Loop Collection was started two-years ago by two knit designers who believed that what goes around, comes around.  The line of sweaters and blankets are made from recycled cotton, which eliminates harsh chemical dyeing processes, reduces land use for crops and in turn the need for fertilizers and pesticides.  All of Loop’s materials and products are made in the U.S.

Not only are Loop’s products made responsibly, but they look great.  Many of the looks are vintage-inspired and so cozy looking.  The collection is for boys and girls and is available online on TheLoopCollection.com.

The Little Hummingbird is a one year old line based out of and made in Los Angeles that focuses on sweet, easy to wear kid’s clothing.  These are clothes that are comfortable enough to play and nap in but don’t skimp on style.  In fact, there were a few pieces that I wish came in my size.  Rather than relying on embellishment, The Little Hummingbird focuses on smaller details such as contrast fabric appliques and lovely buttons.  Each season, The Little Hummingbird chooses a non-profit organization and donates a portion of their proceeds.  You can purchase The Little Hummingbird on ParasolsBoutique.com.

Holt and Lulu is a line in it’s second season based in Seattle with all products made in the U.S.  The collection features stylish pieces for boys and girls and the goal is to create “really cool clothes in really little sizes.”  Some of my favorite pieces from the fall-winter 2012 collection included denim jackets, faux fur vests, tees with bow ties and a bubble faux leather skirt.  Sizing ranges fro 2-6x and retail prices range from $49 to $108 (not bad for made in the U.S!).  You can purchase these adorable pieces on the HoltandLulu online store (coming soon).

One of my favorite brands that I discovered at Playtime New York is Atsuyo et Akiko.  Based in Brooklyn, Atsuyo Yang & Akiko Mukae offer a selection of children’s clothing, decor, bags, accessories and jewelry.  The screen printed designs immediately caught my eye and the little ONESi’s with clever sayings and graphics are perfect for mini, baby hipsters.  There’s a natural feel, look and almost Parisian sensibility to the line that I love.  The accessories are adorable and a ton of fun and I especially love the pillows.  Atsuyo et Akiko collaborates with artists and designers and their latest collaborations include projects with Jess Brown and Disney.  All accessories and screen printing is done in Brooklyn and you can purchase pieces on the Atsuyo et Akiko webstore.  See some of my favorite pieces in the collection below…

I was instantly captivated the first time I saw Jess Brown dolls (those mysterious dolls on display at Petite Parade). There was something about the eyes and the sweet little mouths that drew me in.  They were very simple dolls but incredible adorable.  Since they are made from fabric and soft, I could instantly see these dolls being toted around by little girls everywhere.

Jess Brown dolls are all handmade in her studio in Petaluma, California.  She sources vintage fabrics for the doll dresses and you can order a customized doll by choosing the hair color and clothing.  Her newest addition to the line of dolls is an elephant with soft fabric floppy ears – very cute.  If these dolls look familiar at all to you, it may be because she created an exclusive collection of dolls in collaboration with Bottega Venetta.  In addition to the dolls, you can buy a little tote to carry the dolls that turns into a little bed for the doll.  Jess Brown dolls retail for $180 and you can buy them on the Jess Brown web shop.

If you like Jess Brown’s overall design aesthetic, then you’ll probably like her lifestyle and women’s collection.  She recently added a line of Alpaca blankets to her collection that are as warm as they are beautiful.  Learn more on JessBrownDesign.com.

One of my favorite new brands that I discovered in New York is Noé & Zoë.  The bright neon colors, the fun prints and whimsical styles were a pure joy to see – it actually made me feel happier and smile to look at the collection.  These are fun clothes and accessories for kids and is cuteness overload in a good, good way.

Noé & Zoë is a relatively new brand in its second season and I’m so excited to see what will come of this brand.  The collection features unisex clothing for babies, accessories and nursery decor.  For Fall 2012 Noé & Zoë has collaborated with Tannhauser to create a capsule collection of cashmere pieces featuring the Noé & Zoë signature neon stripes – so adorable!

You can purchase Noé & Zoë in the U.S. on Thumbeline.com.

If I had to choose my favorite, most memorable name for a childrenswear company it would be Babylady, Inc.  Born from an inside joke, founder Kat West would joke with friends about the little girls she saw around that were little ladies – baby ladies.  The name is so catchy and immediately brings to mind the right image – but thankfully, the clothing lives up to the name.

Having a rich family history and close connection with the NYC garment district, Kat started making clothes for her little girl when she didn’t like the offerings in stores.  When people started asking her where she got her daughter’s clothes, she knew it was time to start a line for girls.

All of the clothing is made in the NY garment district and the collection includes everything from tees, dresses and outerwear including the cape pictured above which I adore.  Many of the fabrics are men’s shirting fabrics or come from Japanese mills – I love that little touch of menswear.  I love it for myself so why not for baby?  Babylady, Inc. also has the cutest Peter Pan collar necklaces that you could add to any outfit.  Retail prices range from $38 to $124 which is really not bad considering its all made in NYC.

If you know me you know I’m a huge fan of nameplate necklaces – blame it on me growing up in the 80s. I got my first nameplate necklace for my 16th birthday and I’ve had nameplates that say my company name (Mama), favorite phrases (Mi Vida Loca) and even my daughter’s name (one of the best gifts ever!). So it was only natural that when I was walking the Playtime show one of the booths that caught my eye was Gumdrop.

Gumdrop has been around for only one year and has already sold to the likes of Fred Segal in Los Angeles.  The adorable line of necklaces is perfect for girls ages two to fourteen. All of the necklaces are made using sterling silver, stainless steel and 14k gold dipped.  There are phrases to match the personality of many little girls from “cute” and “peanut” for the little ones to “rockstar” and “girlsrule” for the tween set. I especially love the Flip Flop necklaces – essentially two nameplates in one the wearer decides what she wants it to say that day – for example either “i love you” or “go away.”

Gumdrop necklaces also make the perfect gifts.  For birthdays, you can give a number for the age they just turned or an initial necklace.  For weddings, you can give the little ladies in your wedding party the “flowergirl” necklace.  And for those that just can’t settle on one phrase there’s the Daisychain that has up to five phrases on one chain.

Retail prices range from $30 to $80 and you can purchase online on GumDropLovesYou.com.

I love the adidas Y-3 by Yohji Yamamoto line for adults so I knew that I would love the collection for kids.  I saw a sneak peek of some pieces on the Petite Parade runway but saw the items up close and personal at Playtime New York.  The collection offers more boys pieces than girls but I thought all of the boys pieces were pretty unisex and could work on girls (or me!).  For me the accessories stole the show – I’m a sucker for anything leopard and teeny tiny sneakers.  Check out my favorite pieces pictured below…

Playtime New York

Yesterday, I went to Playtime NY and ENK Children’s Club, two children’s wear trade shows in New York City.  It was my first time attending the shows and I didn’t know what to expect but I was really happy with some adorable brands that I discovered.  I’m used to attending the men’s and women’s fashion trade shows so I can’t help but compare the shows.  The kid’s clothing shows were much smaller in scale.  I had allotted myself one day per show but I was able to walk both shows in one day.

The more I see of the children’s wear markets, the more I’m starting to see “camps.”  There’s the super-frilly, cutesy, glittery clothing, the semi-homemade looking clothing that is made from felt and is in 0nly earthy colors, the basic “baby” clothing, and the “we try to make little girls look like strippers” clothing.  Obviously these aren’t the only types of brands but the vast majority of them fall into one of these categories.  I spent my day trying to find brands that defied categorization.  I tried to find brands that were cute without being overly saccharine, offered a new outlook and was based off of adult clothing without forgetting childhood sensibilities.  In trying to find that balance of je ne sais quoi I came across some really great brands. I’ll be writing up each brand individually but in the mean time, here’s a sneak peek of what’s to come…