News

Sammy & Nat Designer Samantha Benson

If you had told New Yorker Samantha Benson five years ago that today she would be helming her own baby clothing brand, she never would have believed it. But when she started shopping for gifts for her friends who were expecting, she couldn’t find anything that wasn’t covered in frills and “baby-ish” add-ons. “I wanted […]

What’s selling at Sugar Snap Pea in Charleston, South Carolina.

When Zhenya Kuhne decided it was time for a change in 2009, she visited Charleston and knew within 24 hours that it was meant to be her new home. Packing up her life in Chicago and leaving her job at Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia, Kuhne knew that she wanted to start her own business. She […]

Snug as a Bug

Rosie Arias had always gifted her friends with baby blankets to welcome their newest arrivals, but it wasn’t long before she became bored with the same old, same old she was seeing on the market. So she decided to put her 12 years of design and garment construction experience to good use and created her […]

Wee Rascals

We are all familiar with the usual superheroes, from Superman to Wonder Woman, who can be found on children’s apparel and accessories. But what if kids could wear real heroes on their shirts–heroes that have actually changed the world and would inspire little ones to do the same? Kelly Clayborne and Elizabeth Rich have set […]

What’s selling at William & Grace in Asheville, North Carolina.

Beloved by locals and tourists alike, Asheville, NC’s premier children’s store is going into its 10th year of business. Brenda Youngblood opened William & Grace at the suggestion of her daughter, who saw a void in the children’s market when she returned home after living in Atlanta. Named after Brenda’s grandchildren, the store has prospered […]

Out West

Earnshaw’s fashion team took a trip to the Wild West in January 2012. A towering teepee and a teetering old tree set the stage for three young pioneers whose Western wares pre-date the Chanel-inspired cowboy and indian phenomena that swept through fashion in 2013. Denim jackets, patterned peasant dresses and a profusion of plaid are […]

Light Bright

Does your store selection need a jolt? Meet Dedo Kids, a neon-hued new line for girls in sizes 2T to 6X. Inspired by the bright lights of music festivals, the brand’s Spring ’15 collection pops with hot pink, lime green and highlighter yellow on an array of everyday basics, including tiered skirts, tanks, tees, leggings, […]

Founder Cecile Reinaud at the opening of Seraphine’s first U.S. store.

British maternity line Seraphine has been outfitting stylish mamas-to-be for years, but the brand really hit the map when the Duchess of Cambridge sported several of its dresses–most notably the fuchsia knot-front number she wore in the family’s first portrait. The style immediately sold out, but it was just the beginning of big breaks for […]

Soleil Moon Frye reveals her go-to baby shower gift.

Christmas may be two months away but it’s never too early to start preparing for the holidays. Just ask Target. The Minneapolis, MN-based chain celebrated its holiday collection this afternoon in New York City with wall to wall of festive goodies. On hand to decorate gingerbread men and dispense sage advice was Soleil Moon Frye, […]

Day Two at PetiteParade

Ruum New Yorkers awoke to find a chill in the air on Sunday, so it was fitting that the second day of PetiteParade started off with the holiday collection from Ruum. Models bundled up for a winter wonderland, skipping down the runway in oversized scarves, silver skinnies and faux fur. Ice princesses wore white tights […]

Day One at Petite Parade

Looking for some of the children industry’s best brands, models and stylists? Join the parade! PetiteParade, that is. On Saturday, the popular runway event kicked off its seventh edition, this time at Bathhouse Studios in New York City’s East Village neighborhood. Weren’t able to make it this go round? We will be breaking down the […]

Kissy Kissy shares the loves with the launch of a new charitable campaign.

Stride Rite partners with The Little Gym to support Soles4Souls.

For more than 90 years, parents have protected children’s feet with Stride Rite, and now the Lexington, MA-based brand wants to help families across the United States find homes for their gently worn and previously loved footwear. The company, which has partnered with The Little Gym, is anticipating a massive donation of shoes to benefit […]

Amy Martini of Me & Mommy in North Myrtle Beach, South Carolina

Not soon after Amy Martini opened her kids’ boutique Me & Mommy in 2001 in Myrtle Beach, SC, some of her customers indirectly turned her on to the idea of providing matching duds for moms. “They would come in and say, ‘I’m buying all of this stuff for my kids. I want to get something […]

Laura Haiges of BellaBoo in Lancaster, PA

Born and raised in the heart of Amish country in Lancaster, PA, Laura Haiges always loved handmade clothing and traditional wooden toys reminiscent of the past. But when she started raising her three daughters, it seemed like all she and her husband Pete could find were mass-produced items of questionable quality. “I could never seem […]

Sally Whitehouse of Bright Beginnings in Austin, TX

Texas summers are almost always sweltering, and 30 years ago, Sally Whitehouse was having trouble finding lightweight, breathable cotton clothing for her two young kids. So, taking advantage of Austin’s local offerings, Whitehouse opened children’s store Bright Beginnings in 1983, selling mainly Texas-made cotton T-shirts and one-pieces crafted with tie-dye and batik techniques. Now, the […]

Paige Fitzgerald of The Lilypad in Rehoboth Beach, DE

The Fitzgerald family and The Lilypad children’s boutique go way back. Known as Susy K when it opened in 1984, the kids’ store has been a Delaware staple for families in search of the coolest duds for little guys and gals—which is why Paige Fitzgerald and her mother, Gayle, often stopped by the shop. And […]

Rebecca Moudachirou of Wild Child in Arlington, MA

Massachusetts children’s boutique Wild Child has weathered quite a bit of change since it first opened in 2005, says current owner Rebecca Moudachirou. Initially known as Wild Child, Wild Women, the store sold a mix of outdoorsy women’s and kids’ clothes. A few years later, a second owner took over and sold only kids’ clothing, […]

Ashley Martz of Nurture Baby and Toddler in Indianapolis, IN

When Ashley Martz, owner of Nurture Baby and Toddler in Indianapolis, took the store’s reins in August of 2011, she wasn’t exactly a stranger to the industry. In addition to 10 years of retail experience that included an Apparel Merchandising degree from Indiana University, Martz owns, designs and hand-makes her own clothing line, Elms & […]

Scene & Heard at Playtime New York and ENK Children’s Club

From celebrity appearances to information-packed seminars, the August editions of Playtime New York and ENK Children’s Club offered a whirlwind of activities for retailers in attendance. Even better, many exhibitors reported that business was brisk, with more retailers making bigger buys. Judging by the confidence of both buyers and brands, Spring ’15 should be a […]