Baby K’tan Baby Carriers

Get 20% off all Baby K’tan Baby Carriers through January 15.

Florida-based Baby K’tan makes an innovative baby carrier design made soft cotton that the company says is “an ideal blend of a sling, wrap and carrier, providing the positions and benefits of all three.” The Baby K’tan Baby Carrier is a ready-to-wear wrap able to carry children aged infant to three years in a variety of ways.

No Other Carrier Like It. Lightweight and compact, the Baby K’tan Baby Carrier is made entirely of soft, breathable 100% cotton knit fabric strong enough to hold a child weighing eight to 35 pounds. The unique double-loop design has an adjustable back support band for extra comfort on the shoulders.

Founded in 2005, Baby K’tan, LLC is the brainchild of two families raising children with special needs. Longtime friends the Chesals and the Wernicks wanted to bond as happily as possible with their children while providing an environment suitable enough for the very best in their development. So, the experiment began, resulting in Michal Chesal and Isaac Wernick designing this versatile carrier that’s easy to use, with no wrapping, buckles, snaps, rings or hardware. They also find that the patent pending design is ideal for premature babies and babies with special needs.

GET 20% OFF ALL BABY K’TAN BABY CARRIERS
Shop www.babyktan.com and enter coupon code 20GIFT at checkout
valid January 10-15, 2013

A percentage of proceeds from all sales is donated to the American Heart Association and the National Down Syndrome Society. Baby K’tan, LLC supports a number of other organizations and charities, too!

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!

blabla Kids of Virginia Highlands

The very best in knit dolls, clothing and décor – made by hand, created with love.

Florence Wetterwald designs with simple poetry and vibrant style, and her popular children’s line of soft, bright, knitted playthings and clothing for kids is called blabla. The soft blabla things are handmade by artisans in Peru; with childlike wonder, the mobiles and “dream rings” –as well as rattles, paper goods such as sweet birthday cards and backpacks- support Florence’s belief that children are driven by their senses and imagination. blabla has been bringing happiness to children all over the world since 2001.

Our soft little creations are crafted with skill and thoughtful details, which make each one precious and unique …with the ancestral knowledge of our knitters, we have given life to a collection of well-loved characters who look contemporary, yet feel like old friends.

Located in Atlanta’s trendy Virginia Highlands neighborhood, blabla’s flagship store also houses a design studio where Florence and friends are committed to fair trade and sustainability. “Our mission,” they say, “is to continue to inspire joy and laughter.”

Wholesale and online shopping also available.

Another Rachel Florio PR client! 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!

Marie Puce – Children’s Fashion from Paris

Winter is the season of the imagination – what better time to get inspired by the sweet and breezy colors of spring?

True to the brand’s joyful colorful style, Marie Puce plays with Liberty of London’s sweet, fresh colors for a bright and cheerful Spring/Summer 2013 collection for the whole family – for girls and boys ages three months to 18 years. Here are a few details:

Pastel Pink by Liberty Glenjade sets the tone and brings a softness, accentuated with hints of fuchsia and coral
Shades of green –emerald, absinthe and sea foam- evoke a breath of fresh air and energy
The summer blues –royal, sky, azure and teal- inspire dreaminess
This season’s baby collection plays off vintage designs, made in soft colors and comfortable style.

Simple Couture Style. The Spring/Summer 2013 collection reflects the label’s spirit of couture design –simple, clean lines that reveal complex shapes and sophisticated details.

Quality is our top priority and we select only the best of fabrics, such as authentic Liberty of London prints. Our prices remain very accessible.

Since 2003, the sister-owners of Marie Puce Paris have been creating exclusive designs that are manufactured in France. Available in the Paris boutique and online. Marie Puce also enjoys stocking private hostess sales.

– Photographer for Marie Puce: Olivia Baumgartner. 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!

Stella & Stevie and the Mack & Co label

We have our feet on the ground with five kids, three dogs and two husbands between us … but our eyes up to the sky looking for the next great thing.

Penny Crivelli and Gerri Mack are best-friend-entrepreneurs (BFE’s?) who founded Crivelli Mack in 2005. The two make contemporary canvas totes, crossbody travel tags and cosmetic cases, as well as fleece jackets and hats plus faux fur coats and hats for children under the Stella & Stevie and the Mack & Co label.

Currently, Penny runs the corporate office from the San Francisco Bay area, while Earnie-Award winning designer Gerri dreams up childrenswear styles at her studio alongside a lake in the Ozarks.

Made in the USA. The company’s design sensibility focuses on fun, feminine, colorful and unique products. The bags come in bright colors and neutral prints, great for laptops, baby stuff, knitting supplies, exercise gear or just everyday items. The children’s outerwear is cut and sewn right here in the United States.

Established by the original designer of Ali Mac in Minneapolis, MN, Mack & Co started in 1993 has been recognized in the marketplace for outstanding design.

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!

Funnybone Toys – the Art of Card Games

This Colorado-based company is the brainchild of people who are passionate about how we connect through play and how good design plays into that connection.

Making a color splash in the world of game-making, Funnybone Toys™ launched three fun and thought-provoking card games in 2012. Visually stunning works of art, Array™, CUBU™ and Spectrix™ engage game players and store-owners alike with vibrant color and stunning graphics.

Our games use good design to stimulate creativity and give your brain a workout.

Funnybone card games are designed to be enjoyed by players ages eight to adult –and everyone seems to learn something by playing with them, regardless of age. Younger players can develop an appreciation of color and hue –and older players want to keep them in a place where they will be seen by everyone -because they are meant to be played!

Good Design. This winter, the company is introducing Disruptus™, a game described as “designed to open every mind.” Funnybone Toys can be found in specialty toy and game stores, museum stores, book stores, gift stores and resorts throughout the United States, Canada, Europe, New Zealand and Australia, with projected growth in Latin America this year.

Funnybone Toys is created as a true combination of form, function and beautiful, minimalist design, and the design team -headed by a renowned TED Conference presenter on type and design- wants people to actually see, enjoy and appreciate the art in their games.

President Julien Sharp is passionate about the success of U.S. small businesses and their collective power to provide jobs. Once a cruise director and entertainer, Julien intends to build close relationships with small businesses as extensions to the core members of the Funnybone Toys team. She is a recognized expert; her book How to Design and Launch an Online Networking Business was published in 2009.

In the future, Funnybone Toys may include a line of active/outdoor toys, medical- and human body-related toys and games, and games that focus on increasing cognitive functions and/or manual dexterity. I can’t wait!

Another KidStuff PR client! 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!

2013

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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!

Last Post of 2012

Time flies when you’re having fun!

As 2012 comes to a close, I thank all the fabulous designers, business owners and representatives who strive to produce the very best in children’s apparel, accessories, toys, juvenile products, customer service … and then some.

I so appreciate everyone who has introduced me to a new clothing brand, or product that is handmade, globally-inspired; imported from Europe and Made in the USA … those who keep the pleasure of childlike innocence in their hearts, sharing it with the marketplace; those who keep Moms in mind, too –producing wonderfully practical things to make her life easier (Dads are included, of course). I just love featuring them on Children’s Retail Today.

I also acknowledge the efforts of AnnieWear and Klippie Klub for offering something special to Children’s Retail Today readers and fans in 2012.

Finally, I am so grateful for you … whether you were a reader of HUDSON’S, following me to Children’s Retail Today after we ceased publication, or you’ve discovered Children’s Retail Today through social media … I hope I bring you the latest news and information, commentary and opinion about the children’s market –the kind that inspires store owners, manufacturers, designers -mompreneurs and inventors, too- to take your business to the next level. For parents and grandparents -aunties, coaches and teachers, too- I hope you’re learning about new stuff for your little ones -irresistible things both you and your children will love.

For anyone who’s passionate about children’s fashion … here’s to a wonderful, beautiful, inspired and peaceful New Year!

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!

Hang Ten Gold Grows Family

An iconic brand launches new label, partnering with two popular companies to create exclusive designs for both girls and boys.

In 1960, legendary surfer Duke Boyd founded Hang Ten, designing the very first “board shorts” -not to mention launching one of the most iconic logos around.

Today, the Hang Ten name, and caché of surfing- is recognized around the world. The newly-launched exclusive label, Hang Ten Gold –owned by American Brand Holdings- has two new multi-year licensing agreements.

We share similar brand philosophies and we’re looking forward to developing great products for the Hang Ten brand as well as expanding our offering of lifestyle apparel for girls, clothing to stylishly and comfortably take them through their every day.

-LamanBlu creative director Holli Gibson

LamanBlu, known for eco-friendly contemporary designs and a lovely childhood sense, has signed on for Hang Ten Gold’s girl’s collection. While Andy & Evan is working on Hang Ten Gold’s new boy’s collection. Andy & Evan’s focus is to provide durability and functionality while maintaining a dressy-casual design aesthetic.

This is a unique opportunity to work with a 50-year-old iconic brand and build upon the Andy & Evan vision for producing great boys lifestyle brands.

–Evan Hakalir, partner/co-founder, Andy & Evan Industries, Inc.

Hang Ten Brand Manager Paul Kim says, “We are very excited in entering into agreements with these companies. They each produce incredibly personal products that people will become emotionally attached to. They truly understand our brand and what it means to our consumers.”

Looking forward to seeing what this brain trust comes up with!

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!

Merry Christmas!

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I give to you the words -and the message- of my favorite holiday song from the Broadway musical, Promises, Promises. May your heart be merry and light!

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!

Cupcakes & Pastries

Fun, adorable, fashion forward, yet timeless dresses for little girls, with a women’s contemporary flair.

Started in 2009, Los Angeles, CA-based Cupcakes & Pastries débuted during the Spring ’09 season. Mother-daughter tea parties, where tea, cookies, candies and cupcakes & pastries are served, are an inspirational starting point for the line, which also draws design ideas from the love of children, fashion, colors … nature, architecture, classic movies, different cultures of the world … almost anywhere or anything. The result is beautiful fashion for girls ages one through eight. The collection has been honored with a 2011 Earnie Award for Best Dresswear as well as a nomination in 2012 for Best Girls Collection.

The limitless imagination in kids is our approach to design. Just have fun with it. Live Fabulously!

Available online and around the world in fine stores and boutiques. By the way, the Winter Sale is happening now!

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!