The Biz: The Grapevine

Haiti Babi: Keeping Families Together

By Stephanie Hanlon

The age-old adage about teaching man to fish holds universally true, and never more so than at Haiti Babi. Many of the 500,000 children in Haitian orphanages are put there by parents who simply cannot afford to provide for them. Haiti Babi was created with the crucial mission to keep kids with their parents. What does it take to keep kids out of orphanages and with their parents? It sounds so simple: get parents work. Putting moms to work is just one of Haiti Babi’s missions. A job empowers these moms to earn a living while caring for their families. Haiti Babi hires moms in Haiti to knit and crochet high-quality artisan baby goods.

The Grapevine

Paris Meets Provence at Petit Lucette

By Emmi Kern

Many times the history of a children’s product company is a family story. Juvenile product and fashion entrepreneurs tend to be influenced and inspired by the young people in their lives, or by experiences they had in their own youths. There’s something about two people who grew up with the same influences, but who developed their own unique creative visions that they can merge in a harmonious way. Petit Lucette is one such company. Founders Anais Viel Castel and Clemence Laubier are sisters who grew up in Paris.

The Grapevine

Vintage Is the Sticky Fudge Soft Spot

By Emmi Kern

When vintage clothing lovers have kids, many of them want to pass down their appreciation to the next generation. After all, who doesn’t love a baby or child in vintage clothing? The softer, more innocent styles suit the spirit of childhood, and these classic garments are usually very well made. Of course, authentic vintage children’s clothing can be difficult to find, so some enterprising clothing makers offer new clothing that’s inspired by vintage style and quality. Sticky Fudge is one of the most successful brands in that category.

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Babyhome Introduces Air Bassinet, Practical in Every Way

By david gaunt

Barcelona, Spain-based Babyhome, an award-winning manufacturer of high-quality children’s products, introduces the Air Bassinet. Babyhome’s newest bassinet model offers a range of innovative features to meet the practical needs of parents.The Air Bassinet comes complete with a handy changing pad that easily attaches to the bassinet with a zipper to allow for parents to conveniently dress and undress baby. For parents’ complete peace of mind and baby’s comfort, Air also has a practical mesh window hidden on its side under the fabric.

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Kissy Kissy's Fall/Winter '15 Collection Celebrates Variety

By Caletha Crawford

Kissy Kissy’s Fall/Winter 2015 collection showcases the brand’s range with a collection spanning whimsical to sophisticated. The Peruvian Pima cotton clothing brand uses an imaginative mix of colors, prints, accents and fabrics to create a line as diverse as the moms, grandmas and gift-givers who love it. The delightful mix — including hearts and flowers, vikings and cowboys, cupcakes and candy, chicks and bunnies, cars and trucks, crowns and tiaras, ribbons and bows, and stripes and dots — stays true to the brand’s aesthetic, while also creating a look for every day and every baby.

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LittleLife Helps Kids Rule the Road

By Emmi Kern

Sometimes, the right gear makes all the difference. When a child is comfortable and organized, he or she is better able to enjoy the experience of being outdoors. LittleLife is a division of Lifemarque, a UK-based company that offers camping and travel gear in grown-up sizes. LittleLife takes that same adventurous vision and high-quality craftsmanship and applies it to gear and accessories for kids. Rather than just making miniature versions of adult gear, LittleLife adds its own kid-friendly style and flair to its line without sacrificing functionality. Even the littlest adventurers can enjoy this company’s products, thanks to the wide array of eye-catching choices.

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New Bébé au Lait Nursing Pillow Provides the Ultimate in Comfort and Style

By david gaunt

Bébé au Lait^®, the category leader for Nursing Covers announces today the launch of the Comfort by Design Nursing Pillow – breathing fresh life into the Nursing Pillow Category. After 10 years of helping moms to breastfeed in public with comfort and confidence, the company looked to nursing moms to help design a Nursing Pillow that’s as comfortable as it is stylish. The Nursing Pillow’s most notable comfort feature is the deluxe, double-layer design — which gives the option of a flat, firm surface or a plush, soft surface. Additional comfort features include an easy-to-use positioning strap with quick-release buckle, and an ultra-soft, premium cotton cover.

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French Company Babymoov Begins Moving Its Innovative Products to the U.S.

By david gaunt

Babymoov, the award-winning French juvenile products company, has launched its products for distribution throughout the United States. From the beginning, Babymoov has endeavored to be the brand that thinks outside the box to reinvent the everyday life of parents by providing reliable, highly designed and technologically advanced products. Babymoov will launch five product categories — Feeding, Well Being, Comfort, Gear, and Safety — at the ABC Kids Show and begin shipping to U.S. retailers in late September.

The Grapevine

Hot Stuff for Cool Girls

By Mari Gold

Fun and cool, Dirtee Hollywood hails from sunny California where thinking is free and fashions are just slightly nutty in a ultra-cool way. The Donuts Dress is a confection that will win raves from tweens who breathe fuchsia and pink; it’s crafted from ninety-five percent polyester and five percent spandex so bye bye wrinkles and hello great fit. Donuts’ top ends in pink trim; the dress itself is covered with what else –– depictions of girls’ favorite sugary, round sweet. The Cupcake Dress is similarly styled with the top straps in gray or black and the body design featuring predominately pink and yellow cupcakes.