The Biz: The Grapevine

Customizable Tootsa MacGinty Goes from Drizzle to Sizzle

By Mari Gold

Summer in the city inspires and informs the latest look from British brand Tootsa MacGinty. The company, which offers distinctive, unisex designs and high-quality knitwear, has nailed good looks with colorful appliqués that draw from vibrant city streets around the globe including New York, London, Barcelona, Rio and Paris. Brand-new looks for this summer include six city-themed embroidered patches created by artist Jennie Maizels.

The Grapevine

In the World of Kids’ Weather Gear, Aquarella Rains Supreme

By Emmi Kern

Today, even young kids want to look stylish no matter what the weather. Umbrellas and rain boots can seem clunky, dull and uncool, and kids may balk at getting dressed for wet days because they worry their rain clothes will harm their playground cred. Let’s not blame it all on the kids though; many parents are fashion-conscious as well and prefer their children to have rain gear that matches their other outerwear. Aquarella Kids may just have the answer. The children’s clothing retailer offers umbrellas, rain boots, backpacks, pencil cases, wallets and lunch boxes that can be bought separately or purchased together in coordinating sets.

The Grapevine

Kids Get the Royal Treatment with Crowns & Coronets

By Kelly Lee

As careful consumers, families not only want to provide beautiful, durable garments for their little ones, but also are mindful of the impact those purchases have on local economies. Helena Hubbard understands the desire to provide sophisticated designs that meet the values and ideals of an increasingly informed customer base. “We have seen an enthusiastic response to our commitment to handcrafting every garment in England,” explains Hubbard, the founder of Crowns & Coronets. She is committed to providing luxurious, natural clothing that makes every little prince and princess shine.

The Grapevine

Duux Puts Modern Style in Monitors and More

By Stephanie Hanlon

Sometimes the best things in life are simple. Duux makes simplicity stylish with their line of baby technology. No dancing lights, bright pink monitors, or animal-shaped humidifiers. The Duux founders felt bad for their fellow friends who tried to fit traditional colored baby electronics into their modern, stylish interior. Perfect for the parents who aren’t ready to trade style for substance, Duux flat out tells you: Duux is not for babies.

The Grapevine

Whodihoo Ties Fun to Fashion

By Kelly Lee

How can parents get an adorable look with little fuss and lots of style? One way to go is to punch up an outfit with a kid-sized tie: it makes a strong statement and few things are more attention-getting than a charming child with a cute tie. The problem is that knotting a tie so that it lays flat and looks sleek can make even the most dexterous fingers all thumbs. Whodihoo owners Chris Vea and Rodney Ishihara developed their idea as a simple solution to a knotty problem: the Slicknot Tie, which utilizes magnets to allow for a perfect look every time.

The Grapevine

Lisa Perry Creates a Vintage Vibe with Updated Designs

By Stephanie Hanlon

Color blocking and mod styles are making a big comeback, and not just on the adult runways. There’s nothing cuter on a little girl than a flared dress or a tailored coat. The looks at Lisa Perry are sophisticated but with just the right amount of girlish whimsy, perfectly on trend for the grade school gals. As Lisa began designing clothes mirroring the art of the late ‘60s and early ‘70s, people around her began reacting positively to her vintage vibe. With a focus on clean lines, geometric shapes, bold colors and minimalism, Lisa’s styles are chic updates to dated styles.

The Grapevine

Tots Step in High Style with Funky Feet Fashions

By Kelly Lee

Shropshire-based Funky Feet Fashions Ltd. combines the nostalgic charm of England with all that’s delightful for children. Since all of the company’s products are handcrafted in the United Kingdom, only high-quality designs roll out of the doors. While the company produces clothing, accessories, and other items, it is tops with bottoms — kids’ footwear, that is. FFF footwear is non-slip and designed especially for little feet. Demand for the footwear has been strong, causing the company to bolster its UK team. With phenomenal customer response, it’s easy to see why the company is expanding its footwear designs.

The Grapevine

Cash in with Cashmere by LabelLamb

By Mari Gold

For softness, warmth without weight, and the luxe that is inherent to the material, nothing beats cashmere. This much sought-after fabric is what makes up the high quality items produced by LabelLamb, a Yorkshire, England-based company that offers very special clothes for special kids. Not only are the garments crafted from cashmere, but this is recycled cashmere, so it benefits the planet while being kind to the sheep who provide the yarn. Handmade with care and lots of love, items from LabelLamb are all one of a kind so there is never a chance of duplication.

The Grapevine

Little Jalo, Swedish Style

By Kelly Lee

Swedish company Little Jalo has its eye on developing the finest in children’s products. Started by industry veteran Marie Sammeli, Little Jalo brings the best of kids fashion into line with the finest in materials and design. But Little Jalo’s Euro-style is not only popular on the continent. “We have had a very good consumer response,” Sammeli explains. The mother of four has a strong vision for the company’s products — beautiful, earth-friendly, sustainable creations — and knows how to meld it with the durability and quality that parents need.