New York City played host to an international set of childrenswear designers and buyers attending Playtime New York (Aug. 2-4) and ENK Children’s Club (Aug. 3-5). The trade fairs showcased the finest fabrications, trends and designs on tap for the Spring ’15 season, while a new class of designers with backgrounds as diverse as the styles they offer–including a former stylist, a women’s wear designer and at least one actress–presented their debut lines. Here’s a sneak peek at the newest brands bringing function, innovation and plenty of kid-friendly whimsy to childrenswear in Spring ’15.
Women’s cashmere label White + Warren is expanding its luxurious fabrications to infants size 0 to 12 months. The newly launched line includes cashmere cardigans, three-packs of socks and caps in sophisticated shades of cream and gray. Delicate neon yellow and lime stripes add an unexpected twist to the traditional pieces. Next summer, look for an all cotton collection, as well as broader distribution for the company, which is increasing its international footprint.
New to the U.S., Golf for Kids, brings kid-friendly details like pops of hot pink and fun graphics to the putting green. As the sport grows, the Colombia-based brand sees potential to build out the line, which includes polo shirts and shorts for boys and girls size 2 to 8. Each garment is made with moisture-wicking material that holds up for at least 40 home washes.
Parigi Group signed a multi-year license agreement with Ferrari S.p.A., the luxury sports car manufacturer, to design, produce and market a collection of sportswear for children ages newborn to 12 years. Marco Srour, CEO of Parigi Group, said, “Anyone who truly knows me understands how deep my passions run for the Ferrari brand. It’s one of the trues loves in my life.” The spring line will be targeted to department stores and specialty stores in the U.S. and Canada.
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One Black Egg brings an edgy, art-house feel to childrenswear with its signature eye artwork. The California-based company mixes Italian and Japanese cottons and linens with refined, unisex silhouettes including tees, cardigans, long-sleeve shirts and yoga-style pants. A muted color palette of gray, tan and blue lends itself to mix-and-matching.
Nancy Vuu, a new line of kid-to-tween dresses and gowns, delivers drama in the form of ruffled sleeves, lavish layers of tulle and romantic prints. The designer, who comes from an editorial background, specializes in vintage-inspired special occasion wear that harken back to the Victorian era with lace embellishments, high necklines and bustles. The line also includes more contemporary slip dresses for tween girls and boy’s suiting accented with metallic peacock feather lining. Vuu said she plans to produce original prints soon.
Actress and mom of three young boys, Melissa Joan Hart, is dabbling in design with her new line, coined King of Harts, for ages 2 to 12. The SoCal-inspired collection features novelty tees with shark, surfer and lobster motifs, denim shirts, paint splattered shorts and lightweight jackets with camouflage print. Ninety-eight percent of the line is sourced and made in the States.
Baby and kid brand Beau Loves brings its quirky British sensibility to the U.S. for the first time. The range’s punk rock-meets-super hero graphics–primarily in bold blocks of black, silver and gold–deliver a cool, downtown vibe to the otherwise comfy and cozy grouping of cotton jogger pants, leggings and T-shirts. The line plays with ethereal digital prints on dressier silhouettes for girls.
Boys’ line East End Highlander is in the business of creating unique twists on casual-meets-formal apparel. Designed and manufactured in Japan with all Japanese cotton fabrications, the range of button-down shirts with diagonal collars, spotted chambray shirts and slim cut sweatpants are built durability, while a complementary range of silk bowties and suspenders add a dapper touch.
A blend of cotton candy-like hues and lightweight fabrications from Dress Rags captures the bright days of summer. The Made in the U.S. girls line, available in sizes 2 to 8 years, uses Japanese-sourced materials that are dip-dyed for a painterly ombré effect. Designer Kelsey Thomas likens the look to snow cones. Pale shades of teal, pink and blue are juxtaposed with neon ribbons and straps.
From simple lace sheath dresses to princess frocks, famed bridal label Kleinfeld has added Kleinfeld Pink for girls 18 months to 12 years to its bridal party. The line, produced by Kahn Lucas, hones in on traditional flower girls looks and holiday dresses, and it will expand to communion in the spring. Fine department stores will get the first run of frocks this fall, however, the company is planning to open up to specialties for Spring ’15.
Casual men’s brand Tailor Vintage is sizing down its relaxed coastal looks for its first boys line. Spanning Madras shirts hand-woven in India to reversible swim trunks and polo shirts with kitschy pineapple prints, president Richard Rosenthal said the line was in demand from its retail partners, including Nordstrom, and fills a void in the boys’ market for preppy cool threads.
Atlanta-based designer Callen Runyan brings her experience in womenswear to girls size 2 to 6 years in her new collection of sportswear called Calibeth. The line blends fashion-forward silhouettes inspired by a new wave of chic activewear (leggings, tops with hi-low hems) with dreamy layers of color and prints reminiscent of Sharpie drawings. The line is produced in Los Angeles.