Smocked Polkadot Takes Manhattan

Founder Ashley Hensley poses with family.

Celebrating its debut at The Market at Macys this month, Southern-inspired label Smocked Polkadot partnered with Earnshaw’s and Magnolia PR to host a launch party at Coco J’Adore in downtown Manhattan. The chic French restaurant, brimming with Insta-worthy decor, welcomed a V.I.P. list of elite moms, bloggers and retailers—along with their kids—for a selection of yummy treats, grown-up drinks, beauty stations, dress-up, photo ops and a peek at Smocked Polkadot’s Winter ’19 collection (available now at Macy’s)  and its Spring ’20 collection (available for retailers to order nationwide).

“The event went above and beyond my expectations,” says Ashley Hensley, founder and designer of Smocked Polkadot. “To be able to host our first event in New York was an amazing experience that allowed me to connect with so many wonderful moms, bloggers and local retailers.”

The party was attended by actress Alyssa Cheatham (played Will Smith’s daughter in the film Collateral Beauty and currently in three Netflix movies), Instagram influencers @LullabiesandLouboutins, @NYTrendyMoms, @DowntownChicMoms, @Mom_Uptown, @TheVeryBestBabyStuff, @StrollerIntheCity, model Aria De Chicchis and stylist Bonnie Aunchman, among several others.

Earnshaw’s editor Emily Beckman plays dress-up with mini models.

“We met some amazing people that have already been of tremendous help to us,” Hensely says, noting the Spring ’20 collection received particularly positive feedback during the event. Offering a fun spin on traditional styles, Smocked Polkadot presented an assortment of classic spring silhouettes in bright colors and fun patterns.

Guests enjoy complimentary beauty services.

“We do not sell our wholesale line on our website, so it is very specific to the retailers who stock it,” Hensley says, noting that’s been helpful in forming new relationships. “I look forward to these connections from Macy’s and the launch party to begin growing into long-lasting friendships.”

Available in sizes newborn to 6, Smocked Polkadot’s holiday collection is selling now at Macy’s pop-up market in New York’s Herald Square until Nov. 9. Visit smocked-polkadot.com for more details, and check out the Insta hashtag #SmockedPolkadotTakesManhattan for more photos from the launch event!