CPSC Draft Issues Interpretive Rule on Defining Children's Products
The Consumer Product Safety Commission has issued a draft of its proposed interpretive rule, providing guidance on how the term "children's product" is to be defined and determined under the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act.
Mamiye Expands Wallflower Denim Kids’ Range
Mamiye Brothers Inc. of New York is growing its new in-house girls' denim brand, Wallflower, which it introduced on a trial basis last fall. Already available in sizes 7 to 16, the line will encompass sizes 2T through 7 for Fall '10. According to vice president of sales Alan Lite, the Wallflower line consists primarily of bottoms, with an emphasis on the latest denim trends in the juniors market. For back to school, styles range from trend-right jeans (think embroidered, embellished and appliqued) to jeggings (both denim and knit), skirts and more.
Kiki Minky Acquires Razzle Baby
Coppell, Texas-based baby blanket line Kiki Minky by Double C Designs has acquired blanket manufacturer Razzle Baby, originally of Keller, Texas. Kiki Minky co-owner Lee Gunder plans to keep the companies separate and the brands' distinct styles intact. "The acquisition allows us to expand our customer base and has enabled us to provide a wider array of fabulous baby accessories," Gunder noted.
Mighty Fine Launches e-Commerce Site
Licensed T-shirt manufacturer Mighty Fine of Los Angeles recently launched a new website, www.WeLoveFine.com, for consumers to directly shop its product lines. According to the company, the MiniFine children's collections were added to the site last week.
Browsers will find graphic tees featuring Hello Kitty, Marvel, Peanuts characters and more. The site also features a "do it yourself" area for shoppers to customize their own shirts. Site subscribers receive 15-percent off their purchases, and the company is offering a free tote bag with every order. Visit www.mightyfineinc.com.
Knuckleheads Founder Launches Charity for Foster Families
Melissa Nash, the founder of Vancouver, Wash.-based Knuckleheads Clothing, has founded a new charity called Little Threads Foundation to provide clothing, shoes, blankets and plush products to children who are placed in foster care, helping to alleviate the financial burden for foster families.
New Online Database Compiles All GOTS-Certified Companies
The Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS) recently re-launched its website, www.Global-standard.org, which includes an online database of all companies it has certified. In 2009, approximately 1,500 companies with a total of 2,811 facilities in 55 countries around the world were certified to the organic apparel and textile standard--nearly a 40-percent increase over the number certified in 2008.
Playtime Details Plans for New York Show
International trade show Playtime will hold its first New York event July 31-Aug. 2 at Soho's 82 Mercer, according to event director Sebastien de Hutten. The U.S. version follows Playtime Paris, which launched in 2006, and Playtime Tokyo, which bowed last year.
JC Penney to Bow Supergirl by Nastia
JC Penney will debut the Supergirl by Nastia lifestyle brand in July through a three-year exclusive partnership with gymnast Nastia Liukin and Warner Bros. Consumer Products, which owns the property. The line will target girls 8 to 12 with knit dresses, tunics, burnout and foil T-shirts, tie-dye hoodies, pants and leggings as well as dance and fleece activewear.
Benetton Enters Exclusive Partnership with Nordstrom
In a first for the company, United Colors of Benetton will offer its youth sizes for both the Benetton and Sisley brands outside of its corporate stores. Nordstrom will begin offering the brands in store and online for fall. General merchandise manager Curtis Shalo said the deal with Nordstrom will give the brand increased visibility in the United States. "Since we do not truly market or advertise our stores in the U.S.
NRF Names New President/CEO
The National Retail Federation of Washington D.C. has announced that Matt Shay, previously the president and CEO of the International Franchise Association, has been selected as its next president and CEO following the retirement of current CEO Tracy Mullin, who has served in that role for 17 years. Shay will be formally elected at the NRF board meeting on June 22.




