Playtime NY Wows with American and International Goods

The 7th edition of Playtime New York took place August 3-5, 2013 with ninety-plus international brands proudly showcasing their Spring-Summer 2014 collections. This was the first appearance at Playtime for more than one-third of the exhibitors. 51% of the exhibitors were U.S. companies; the other 49% were from other countries. Attendance was slightly down from the last summer Playtime, attributed to the new venue downtown in the Wall Street area. Buyers were aided by three trend spaces: Supergraphic, with hypnotic geometry and flashy colors that included work by artist Melissa Godoy Nieto; Starfish with sailor motifs and work by Dana Haim; and Green Carpet featuring natural tones and materials with art by Ritsuko Hirai. 1,412 visitors attended. Liberty London, Dizzy Dress, Little Italy and Merino Kids were brands that captured our attention.

Luxe from Liberty London

Among the new looks from Liberty London for baby girls are the multicolored print cotton bloomers in a gorgeous Liberty print with layers of ruffles at the back and elastic at the leg openings and waistband. A white cotton dress features the pink floral Betsey Liberty print with three buttons marching up the center of the back, smock detailing on the front and a full pleated skirt. The Minnie print frill romper suit has snaps at the legs for changing ease, long sleeves and feet so a little one can sleep or hang out warmly. It fits babies six to eighteen months.

The Marco hooded coat would be a stunner on any little guy with a round collar and hood for when winds blow, long sleeves and two slanted front pockets for a touch of ‘tude. This coat fits sizes 6 through 18 months.

A bib in one of the Liberty patterns is the perfect approach to crumb-catching in style and comes in the Chive pattern as well as Kettle and Bud, Amy Jane and others.

To safeguard that precious first tooth, show your customers the round pewter baby box from the Lancaster and Gibbings collection. This heirloom-quality gift features a textured lid engraved with “First Tooth,” so parents can keep that memento safe for years to come.

The Liberty Look: www.liberty.co.uk

Dizzy Dress Offers Double Delights

Happiness is a reversible dress with oodles of twirl and that is what Dizzy Dress is all about. This exciting two-year-old brand includes a single-minded product benefit that consumers clearly “get”: twirly, reversible, pretty-dizzy fashion! Product properties such as its two layers of full-circle, seamless skirts (one skirt made of jersey, the other skirt made of 100% cotton batiste), hand stitched Dizzy Eyes logo, and reversible-two-in-one dress add to its unique appeal.

Founder/President/Designer, Tricia Matoto-de Santo, is a 20-plus-year creative advertising veteran who is in the business of building her brand. She takes every photograph, writes every piece of copy, builds all websites, art directs and designs all the ads. If that isn’t enough, this year she will also begin homeschooling her seven-year old daughter, the inspiration for Dizzy Dress.

Some buyers display one dress over another for even more fun and twirl. Each dress can be turned inside out for a whole new look, and creativity even extends to packaging which encloses the dress in a cute bag tied with a deliberately tattered ribbon and handmade logo. Hearts are enclosed with the dress so the young wearer can find the button on her dress and add decorations. Each dress comes with instructions on how to wear, the hearts, and the bonus of butterfly cutouts!

Two looks in one winner: www.dizzydress.com

Little Italy: Amore for Bambini

Bring the charm and warmth of Italy into your shop and your customers’ lives. Pima cotton, harvested by hand, is the mainstay fabric of Little Italy, a company that brings to life the colors, spice, and fun that Italians seem to have all the time! Products are full of energy and handmade illustrations that embellish the garments, all made by an Italian lover and inhabitant, so they truly reflect the spirit of the country and its people.

Display a sweet-as-pie baby girl one-piece in a multicolored print on a white ground, embellished with pleats on the chest and delicate edging at the neck and sleeves. A one-piece for a little guy sports a white ground with manly gray and black trim and a cool chest patch pocket. The same look also comes as a long-sleeve shirt for cooler temperatures.

A sleeveless dress features a bird perched on the edge of a cup of — what else — granita, the Italian icy treat! A black ruffle and black trim at the neck and armholes add to the sophistication of this look.

Pima cotton is considered by many to be the best choice for baby’s skin as it does not peel and has a unique softness. Moms praise Pima because it machine washes beautifully, as the long cotton fibers give the fabric great durability.

A taste of Italy at www.littleitalykids.com

Make Mine Merino!

The newest offering from Merino Kids is special (and especially soft) sleepwear and bedding for the tiniest household occupants. Snuggle a baby into the Cocooi Swaddle that adjusts to fit a baby’s body, especially across the tiny chest. The beauty of merino wool is that it stretches to conform to a baby’s body shape and stays firmly in place. This garment breathes, absorbing and releasing moisture so it keeps a baby warm when it is chilly and cool in warmer temps. The smooth, non-irritating surface feels cozy against a baby’s skin; is available in a host of colors like mint, cream, blue, honeyoat, raspberry and turtle dove and has a vent so caregivers can easily secure their charge safely in stroller or car. Designed for newborns, the sleep bag, with ample room for little legs to stretch, comes in the same soft color palette.

This New Zealand company has won many awards for its sleepwear designs made for newborns, babies and toddlers. Only natural fabrics are used to ensure that little bodies come up against a super-soft, comfy feel.

A merino all-in-one outfit has a crossover neck so it fits perfectly and is available in Dove Grey, Fairyrose and French Navy Stripe to fit 3-6 months and 6-12 months. Long sleeve pajamas make baby’s bedtime delightful, as does the long-sleeve gown, both in super-fine merino wool. A merino/cotton throw in a cable knit design is a perfect layer for car seat or stroller and comes in cream or gray — it’s so soft and cuddly, Mom may be tempted to borrow it for her own nap!

Lullaby a baby with a classic embroidered sheet in a Dragonfly pattern with over 2000 threads per square inch of fabric. The set includes a fitted and flat sheet, with pillowcases also available. The same elegant design is also available as a single sheet set. The Dragonfly look spreads its wings on an embroidered one hundred percent cotton sleeper that keeps a baby wrapped regardless of his or her sleep Olympics, and reduces the need for sheets and blankets.

For more information, visit www.merinokids.com