Renaissance woman. Ninachka Couture by Nina Hovnanian and Ninachka Princess are two wondrous collections for children from ages 0-7 that include handmade twirly tulle dresses and hand painted bejeweled silk organza circle skirts that sit atop tulle ruffled layers of silk chiffon. Each delicately finished piece of the Princess collection is inspired by every little girl’s fairy tale fantasies. It also includes Swarovski encrusted tops and hand-stitched items. Every made-to-order heirloom piece comes with a handmade tiara and arrives in a limited edition zippered satin lined storage case to pass on to future generations. From party dresses and formal wear, sun dresses, separates and swimwear, Ninachka Couture is always all about comfort – and fun.

“I’ve tried to capture all the magic of childhood fantasies and the classic delights of summer and print them onto cool cottons to create super fun collections that literally inspire kids’ dreams to come alive,” Nina tells HCRSourceBook. The European-inspired brand made its North American début at Playtime New York just this summer with bold colors, adorable animal prints and intricate details that enchant buyers all over the world. Also available are clothing for boys, books, toys, gifts and décor items.

Nina’s story is an inspired one. This New Jersey girl moved to Armenia in 2001 to start the Armenian Tourism Development Agency (ATDA) to help lift the country’s devastated post-earthquake, post-war economy. In 2005, she created Treasures of Armenia, a specialty shop of artisanal treasures created by Armenia’s master craftsmen. She also formed the Nina Hovnanian Couture brand, creating hundreds of new jobs and breathing new life into Armenian artisanal traditions by marrying time-revered skills and ancient Armenian design elements with state-of-the-art technologies and materials to create designs with a fresh 21^st century appeal. All of Nina’s creations are saturated with her timeless, yet contemporary international flair.

Nina herself has twin daughters, Gayane and Katya, who remind her of how fast children outgrow their clothes, so she designs classic, yet delightful “heirloom” creations that can be passed down from generation to generation.

-Janet Muniz

Baby Rock Apparel

Tampa, FL-based Baby Rock Apparel, Inc. introduces a new fall collection of trendy kids t-shirts. The company adds to the line of baby clothes and gifts about twice a year and the new styles feature several music-inspired designs made from a soft tri-blend fabric as well as classic 100% cotton.

Baby Rock is also inspired by classic Hollywood with the first “Marilyn – Star” design featuring a Marilyn Monroe image on vintage white burnout 100% cotton; another is “Lessons for Life,” featuring a fist surrounded by motivating words that kids can live by, like courage, strength, power, discipline, respect and perseverance – made from 100% cotton.

“We launched these new designs on our website and within a few days we were already sold-out of most of the t-shirts,” president Kim Strayer tells HCRSourceBook, “so we’re quite pleased with the initial response from our awesome customer base.”

The new designs join Baby Rock Apparel’s best-selling trademarked collection found in over 200 stores and boutiques in the U.S., Canada and Europe and by visiting the company’s website and TrendyRemedy.com. Wholesale inquiries are welcome. Contact info@babyrockapparel.com or 813.282.3987.

-Janet Muniz

I Rescue Rover

I Rescue Rover Apparel is a collection of t-shirts for kids and toddlers made from organic cotton bamboo and other eco-friendly fabrics. Artist Paula Bonham features her original, animal-themed work, inspired by the many dogs she has rescued and enjoyed in her life, and also by the passion people have for their own dogs – and cats, birds, fish, horses, goats and more – (I’m a huge fan of goats!)

Other styles feature artwork from Julie Rozelle Contreras of Urban Bird Design. Artists are encouraged to submit artwork for consideration, too. Textiles include organic cotton bamboo and other eco-friendly fabrics, and I Rescue Rover exclusively partners with companies that adhere to ethical manufacturing practices.

“Be Good, Do Good, Buy Good, Feel Good” is the company’s mantra, and sales benefit animal welfare organizations such as the ASPCA, The Humane Society, Red Cross Emergency Rescue Efforts, Animal Acres, Petfinder and BestFriends.org.

Hip graphic clothes that simultaneously generate support for needy animals. Who wouldn’t like that?

-Janet Muniz

Lollybean Kid Couture

“Lollybean” is Emily’s nickname, and Emily is the daughter and inspiration of Amy McConnell, designer of Lollybean Kid Couture. “Emily was born premature, with a severe condition called Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia,” Amy tells HCRSourceBook. “Finding appropriate clothing for her was difficult as she was very small and had feeding tubes.”

Amy started her own clothing line when her son Matthew was born – one simple white layette gown with the words “God’s Gift” written on the front. Now the Solvang, CA-based company makes a year-round collection available for boys and girls in sizes newborn to 24 months that combines the playful words of childhood with classic images that bring to mind the wonderful memories of that time.

Made of 100% cotton, find long and short sleeve shirts paired with yoga-style pants and shorts – gift-ready sets with mini clothespin fasteners. A boxed layette hat and gown are finished with a tied grosgrain ribbon and hang tag.

Amy has a background in interior design and mural art, and extends her love of color into her collection. Rich hues of charcoal, black, deep olive and chocolate join traditional pinks and blues.

Lollybean Kid Couture is represented by Sylvia Gill in the Northwest (888) 304-8271; Barbara Towery in the Southwest (800) 783-9327; Kathy Fedoryshyn in the Midwest (262) 781-8685 and Rudy Fleischmann in the Mid-Atlantic (800) 869-2229.

“Our goal is to create comfort for the child while at the same time bring fun and laughter to the grownups who know and love them.”

-Janet Muniz

June Flower Girls

Pegeen Announces Newly Expanded Jr. Bridesmaid Collection

Ah… to be a June bride – is nothing compared to being a June flower girl! Since 1982, Pegeen has created beautiful dresses in sizes for infants and girls, including plus sizes – and a Couture collection The company specializes in flower girl and special occasion dresses, offering shoppers several options for customization.

Ideal for weddings, bat mitzvahs, First Communions, holidays and other special occasions, shoppers can make each dress uniquely their own by choosing from over 200 different colors and customizing to short sleeves or tank style, adding a sweetheart neckline, flowers or a sash – the combinations are endless.

Pegeen has recently expanded their Junior Bridesmaid collection with five new styles in sizes 6X to 16 and plus size, featuring elegant, long dress styles, some with spaghetti straps and signature silk flowers.

Virtually every Pegeen dress is available in plus size, offering fuller-figured children stylish choices. Pegeen sends their customers a bodice made of muslin via U.S. mail in advance, to use in determining a flattering fit.

Pegeen dresses and ring bearer suits are sold exclusively online at www.pegeen.com. Shoppers receive free expert advice when they call or chat with Pegeen, where the company’s designers themselves answer questions and take the guesswork out of ordering dresses online.

Special note: Pegeen would be happy to participate in special contests, giveaways and other promotional opportunities!

-Janet Muniz

Perfect Winter Pick-Me-Up: PJs!

I don’t know about you, but I do my best thinking in my pajamas.

Yep. Perhaps it’s because I’m a morning person, and I tend to write early in the morning, before the sun comes up, sitting at my computer in my pajamas.

Too much information? Ah, well … here’s another thought: it’s a cold winter Saturday morning. What better for kids to play in than their favorite comfy, warm PJs? You just know I’m a fan.

Children’s clothing company Douglas & Cocoa creates those perfect PJ’s for new little ones and their big brothers and sisters. Sweet kimonos for baby, Asian-inspired PJs for siblings plus cozy blankets for all.

Owner/designer Kendal is the mother of three little boys. She’s combined her love of designing clothes with her Master’s degree in Asian art history to create a unique line of PJs – the perfect winter pick-me-up. “The special bond between my boys inspired me to design pajama sets for babies and toddlers in matching vivid colors and prints, sets that could be worn day or night,” she says.

The company’s New Mission collection features three specific items: Kung Fu PJs and matching Kimono sets – monogramming is also available for an added specialty – plus ultra cozy blankets, which Kendal thinks is essential in a mom’s tool kit. “As a mother I have learned the value of a good blanket, one that is cuddly, but also durable,” she says.

Douglas & Cocoa is based in Hong Kong and New York, and Kendal not only designs PJs, but collections and resort wear for both boys and girls (gee, a trip to Bali does sounds great right about now). I especially love the story about her company’s name, as I’m a cat person … and so is Douglas, apparently. Cocoa is his beloved stuffed kitty.

I still have my favorite stuffed animal from my childhood sitting on my desk, Douglas. Right in back of my computer, where I sit in my pajamas and work!

-Janet Muniz

A Holiday Wish on Madison Avenue…

…by way of Studio City, CA!

“Both of these lines are gorgeous!”

-Courtney Yagerman, HUDSON’s fashion director

On November 15, Courtney attended charity fashion show, A Holiday Wish on Madison Avenue, at the Sportsman’s Lodge for a triple celebration – the introduction of Jayeoni Moore New York, a look at Saurette‘s new Holiday 2009 collection and the good works of the Jayneoni Moore Children‘s Fund.

Jayeoni Moore New York

Guests brought art supplies to benefit the Fund, which helps underprivileged children in the Los Angeles, CA area … and were treated to the début of Jayeoni Moore New York, designed by TV personality and celebrity stylist Jayneoni Moore, opening with Holiday 2009, a European-inspired collection of dresses and separates for girls ages two to six.

At the event, Jayeoni hosted the Sweet Hour, where celebrities and guests alike snacked on incredible goodies like cupcakes from the Southland’s Layers Cake Design Studio. The mid-afternoon runway show also featured the new Saurette holiday collection designed by Lisa Kanouse – beautifully detailed appliqué dresses, knit sweaters and tiered ruffled skirts.

Saurette

A little somethin’-somethin’ about each designer:

Starting in New York with spots on MTV, VH1 and Entertainment Tonight, as well as dressing models backstage at New York Fashion Week for Michael Kors and Oscar de la Renta, Jayneoni Moore loves to be where fashion and celebrity meet. She moved to Los Angeles and began styling celebrities such as Halle Berry, Vanessa Williams and Courtney Cox. After having her own little fashionista, Jayneoni set out to create a more fashion forward line of clothing for girls.

Saurette designer Lisa Kanouse with actress Nikki Blonsky

Lisa Kanouse has 18 years of fashion industry experience, including jobs as freelance photo stylist for the Chicago Tribune and Marshall Fields as well as 10 years creating and producing women’s collections for Saks Off 5th, Macy’s and May Company. Saurette is the dream collection that Lisa has always wanted to create. Since launching in March 2009, the response to the brand has been extremely positive with both buyers and customers. Celebrity moms like Joely Fisher, Penelope Ann Miller, Gwyneth Paltrow and Edie Falco all love Saurette for their girls.

A good time was had by all, especially Courtney, who enjoyed meeting the designers and learning about these lovely holiday styles.

-Janet Muniz

Saurette photo credit: Beautiful Life Images