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!

London’s Award‐Winning Children’s Lifestyle Store

Across the pond, Olive Loves Alfie is known as “the most inspiring children’s independent in the country.”

Hand-picked style. London-based Olive Loves Alfie was established in 2006, offering childrenswear, housewares, women’s wear, toys and games, quickly becoming THE destination family lifestyle store not only for discerning parents, but also for designers seeking the “Olive Loves Alfie” seal of approval.

Without exception, all of the products at Olive Loves Alfie must qualify by their quality and design to have hand-me-down potential, or to become modern heirlooms.

Olive Says. Here are some of the things you will find at the store, in London and online: Contemporary and iconic children’s books including a selection from Charley Harper; children’s clothing from Bakker Made With Love, Bonnie Baby, Dandy Star, Ej Sikke Lej, Katvig, Kidscase, Louie Louis, Marimekko, Monkee Genes, Mini Numph and Mini Rodini; creative kits, games and toys from Button Bag, Djeco, Mibo and Sparrow Kids; heirlooms from an inspired portfolio of collaborations with artists and illustrators. In addition, the company launched design consultancy Olive Says in 2010.

From London to Tokyo. Founder Ashlyn Gibson has parlayed her rich background in fashion into a whirlwind of adventure, traveling the world in search of design inspiration, which has all come together with Olive and Alfie. In 2011 alone, style icon was honored with a Best Independent Fashion Retailer runner up award at the Junior Design Awards and was shortlisted in the Best Children’s Shop category for the Telegraph Shop Awards.

Recently, Ashlyn launched a contemporary paint collection at Bubble London. Soya‐based Olive Loves Alfie Colour is an extension of the store’s visionary style and concept, designed to bridge the gap between child and adult spaces in the home. Produced in collaboration with The Nursery Paint Company, the colors are blended using a secret recipe to ensure the paint is free from harmful toxins and chemicals. At the trade show, which took place in January, Ashlyn and her team created an installation for the entrance.

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!

The New Must-Have Bike Gizmo

The longer, warmer days of spring herald in bike season, and every hot-rodder is going to want this.

For kids who love to pedal, the hottest way to personalize their wheels is the Kool Rider, a clip-on accessory that mimics the sound of a speeding motorbike. The card and clothespin trick of old has morphed into a very sophisticated blend of performance polymers from DuPont. The results are irresistible -the flappers hit the bicycle spokes, producing a sound similar to those made by motorbikes. According to the company, the clamp force and spring action remain intact no matter the weather or season.

It’s so easy to put on and sounds great.

-Randy, San Diego CA

Kool Rider co-founders Howard McClurd and Troy Spencer have been friends since they were five-year-old boys. “We offer kids everywhere this clip-on accessory that’s a cinch to put on and truly durable. We tested the Kool Rider on one bike for 250 miles and it barely had a scratch!”

All my friends have it and we have our own bike club.

-Daniel, Dallas TX

For a bigger sound, clip on two. Ideal for girls as well as boys ages six and older, this clever add-on makes a two-wheeler go from ho-hum to at vroom with the authentic sounds of a motorbike. Each Kool Rider box includes one quick clip-on unit, plus kids receive the extra-customization option of long-lasting, colorful stickers, which are included. Simple to use -just clip the single unit on each wheel. To maximize that “Big Motor Sound,” simply clip on two!

Made in the USA. The New Jersey-based company utilizes developmentally disabled adults to assemble the units and packaging before shipping to retailers. Howard and Troy say that by working with DuPont, the unique and special select blend of high performance polymers produces a pleasing, accurate sound and tone. A smaller Little Kool Rider for beginner-type bikes is in the works for later this year.

Bought my son a Kool Rider and I can’t get him off his bike!

-Emily, Jacksonville FL

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The Plush Animal Kingdom of Aurora World

Visit almost any gift shop at a zoo or a hospital, a toy, Hallmark store or Claire’s …

… even a florist, a candy or stationery store worldwide – and you’ve probably ogled over the cute plush toys from Aurora World, Inc. Founded in 1981, the Korean company with headquarters also in the U.S., the UK and Hong Kong is a leader in the toy and gift industry, offering luxuriously soft, lifelike and adorable plush toys for kids of all ages –a far cry from my own little stuffed doggie named Trevor I still have from my childhood!

Signature by Aurora® This brand new line of plush animals is handcrafted with personal attention to detail. Lions and tigers and bears, oh my! Wildlife, jungle and exotics like fox and lemurs –even bald eagles and owls- are boxed individually and include a hand-stitched, illustrated booklet outlining the animal’s distinctive characteristics.

Aurora has elegantly captured the spirit, grace and vitality of real wildlife with one of the most beautiful lines we’ve ever created. Each piece is hand cut, sewn and shaded to make it so exquisite. These particular details bring each of the Signature characters to life.

-Michael Kessler, senior vice president of sales and marketing

Raggedy Ann & Raggedy Andy Aurora World and Hasbro, Inc. have teamed up on a new line of plush dolls based on the iconic Raggedy Ann and Raggedy Andy of old, bringing these beloved characters to life for a new generation of children.

YooHoo & Friends™ Aurora’s international plush toy phenomenon has sold more than 14 million worldwide, and the company recently added eight new WannaBes and an assortment based on the colors of the rainbow. Due to popular demand, Aurora added a pink gorilla and camel to the YooHoo & Friends line, too.

Lush Two-Toned Fabric. This year, Aurora adds shimmer and shine to new lines Sweet & Softer, Wishful Bear, Silly Monkey and Jewel Pets- a line of squeezably soft stuffed animals. The short pile plush appears reflective and bright from one angle and soft and smooth from another.

Three brand new plush gift lines are geared toward new parents and their children:

The western-themed Lil’ Howdys, an interactive collection of Crinkle Friends and Quizzies, a collection of bears, bunnies and puppies. Michael Kessler says, “These accessories are the perfect complement for the crib and nursery.”

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!

Chicken Rhythm, Crazy Fun

Meet Malvina Buonocore and Aliki Visser. These two ladies run a company in Belgium called Chicken Rhythm.

We’re spunky.
We like to laugh.
We’ve been friends for years.
Our kids go to the same school.
We see each other practically every day.
If we don’t, we’re on the phone.
We go on vacation together.
If we could, we’d be living together.

Now, these two are just the kind of ladies I’d like to meet. For years, the “Chicas” at Chicken Rhythm have been keeping me up to date with news of all the fabulous iron-on patches, fun children’s t-shirts and backpacks that these girls produce. They’re all pretty special, sporting unique, custom designs by artists – because Chicken Rhythm has a thing for art, in all its forms –especially bringing art to the people, both big and small.

Malvina and Aliki started the company in 2008 and work with a slew of talented illustrators, graphic designers, comic book artists or others such as Geertjan Tillmans, Sam De Buysscher, Marijn Dionys, Jan Werkt, Sabien Clement, Jan Truyens, Philip Paquet and Reinardus. The Chicas find ways to apply their designs to things they never thought possible.

What’s more, Malvina and Aliki are moms, too –so they produce products that can survive the wear and tear of both children … “and washing machines.” Available online for shoppers in the USA.

Crazy fun. Can’t you tell just by looking at them?

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!

The Gracious Style of Isabel Garreton

Adorn your daughters, nieces and granddaughters in the gracious style of beautiful clothes that reflect both the innocence and beauty of little girls.

The Isabel Garreton® collection is designed with comfort in mind, featuring elegant special occasion dresses, coats and Christening outfits designed for movement, growth and -of course- twirling. With sparkles sewn into fabrics that allow precious skin to breathe, cheeks to glow and small treasures to stay safe in hidden pockets, little girls feel as special as they look.

A line of handmade dolls are lovably soft and quite unique- kids create a customized version online, where they may select skin color, hairstyle, smile, clothing and name.

Isabel Garreton also offers lovely accessories for big girls, too –and recently launched Itsatwist, a collection of flexible hand-woven fabric pieces that can be worn as a scarf, wrap, top or anything else you can imagine. Quite fetching, I’d say!

My company brings timeless style, unique craftsmanship and extraordinary materials from Chile to your closet.

-Isabel Garreton

For over twenty years, Isabel’s company has provided a dignified work opportunity for disadvantaged women from her native country of Chile. All of the proceeds from the collection of women’s accessories, children’s clothing and handmade dolls go back to the women who created them. By teaching women time-honored skills like weaving and embroidery and employing them at her company, Isabel has provided them with a chance for happier and healthier lives.

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!

Ambition Activewear inspired by the First Lady

Created for children by children, Igloo Island is a comfortable, fun and stylish clothing brand that features two fabulous collections.

Recently featured zulily, the Ambition collection features activewear that motivates girls to get into fitness with trendy and stylish pieces they don’t mind wearing every day.

Ambition is clothing to motivate and perfect yourself. We encourage focus, fitness. We inspire the desire to do.

The line of breathable, stylish activewear is inspired by First Lady Michelle Obama’s Let’s Move! Campaign, an initiative to combat childhood obesity.

Igloo Island collection of mix and match pieces includes colorful solid and print dresses, tops, leggings and skirts.

Founder/designer Sandra Stollar supercharged the company with nearly 20 years’ experience in the garment industry, working closely with leading factories to source materials that are high-quality, comfortable, fun and environmentally friendly, such as bamboo. Sandra’s tween daughters Brittany and Cailin came up with the name of the company, as well as Igloo’s tagline: A Hot Place for Cool Kids. Both collections are available for girls sizes 4-6x and 7-14.

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!

Squishable Socks That Entertain

How does a former surf apparel executive start a baby clothing company? He is inspired by his twins … and the recent earthquake in Japan.

In their search for fun, practical clothing for their twins Kai and Lily, Matthew Sanders –former chief executive officer and president of Volcom Japan- and his wife Kanako are inspired by the Japanese aesthetic known as “kawaii”, which means “cute.” After the Japanese earthquake in 2011, they return to Southern California USA and set out to create a children’s apparel brand that appeals first to babies and toddlers.

Socks that entertain? The result is pipopipo (pronounced pee-po pee-po), a baby and toddler apparel and accessory company that designs age-appropriate clothes for children ages five and under that is fun to wear and practical to buy. The collection features signature pipopipo friends –whimsical characters that are fun, adventurous and kawaii– representing all that is good about being a kid.

Available this fall. pipopipo launches with a collection of eco-friendly infant sock sets, featuring 3-D faces designed to be touched and squished. Packaged in an eco-friendly, reusable bamboo box, the socks are rayon, made from sustainable bamboo, nylon, spandex and polyester. They’re also mold-, mildew- and odor-resistant, moisture wicking and thermal regulating, and non-slip, featuring Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act (CPSIA)-safe silicone on the bottom. And … they’re machine washable!

We believe in adventure, fun and blurring the lines between the real and imaginary. We’re always looking for new pals to play with. Won’t you come join us?

-pipopipo friends

Online fun. The company’s website, www.pipopipoclothing.com, is an interactive entertainment destination featuring storytelling and age-appropriate content for children five and under.

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!

The gDiapers Revolution

An “eco-adorable alternative to traditional diapering,” blending fashion with sustainability in a part disposable, part reusable diaper.

Happy baby, happy planet. Portland, OR-based gDiapers is a seven-year-old company that’s taking full responsibility for making babies’ bums not only cute, but fashionable, using natural and biodegradable materials –to keep the planet happy, too.

The gTeam at gDiapers gives parents the flexibility of a disposable diaper with a 100% biodegradable gRefill or they can opt for the reusability of super soft and trim-fitting gCloth inserts. gDiapers are plastic-free, elemental chlorine free, latex free and perfume free. gDiapers biodegradable gRefills are the only diaper to be certified 100% biodegradable. They can be home composted, tossed or flushed. And they are Cradle to Cradle certified, which means that everything that goes into making a gRefill gets reabsorbed by the planet in a neutral or helpful way. Add to this a colorful array of diaper covers and, “Even diapering can be fun and inspiring from a design perspective,” says VP of marketing Kate French.

Jason and Kim Graham-Nye, parents themselves, founded gDiapers after finding out some stunning statistics about conventional disposable diapers –like they’re the third largest contributors to landfills in the world, and it can take up to 500 years for a single disposable diaper to biodegrade. After finding a company in Tasmania that makes flushable diapers, the couple brought the concept to the U.S., and the rest is gHistory.

What does the “g” stand for? Check it out online … my favorite is, “groovy, thriving, ground-breaking company out to change the world of diapers.”

What it means to be g … genuine, green, groovy, gorgeous, giggle, giddy, grassroots, growing, grateful, gazing … you get the idea.

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!

Introducing Zooligans

Available in stores later this month, Zooligans™ by Roc-A-Bouts® have plenty of animal magnetism.

This brand new line of footwear for kids ages one through five can prove to be irresistible, as each little shoe looks just like an animal, complete with molded eyes and stitched on details. Each pair is tagged with the animal’s name, and kids can learn about its personality and quirky habits from reading the fun, educational story that’s included.

Zooligans animals –oh, I mean shoes- come in a nifty shoebox that’s reusable and recyclable. Like a fun toy, the box looks and acts like a pet carrier, so kids can use it to carry their Zooligans shoes or to carry their favorite stuffed animal. And when it’s time, it can be thrown right in the recycle bin.

Who can resist a shoe that looks you in the eye and smiles?

The Zooligans line is created by long time children’s shoe designer and former toy designer Joel Rusnak and his wife and marketer Cheryl Andonian. The team partnered with popular shoe company Roc-A-Bouts to manufacture a high-function, quality shoe featuring a unique Paw-Flex bottom, which looks like a paw and flexes like one, too. Made with soft leather uppers for natural breathability and comfort, the designers utilize an athletic shoe construction for excellent stability.

Later this April, look for eight characters of Zooligans in stores, including a kitty, monkey, bunny, gator, panda, koala, puppy and raccoon in either a Mary Jane style for girls or a fisherman sandal style for boys and girls.

I’m putting my request in for a shoe that looks like a goat (my favorite animal – and they’re feisty, 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!