T-Shirt Transcendence

Can a t-shirt actually help a child develop self esteem? My Kinda Style t-shirts just may give kids the kind of positive reinforcement they need to feel great about themselves.

My Kinda Style is a children’s knitwear brand of t-shirts and one-pieces with hip, witty and empowering graphic messages. Made from soft organic cotton with a tagless design, they not only provide endless hours of comfort, but are also made to encourage positive self esteem in children.

Shayla Mackey is the creative force behind My Kinda Style, and knows first-hand how important self-esteem is, especially for girls. While raising her daughter all on her own, she finished college with a degree in Business Management; in fact, Shayla was inspired by her daughter’s love of art and fashion to start the business.

We pay close attention to the details that both kids and parents want in a clothing line, from carefully choosing the perfect fabric texture and colors to dreaming up the next empowering themed messages and designs.

Oklahoma-based My Kinda Style is no ordinary t-shirt maker; as a community volunteer and an active member of her church, Shayla is also passionate about using her business to give back to communities.

“Not every child has the opportunity to have new clothes,” Shalya says. “While clothing is a necessity, a brand new t-shirt to a child in need takes on a whole new meaning; it can give him confidence, make her feel noticed and important, and overall teach a valuable lesson that when they’re in need, there are people who care to help.”

T-Shirts That Give. On this page of the website, folks can nominate a deserving child or children who can benefit from a new t-shirt by telling Shayla and the team at My Kinda Style their story. “We believe that something as simple as a t-shirt really can change lives. We want to do our part to make their dreams come true.”

Children’s Retail Today publishes new posts on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays. If you want to get the word out about your innovative, imaginative and inspiring products for children, contact me today!

Dainty Lions – Hot, Young Accessory Line with Celebrity Following

In a snap, mix and match trendy accoutrements to any single headband, hair clip, button or pendant.

About two years ago, Heather Ells invented Dainty Lions™ interchangeable snap accessories after she decides to be a stay at home mom for her little ones. With a degree in elementary education and the inspiration of her daughters, whom she knew she’d be accessorizing for years to come, Heather put her creativity to good use, dreaming up a way to use a snap system in a line of super-trendy interchangeable accessories. After experimenting with multiple prototypes, she launched Dainty Lions, so girls of all ages can “Change it out. Snap it in.” With just one single base accessory and different button or flower snaps, girls can create multiple looks.

What girl doesn’t like a little bling?

Each Dainty Lions product has a snap securely attached, and can be mixed and matched with Dainty Lions headbands, hair ties/wristbands, ties, pendants and bobby pins. What’s more, girls can trade ’em to create even more unique looks.

The product name is inspired by the wishful thinking behind the memory of watching dandelion seeds floating in the air. It not only conjures the magic of childhood, but appeals to moms and grandmothers who treasure its whimsy.

“We sell our line in many small retail shops across the country,” Heather tells me, “and many teens/young adult stars have been wearing them to red carpet and other events.”

Dainty Lions has quite a following on Facebook, where fans can find out about new styles, contests and more –and Heather also keeps them up-to-date on the various charities and foundations she likes to donate to.

Journaling Ideas. I read recently that Heather writes all her new ideas in a journal (love this!) until they’re ready to introduce. Be on the lookout for Double the Dainty, two button snaps or two mini flower snaps on one elastic headband.

Children’s Retail Today publishes new posts on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays. If you want to get the word out about your innovative, imaginative and inspiring products for children, contact me today!

Subscription Programs Transform into Fashionable Trend

Monthly subscription programs are a popular way for members to shop products and services at a significant savings.

Everyone loves to be part of something exclusive, which is another way subscription programs have become so popular. From diaper services to high-end shopping clubs, who doesn’t enjoy a customized experience?

Naomi Catalina found this out when she was six months pregnant. While preparing for the birth, she quickly became an expert on not only the best of baby essentials, but what makes a great shower gift, too. Her own baby showers were so special to her that she simply had to act on the special-ness. “I was left with an overwhelming feeling of wanting to make my own contribution to this special time in a woman’s life,” she says.

Wordsation strives to curate artwork from artists who share in our excitement for creating designer baby fashion for your tiny treasure.

Naomi co-founded Wordsation, a recently launched and totally inspired way of offering baby fashion. “We find artists from around the world to create original artwork for our decorated baby apparel,” she says. “We feature new designs every month, available individually or as a year-long subscription as baby grows.”

The exclusive designs adorn one-piece rompers made from 100% cotton rib knit with three reinforced snap closures. Artists with an eye for child-friendly design are selected to take these ordinary clothes and make them extraordinary.

The Wordsation Subscription. Perfect as baby gifts, the Wordsation subscription delivers their exclusive apparel over the course of the first year of baby’s life, decorated with original designs from talented artists Katherine Streeter, Annie Wilkinson, Joel Nakamura and others – how’s that for ooh’s and aah’s? Thank you, Rachel Florio PR, for introducing me to Wordsation.

Members of subscription programs not only enjoy exclusive products, they can do so at huge savings, too. This past March 1, I introduced you to popular children’s accessories brand Itzy Bitzy Designs’ Klippie Klub, a kit-of-the-month subscription program where members receive a themed kit containing exclusive, newly released hair clips- and enjoy a 70% savings off retail.

Children’s Retail Today publishes new posts on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays. If you want to get the word out about your innovative, imaginative and inspiring products for children, contact me today!

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.

Dollie & Me

After a successful soft launch in 2009, Dollie & Me hits close to 2,500 department stores nationwide this fall and holiday season, expanding the product line by 200% and laying the groundwork for a projected 400% increase in sales this year.

The new lifestyle brand featuring girls’ fashions matched with dolls offers parents a more financially practical and stylish alternative to over-priced dolls and young girls apparel. Named a 2010 Oppenheim Toy Portfolio Platinum Award Winner, the 18-inch dolls and the matching fashion and accessories for the girl and her doll are designed by longtime girls clothing designers at Kahn Lucas.

“What Dollie & Me is doing is invaluable,” NYU Child Study Center‘s clinical director Susan Schwartz, M.A., Ed. tells HCRSourceBook. “Providing girls with a way to express their individuality is both validating and liberating and those are key components to developing a healthy and confident sense of self.”

The Apparel. The fall & holiday 2010 collection includes dresses, sportswear, sleepwear, outerwear, dress-up costumes, handbags, hair accessories and jewelry in girls sizes 2T-14X – and for the dollies.

The Dolls. Partner Alexander Doll Company, Inc., designer and manufacturer of Madame Alexander dolls, produces the 18-inch dolls of exceptional quality, style and value. Dollie & Me’s Rachel, Ava and Gabriella have many realistic features, including sleep eyes, jointed bodies with soft torsos and high-quality hair for styling.

Now Available. Dillard’s has committed to over 170 store-within-a-store concepts. Find Dollie & Me in over 1,200 Kohl’s and 1,000 Sears stores as well as Sears Canada. Sears is also hosting over 100 in-store children’s charity events with Dollie & Me and K.I.D.S. on December 4. Also available on Amazon.com.

-Janet Muniz

DIY Design

I first learned about Boston, MA-based FashionPlaytes on ABC World News. CEO Sarah McIlroy is interviewed in a story about jobs returning to the marketplace. At the time, she hired two of the start-up internet company’s temp employees full time. Yay!

Sarah and her daughter Maddie

Sarah designed her own clothes as a young girl, learning from her mom. “On occasion, we’d stay up almost all night selecting embellishments and making the outfit ‘just right,” she says. Now, her personal passion is her business.

“I’d like to offer girls the chance to create something unique and build their confidence and self-esteem in the process,” Sarah says. “Our business offers tween girls an opportunity to design clothing and have it produced to wear, at a reasonable price.”

DIY designers use the Fashion Playtes online designer sketchbook to select, customize and accessorize their own clothes. Design instructions are illustrated – and narrated – quite a nice addition! After placing the order, the custom-made threads are beautifully boxed and delivered in about three weeks’ time.

Sarah designed Fashion Playtes as a collaboration between parents and daughters, so moms and dads can be sure their fashionista has a safe place to express her creativity.

Design on!

-Janet Muniz

Retro Fav: Baby Bonnets

I was born with very little hair on my head, which made me an instant fashionista. How? Mom always had me wear a baby bonnet, so people would instantly recognize that I was a girl!

Mary and Janie of yesteryear

Now, thanks to celebrity moms like Sarah Jessica Parker, baby bonnets are all that and more, which puts Susu & John‘s baby bonnets, buckets hats and clothing in the spotlight.

Mother-daughter team Mary Patrick and Janie Brooks McQueen marketed their products all the way to People magazine and E! online’s Fashion Police in less than a year with a company slogan, Made to be worn. “Our bonnets are based on an original heirloom pattern with humble beginnings – the pattern was actually cut from plain brown wrapping paper,” says Janie. It is Mary who ran across the generations-old pattern one day in Spring 2009 and decided to try updating it with designer fabrics. Bu there’s no fussiness here.

According to Janie, people are returning to classic tastes and basics due to the country’s economic climate, and Susu & John has found a way to bring back the traditional baby look using trendy fabrics and very practical materials. “Not only are most of our pieces reversible, but they’re machine washable,” Janie says.

Plus, they’re stylish sunscreen. “Our bonnets also protect baby’s delicate skin, and in a much more fashionable way than the frumpy sun hats you see too often,” Mary says. “They make a beautiful baby gift because of the impeccable quality and workmanship, but they’re easy on the parents because they’re so easy-care.”

The small company based in Beaufort, SC has really grown in less than a year, repped by Larry Lucas in the Southeast and Cathy Downey in the Midwest. Product is handmade in the USA. Employing Janie’s infant twins Sophia and Susannah (Susu), with John Lathan as models, Mary and Janie came up with their first bonnet collection, which quickly drew a buzz in Beaufort. Eventually they added a boy’s bucket hat with the unique button-all-round feature, too.