Items tagged “Tweens (7-12 years)”

PLAE Makes Footwear Absolutely “Tabulous”

By Emmi Kern

It’s time to PLAE! This unique shoe company is at the forefront of design and function, offering customizable shoes that look great and promote healthy foot development. One look at this fancy footwear will make most kids beg to have a pair, and will have grown-ups wishing that they’d had shoes this cool when they were young. What’s so special about PLAE shoes? They look great for many reasons, but it’s all about the tabs. All Velcro shoes have fastening tabs, but PLAE takes it up a notch. Customers can purchase additional fastening tabs in a mind-boggling variety of colors and prints, so that they can create a whole new look for their shoes whenever the mood strikes.

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.

Show Reports

Exhibitors are Tops at AmericasMart

By Kelly Lee

The Atlanta International Gift & Home Furnishings Market® - Atlanta, Georgia (1/7/14 - 1/13/14)

“The response was amazing!” And that about sums it up for the The Atlanta International Gift & Home Furnishings Market. Companies that exhibited at the January 2014 market were unanimous in declaring that it was a hit. With more than seven million square feet of space for exhibitors, AmericasMart Atlanta can afford bragging rights. Its new app launched to rave reviews, scoring in the top ten business apps, according to iTunes. In January alone, new buyer rates went up double digits, indicating an increasing wave of interest. Companies that made their mark at the event include Livie & Cole, Fizoos, Night Buddies and FoneFace.

The Green Scene

Lucky & Me Undergarments are a Bunch of Softies

By Kelly Lee

“They are very soft, daddy.” This testimonial by a small boy lasers in on the primary focus of Lucky & Me undergarments: comfortable, breathable foundational pieces that make parents happy and little kids want to share their enthusiasm. Rochelle Perera, co-founder of Lucky & Me, set out to create undergarments that were soft, comfortable, and safe. She found a ready audience. “We’ve had a great response from the customer – parents who appreciate high-quality products love Lucky & Me underwear,” Perera exclaimed. Lucky & Me undergarments are all about the child’s comfort. They are tagless and the elastic trims don’t tug or pull at the skin.

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.

Show Reports

What’s New at the New York Now Trade Show?

By Emmi Kern

NY Now - New York City, New York (2/1/14 - 2/6/14)

NY Now, formerly the New York International Gift Fair, is almost here again! The huge trade show – one of the largest of its kind in the world – is slated to run from February 1-6 at the Jacob Javitz Center in New York City, and will include some of the most successful home and lifestyle businesses in the industry, as well as those making their way to the top. Among the impressive line-up of exhibitors are some promising up-and-coming children’s product sellers, including BeanPatch & Co., Lava Lunch, Free Like Birdie, and Luca & Company

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

Rubber Duckie Makes a Splash for Water Conservation

By Emmi Kern

Saving water is an important step in conserving our earth’s resources but many find it difficult to do. Low-flow shower heads are one of the most common ways to avoid wasting household water. ConservCo, a Nevada-based plumbing distributor, has taken on the challenge of creating products that save water without diminishing the convenience of everyday life. Their Rubber Duckie & Friends line of shower heads for kids allows youngsters to enjoy bath time even more, while helping keep water usage to a minimum. The shower heads are available in five characters: the classic duck, a rhino, a frog, a hippo and a dolphin.

The Grapevine

Crushing on Love Frankie

By Stephanie Hanlon

Some pregnant women obsess over chocolate and pickles, but not Johanna Franks. When she was pregnant, her cravings were more about cloth. After leaving her interior design job to stay home with her two children, she was itching for something creative to cling to. Instead of letting her diaper days get her down, Johanna found inspiration in her children. Their ceaseless curiosity and effervescent nature gave her the gumption to create Love Frankie. She took her love of kids and her love of color, mixed it with vintage fabric finds and great Scandinavian design, and founded a line of kids clothing your customers will love.

The Grapevine

Kids Tops at Wolf & Rita

By Kelly Lee

Specialization leads to mastery, as evidenced by the designs at Wolf & Rita. The Portuguese company, founded by sisters Sonia and Claudia Rocha, was originally launched in 2013 to provide children with the finest in quality shirts. The influence of tradition cannot be overlooked: after all, the company is based in Guimarães, a UNESCO heritage site recognized for its importance to the country’s national history. The strength and perseverance of the culture are woven into the fabric of the designs.

Features

Kickstart Your Business

By Stephanie Hanlon

Artsy types wanting to make money from their creative talents can now jumpstart their ventures with Kickstarter. Getting public funding for mass production allows creators to realize their dreams while allowing retailers to line their shelves with new products. As spring arrives, offer your earthy types the UltraCompact baby carrier from Bitybean. Help families talk directly to kids through their toys with Toymail Co. The designer of the newest plush pocket pals at Poketti is a kid herself, raising money for her animal toy line. MinkeeBlue has taken the weight off women’s shoulders by offering one bag for every situation.

Items tagged “Tweens (7-12 years)”

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