The Biz: The Grapevine

“Oil & Water” Takes the Kids Fashion World by Storm

By Emmi Kern

On the evolutionary chain of children’s rain gear, there isn’t exactly a staggering amount of change. If you look at family photos and magazines from the 1950s up to today, you’ll probably notice that children’s rain gear looks very much the same, with a few minor changes and updates. Is there anything new under the sun when it comes to the rain? Maybe. Rain gear from Oil & Water gives new life to these everyday pieces and makes puddle-hopping more fun than ever. Sure, there’s the classic yellow slicker, but shoppers also discover some new wet-weather options like cozy field jackets, haute couture opera coats and pretty ponchos.

The Grapevine

Sado is Vintage Inspired Fashion for Today’s Girls

By Laura Vaillancourt

Sado Inc. is a vintage inspired clothing line for girls 12 months to 10 years. It is a mix-and-match line full of unique fabrics, ruffles and trims. It has a natural feel that is still fun and girly. Sado Inc. just released a women’s line too, so now mothers and daughters can dress alike. Owner Samantha Miller speaks on Sado’s success: “I feel like moms have been looking for a casual clothing line that can be worn on a daily basis, but is different from what you find at big box stores. Sado Inc. is unique, comfortable, affordable and lovely on every level.”

The Grapevine

Boboli: Bright Ideas from Sunny Spain

By Emmi Kern

There are many reasons why American parents have a romance with European fashions for their kids. There’s the general allure of all things exotic and different, and the idea that European imports represent a chic, affluent lifestyle. The truth is that European clothing for kids is often high quality and stylish in its own unique way. Of course, Europe is a whole continent encompassing many cultures, each with its own particular style sense. Boboli is a company that represents Spain with its fun, colorful children’s clothing.

The Grapevine

Empress Arts Impresses with Beautiful Gifts

By Laura Vaillancourt

Empress Arts offers a complete package for the gift industry: high quality, beautiful products, and pricing designed to include anyone who enjoys unique gift gifting. Owner Kathy Tanabe states, “We love kids and feel that there’s not really a lot of time before they are grown and want parents to cherish as many special moments as possible by providing well thought out products that make people smile.” Empress Arts has been able to grow by continuing to do trade shows and use sales reps though the years. They feel it is important to meet customers face to face and hear what they have to say.

The Grapevine

L'il Kitch is Kitchy in the Kitchen

By Laura Vaillancourt

L’il Kitch is a line from Joie Shop which carries some of the most unique kitchen and household items. From wine stoppers to Christmas tree toppers, Joie Shop offers modern, charming designs. L’il Kitch creates kitchen tools aimed at kids to get them interested in cooking in a playful way. They designed their items revolving around that philosophy and trying to bring as much joy as possible to the process of making meals as a family.

The Grapevine

Tubby Table Serves Up Bath Time Fun

By Stephanie Hanlon

If commercials are any indication, baby bath time is supposed to be a joyful bonding experience with sweet-smelling soaps and relaxing bald-headed massages. The reality for most parents is wishing for another four hands and an hour spent cleaning puddles of water from the bathroom floor. The creative minds behind Tubby Table experienced the latter with their active toddlers and worked out a solution to make bath time more fun with less mess.

The Grapevine

Switch a roo Goes from Holiday to Everyday

By Emmi Kern

One of the joys of having kids is getting them dressed for the holidays. It’s not just the frilly dresses or cute mini tuxedos; it’s the nearly endless array of more casual holiday wear that parents can’t resist. Every year, department and discount stores are stocked with new shirts, pants and sweats sporting seasonal images and sayings. It’s easy to grab these items as impulse purchases, and they make for great holiday photos, but sometimes parents end up asking themselves whether the expenditure was worth it. Now there’s Switch a roo, a clothing line that uses interchangeable appliqués to take an outfit “from holiday to everyday and back again”.

The Grapevine

Hilda.Henri Merges Handcraft Tradition with Modern Sensibility

By Stephanie Hanlon

Inspired by old handcraft traditions, magical places in nature, enchanted buildings and the magic of childhood, Hilda.Henri makes modern, sustainable couture for small adventurers, urban elves, dreamers and little artists. The brand does this by using something that might sound old-school: boiled wool. But there’s nothing archaic about this brand or its style. The milled loden of Hilda.Henri garments stands for unique material made from pure nature. All items from the Hilda.Henri collection are made in Austria under the rules of traditional exquisite craftsmanship.

The Grapevine

Thule: Engineered for Active Families

By Emmi Kern

Sweden has always been ahead of the game when it comes to active lifestyle. Nowadays, “crunchy” moms, outdoors enthusiasts, and weekend warriors all over the world are using Swedish gear to make their outward bound experiences easier and more fun. Founded in 1942, Thule is one of the most respected outdoor gear companies in Sweden. The company creates products like bike carriers, backpacks, ski racks, and more that make it simple to bring sporting gear just about anywhere. Now, Thule is offering its unique products to parents who want to include infants and children in their active lives.