Happy Holiday Season

We are off... Merry Christmas! Enjoy the Holiday Season. We will be back in January.

Aussie story

Australian brand Three little trees had a lot of success at the last edition of Bubble London. They are back on 31 January & 1 February with their boys and girls collection. The line is available at Butterfly Kisses in Glasgow, Calini in Northern Ireland, Little Sunflowers in East Sussex, Mambolona in Madrid and many more. For wholesale inquiries, contact Domino Baby.

B-LAV launching at White Kids

After Lapo and his gorgeous menswear line Italia Independent, it's the turn of another member of the Fiat clan to make an entry in the fashion world. Lavinia Borromeo, the elegant wife of John Elkann, launched this year her children's line B-LAV. The second collection will be showcased at White Kids, the first show dedicated to kids’s fashion in Milan, on January 24-26.

Support Kids Company Christmas!

Each year, London based charity Kids Company who supports vulnerable children and young people, produces Christmas cards with all profits going to fund their Christmas Day celebration.
If you still haven’t sent your cards already, do your bit for charity and head to their online shop www.kidsco.org.uk.

There will not be a March 2010 edition of Bubble New York. A number of circumstances were jeopardizing the success of the March 2010 show and founders Florence Rolando and Vanessa Boz did not want to do things half way. As of today, all exhibitors have been fully reimbursed.
The first Bubble trade show took place in March 2006 with about 50 exhibitors, half of them coming from overseas. The show then grew up to nearly 150 exhibitors, keeping a good mix of international and national brands as well as a full range of products from clothing to accessories, home decor, toys, jewelry, beauty care, etc.
More information about an August show will be posted on www.bubbletradeshows.com later. Meanwhile things continue to rock for Bubble London which will be held on January 31& February 1 at the Business Design Centre in Islington.

Sparkle this holiday..and then Spin!

Who doesn't need a little sparkle these days...Sparkle&Spin has just the perfect holiday top for any little girl in the mood for a sweet spin. From Danish designer Holly's, a regular at Bubble London, here comes the perfect sequin top for the season.

American children's designer brands were hardly seen in Europe in the days of a strong dollar. They are finally getting more attention and it is well deserved. Orfeo, a London based online store launched in 2007, is a great window for beautiful US brands such as Wovenplay, mor mor rita, Atsuyo et Akiko, Marilyn Tov, Oeuf, Shirin Kids, Tamar Mogendorf, etc. The web boutique carries high end clothes and gifts for children 0-6, mainly from up-and-coming independent designers with an understated, contemporary, poetic, natural, imaginative style. Photo 1.Wovenplay, 2.Apolline.

Dino e Lucia at the White House

How often do we get to see an independent clothing brand dressing up the presidential children at the White House for a Vanity Fair shoot by Annie Leibovitz?! Kuddos to Sasha and Malia Obama for their audacious choices! Dino e Lucia brands itself as the "naughty designer for well-behaved children". This must have seduced Michelle O. With a store in St Germain des Pres and in St Tropez, an exclusive concession at Harvey Nichols in London, and a steady and carefully controlled growth in wholesale, Dino e Lucia is surely a brand to keep an eye on.

A worthy cause

Beautiful brand of the moment Let Them Eat Cake is collaborating with the Environmental Justice Foundation to create a tee shirt whose proceeds will go directly to the charity and its cotton campaign. EJF is well known at Bubble as we initiated a collaboration, at the launch of the show in London, between them and Caramel Baby & Child. A beautiful tee shirt came out of the collaboration. We have no doubt that the same will be true again this time with Let Them Eat Cake. Felicity has chosen three exciting artists for the project. The tee shirts will be on sale as of January, just on time for the good resolutions, buy ethic, buy for the good cause. We can't wait to see them.

Eco-friendly Christmas tree

A couple of years ago, Kids On Roof met a great success with their blue doll houses. The company has since developed an outstanding range of eco friendly items, including the totem collection of imaginative 3D products to build before using as a house decoration. The Xmas tree is made of 150 recycled and biodegradable cardboard pieces printed with an angel, deer, peace doves, candles, ornaments and a big gleaming star. Available at Brooklyn store Sweet William

Eco-friendly Xmas tree

A couple of years ago, Kids On Roof met a great success with their blue doll houses. The company has since developed an outstanding range of eco friendly items, including the totem collection of imaginative 3D products to build before using as a house decoration. The Xmas tree is made of 150 recycled and biodegradable cardboard pieces printed with an angel, deer, peace doves, candles, ornaments and a big gleaming star. Available at Brooklyn store Sweet William

African story

The Butter Man just won the 2009 Children's Africana Book Award. We are particularly happy to relay this news as the illustrator is Julie Klear Essakalli from Zid zid Kids, a founding exhibitor at Bubble Trade Shows. Julie lives and works in Marrakech where she designs and creates textile art and furnishings with her husband Moulay. Julie was recently asked by the Smithsonian National Museum of African Art to donate an illustration from the book for their collection.The Butter Man, by Elizabeth and Ali Alalouis available on Amazon.com.

Northern e-store

Finns Finds is a 6 months old online boutique focusing on simple designs, unique details, quality fabrics and construction. Finns Finds features designers from around the world (Denmark, Holland, Australia, France) and also brings a fair amount of eco-friendly brands into the mix. We love the selection of unusual toys. Photos 1.Milibe Copenhagen 2.Talc Paris 3.Vilac, France

Straight from Tibet

Catherine Anderson launched the label Kokonor in 2005 when she and her Tibetan husband started a workshop, employing and training talented Tibetan tailors living as refugees in the inspiring surrounds of the Indian Himalaya. A whole range of lifestyle items are hand-crafted under the label Kokonor including childrenswear, but the Tibetan workshop also acts as an ethical production unit for independent labels attracted by a shared loyalty to fair-trade principles, unstinting commitment to quality, and low minimum orders. For more information, contact Catherine at mail@kokonor.co.uk, tel +44(0)1361 883042.

Flashy + stripy

Founded in 2003 by Mille Milt and Maria Rabenhe, Danish children’s wear brand Milibe uses vibrant stripes, soft pointelle patterns and complimentary full color garments to deliver true Scandinavian wardrobe classics with simplicity and fantastic quality. Their initial collection was based on a single long sleeved t-shirt but the range now includes underwear, leggings, t- shirts, simple dresses and knitwear. Milibe only use eco-tex approved colors in their production (no harmful substances are used) as well as premium quality cotton and all garments are manufactured in Europe. Milibe will be showing at Bubble London this January.

Christmas shopping

It's a real pleasure to go from magazines to websites and to see so many creative and rich Christmas shopping guides. The one on Australian magazine LMNOP specifically caught our eye with its crisp layout and awesome selection of objects. Click on the link http://www.lmnop.com.au/signin/ to download the magazine pages. You'll have to sign up and it will take 2 minutes of your time but it's really worth it!

Atsuyo et Akiko just a click away!

Great news for fans of the famous Je t'aime bags and tees brand : Atsuyo et Akiko just launched their online shop a couple of days ago. Children's clothing, home decor, accessories, jewelry for all ages can now all be directly ordered online. The angel wings necklace and baby kimono onesi are among our favorites. A mix of Japan, poetry and dreamland. www.atsuyoetakiko.com/store/

Papier Mache online magazine

Papier Mache is not yet again another online magazine on children's. It is a beautiful newcomer from Australia (issue 2 just came out) very focused on visuals and inspiration, and easy to navigate. Produced twice a year, it balances with a lot of elegance news on products, mood boards, and fashion stories with an edge. More importantly, it reminds us that the children's market is what it is thanks to the children that surround us. They are the inspiration. Papier Mache is also a testimony to the fact that the children's market keeps on burgeoning with a subtle mix of retro and forward-looking brands.

Sneak Peek

Started in 1991, Christina Rohde was a pioneer in providing great style and quality clothes for children. Over the years, the Danish brand has stayed true to its roots with practical and fashionable designs mixing unusual patterns and fabrics. Here’s a sneak peek of what you can expect for Spring/Summer 2010. Christina Rohde will exclusively exhibit at Bubble London 31 January & 1 February 2010.

Life in color

Spring 2010 is a very rich season for Swedish brand Monamici, with colors such as red, pink, indigo, purple mixed with Liberty classics and Hawaiian pattern. The collection - all in certified organic - includes lovely dresses, tunics, skirts, pants and tops. The feeling is uplifting, fresh and beautiful. To buy Monamici products, visit the brand's own e-store. In the US, the line is carried by Field NY in Larchmont or at Petit bebe in Charlottesville.

Flying to London

You have probably seen the enchanting birds of Abigail Brown already. They often rest, anonymous, in the cages of Tamar Morgendorff. This month, they will take a stop at Liberty of London. A good occasion to admire the delightful robins, goldcrests, greenfinchs, swallows, blue tits and little owls and to buy one before they fly to warmer lands!

Online newcomer, with style

Umberleaf is a new e-store with a selection of stylish childrens clothing and accessories, as well as play items. We like the clean design and also the selection of products which includes one of our favorite lines, Atsuyo et Akiko. The store will keep adding great founds for modern and earth conscious parents. We recommend you add it to your favorites!

Gap + Stella : secound round

The yearly result for Gap was published last week: 25% profit jump. The brand announced today plans for a second collection created by Stella McCartney. It's no surprise to whom has tried to get some products from this first collaboration. On November 16th, I had put an alarm on my Blackberry to go get a wonderful tutu in subtle pink tones. I arrived at 10am to witness empty racks. There were one size 10y and one size 12y left, and the store had been opened for only two hours. I got it : next season, I'll get on line at dawn!

When technology brings fun in the closet

Stone Island, the casual yet beautiful men's line from Italy is launching Stone Island Junior, for boys 2 to 16. Keeping in line with the brand's ethos of reworking materials, functionality and contemporary designs, they're adding a fun touch thanks to technology and research. There's a heat reactive coating that changes color at high temperatures. From 27 degrees celsius upwards, the garments transform from shades of green to bright yellow or grass green. There's also a night vision element with light-sensitive prints. In the closet, we knew that girls just wanna fun...boys' turn now!

Made in USA

With the euro so strong and the dollar so weak, it's not an easy time for stores who carry mainly high end European brands. Estella's owners Chike Chukwulozi and Jean Polsky were looking for innovative ways to offer fashionable, practical kid's clothes to their customers at a reasonable price. They thought it was the right moment to develop their own line. Well, their gorgeous, functional and locally produced pieces are a success : they don't break the bank while offering the quality and style that Estella customers expect. The basic line of leggings and lap tees is amazingly popular with a range of 8 different colors, for children 3 months to 6 years. The fashion pieces (dresses, tops, denim pieces, overalls, etc) and knit toys bring a chic lifestyle complement to the range. Estella, 493 Sixth Avenue
New York. +1 212-255-3553

Ismodern

We are happy to announce that Ismodern will be back at Bubble in March 2010. The line was not shown at the last August edition as Tami Nguyen Rael had to move her family from LA to the East Cost. Her new collection feels like a good mix of eastern and western influences with clean shapes, tight fits and bright colors. Modern and nomad.

Around the world

French artist Julie Mercier has illustrated a bunch of children's books and magazines. She just created an exclusive and monumental atlas for L’Affiche Moderne, an ideal medium for kids to discover the richness and diversity of our great planet. The funny details and creatures will definitely be a source of numerous questions and discoveries, capturing children’s attention and imagination for hours. Available in English or French versions.

Boy's stuff!

Good news for parents who love coloring books with a twist : Rosie Flo's books are now available [almost] all over the world : Japan, Australia, China, etc. And wonderful news for parents who are desperately looking for boys activities : the books are also published in a blue version, under the name Johnny Joe, featuring all sorts of boy's favorites, from knights to astronauts to cars and dinosaurs. Famous London book store Daunts says "At last a colouring book for boys. Another sure fire winner". Rosie Flo's collections are available at children's/ toys stores, bookstores and at most of the Museum stores (Moma, Bristish Library, Tate Modern, The Wallace Collection, etc).

Tribeca welcomes Petite Pomme

Brooklyn beloved children's store Pomme recently opened a new retail space in Manhattan. Located in Tribeca, Petite Pomme is dedicated to newborn - 18th month children. Forget about the loft size and feel, it's all white and small scale in this new paradise, providing a cosy atmosphere for young parents and parents-to-be. Petite Pomme features the ideal selection of brands for an introduction to parenthood : Makie, flora and henri, Tane Organic, Jess brown, Tamar Morgendorf, Atsuyo et Akiko, etc. The best of modern design and quality to welcome little ones in this world. Petite Pomme, 186 Duane Street between Hudson and Greenich.

From Sweden with style

A hint of the 80´s, intricate buttons and details, pastel colors and a high fashion content : that's Franka's cocktail for Spring Summer 2010. The collection features thin silhouette trousers in khaki twill, chinos in papery twill, Liberty prints and lots of dresses. The Swedish brand now has an online store, to make sure moms from all over the world can have access to the collections in just one click.

Petit Couture is a luxury brand of infant and toddler basics, dressy apparel, accessories and select mama items founded in 2009 by Rebecca Kaykas-Wolff and Noree Milligan. Dedicated to sustainable and ethical business practices and as such, Petit Couture sources and manufactures exclusively in the USA. The manufacturing process is on a quarterly basis rather than the standard six-month product creation cycle for most items, a good way to keep Petit Couture client's attention with fresh fashion proposals. The brand will showcase its owl logo collection at Bubble New York in March 2010.

Windows overview

Christmas windows are flourishing here and there in London, simultaneously with the first cold days and the high street decoration lights. There's a great lot of maximalist-kitsch-overload and color explosion, as seen at Christian Louboutin, Conran Store, Selfridges and Marc Jacobs. Is Santa also going to be in excess mode packing his bags this year, that is the question...

mor mor rita is back on tracks

After a year long break to be with her family, Ryan Roche is back with a mor mor rita collection. The new line features well priced basics including leggings, simple but perfect underpants, tees, sweatshirts, stockings and jeans in beautiful organic cotton. The cashmere blend knits will make your heart melt. Don't miss the women's size stockings in mor mor rita's unique color palette.

On the subject of brand identity

Ola&Olek is a newly launched UK-based line from designer Eliza Lopatowska. She gets inspired from her native Poland and her little cousins to create a delicately touching line of organic tees and retro dresses & cardigans. Introduced at Bubble London last June, the collection is small but perfectly put together. The visuals are the strength of the identity of Ola & Olek. So much is communicated in those few images, immediately drawing us into the spirit of the brand. For the discerning buyer who likes something different with a strong point of view.

Milk Deco 3 launch party at YoyaMart, NY

Milk Deco, the bi-annual style supplement of Milk Magazine is out. This 3rd edition takes us to the usual places (New York, Paris, London, Tokyo) but also to Tanger, Stockholm and Utrecht for a greater diversity of home inspirations. YoyaMart's owner Stephane Gerbier (featured in the booklet) hosted a party at his Meatpacking district store last week. Stephane takes the pose with Isis Colombe Combeas, founder-owner of Milk, and her son Aliocha.

At home with Cocoon Couture

Launched in 2004 by Designer Ingrid Daniell, Cocoon Couture started as a collection of beautiful children’s bean bags. The brand has grown since, adding a range of wooden room accessories: height charts, bookends and wall arts. The vintage inspired Enchanted Tree is the perfect tool to hang one's little secrets. Cocoon Couture will exclusively exhibit at Bubble London 31 January & 1 February 2010 at the Business Design Centre.

The little stories of Karin

Featured in Junior Magazine, Vogue Bambini, Elle decor, Glamour, Karin Nussbaumer is an Austrian photographer based in Amsterdam. Karin loves telling little stories, using photography to play with fantasy, trying to tell as much as possible in each of her images. Playing widely with light, tones and props, Karin makes her stories a pleasant travel for the viewer. Karin is represented by Julie Seguinier at juliesagency.com.

One step ahead

Anorak Magazine is always a step ahead. This fantastic UK children magazine, labeled as the Happy Mag for Kids, now has its own iPhone & iPod Touch application. Happy words search games. Happy colouring-in pages. Happy cycling game. Available from early November on iTunes. iWant it now.

Imagine

The British designers MillerGoodman who brought us ShapeMaker have launched yet another beautiful children's toy called PlayShapes. It's a unique and fun modular set of geometric wooden shapes which can be endlessly arranged or stacked to produce hunders of 3D creations. Beautifully crafted from durable rubberwood, they engage every child's imagination. As Albert Einstein put it so well together: "Imagination is more important than knowledge. For knowledge is limited to all, we now know and understand, while imagination embraces the entire world, and all there ever will be to know and understand." It will launch soon on www.shhhop.com and is available for wholesale in select stores.

Little Bean Shop Launches

Christine Visneau, from Baby Bean Vintage Daywear and Small Magazine is striking again with a very attractive new online shop, following the opening of her store in East Dallas. Of course it carries her eponymous vintage line Baby Bean, but it also sells a nicely edited selection of Clover New York, Mini Rotation and more. All Bubble favorites.

Stella for Gap

So good to see that designer & the high street (aka main street) are collaborating in the kids world as well. Stella McCartney's line for Gap Kid and BabyGap will be unveiled this November 4th, available in the UK, France, Japan, the US and Canada. The line includes cashmere blankets for newborns, brushed cotton blazers with silk lapels, wool military jackets embroidered with gold thread. Prices go from $14 to $128 for jackets and they're going to fly from the shelves, or so we think. The ad campaign has been shot by Ryan McGinley, above is a preview of the sweet images.

0-77 Photo Exhibit at YoyaMart

YoyaMart is working on a serie of photo exhibits, the first one to be launched next week. The intention of YoyaMart is to create a design environment related to the children's world but compatible with adult's taste. The first two participating artists are Ron Agam and Marc Dumas. The exhibit will coincide with a party held at the store for the launch of Milk Deco 3, on October 29th. For more info tel +1 212 242 5511.

Ron Agam flower portraits "In Full Bloom" point to the grandeur of Nature as reflected in some of its most fragile creations. His images are relevant to this time of ecological crisis. Ron spent his childhood between Paris & Rehovot, Israel.


Marc Dumas divides his time between Paris and Savador de Bahia where he captures the energy of Brazilian kids. He is a Professor of visual communication at Ecole Camondo in Paris.

Innovative design for a crisis

Trio of Swedish architects Claesson/Koivisto/Rune is proving that innovation is the best weapon in times of crisis. With the help of STFI-Packfosk (research&development) and Södra (Production factory), they have created Papuru, a chair for children made of DuraPulp (derivative of paper) and PLA (bioplactic extracted form corn starch). It's all very technical and it has to be, to achieve that performance : the chair is waterproof, recyclable, stackable, colorful...and it should cost half of the price of a classic plastic chair. We can't wait to see it in stores (2010).

Straight from the 50's, with a twist

A newborn in the family of inspiring online stores, Edmond offers a selection of furniture and vintage objects from the 1950's. Their children's selection includes miniature chairs, bedside tables, lamps, French school desks in a large array of prices. The pieces are either left in their vintage state or restored and actualized. Next to the collector's items signed Thonet, Charles & Ray Eames, Marcel Gascoin, Jean Prouvé, Edmond has added its own line of limited editions, which uses raw materials such as wood and wool. We particularly like the raw-wood miniature stools.
Photos Annabel Salesa

Myths, legends and Mini A Ture

Founded in 2001, Mini A Ture has established itself as one of the leading Danish brands in Europe. For their Autumn/Winter 09 collection, designer Katrine Lemvigh Montag has found inspiration in the magical world of fairytales inhabited by ogres, enchanted animals and beautiful princesses. The result is a high quality and contemporary collection with signature colour combinations. We can’t wait to discover what's next with the brand at Bubble London January 2010!

where the wild things are

Where the wild things are is drawing inspiration on everyone at the moment...Kudos to LA-based Entertaining Elephants and its sweet interpretation of thermals and bunny hats.

The life of dolls

Argentinian artist Paola Zakimi spent her childhood and part of youth in cold Patagonia. Her independent nature led her to Buenos Aires where she studied Arts and Graphic design. She is now based in Villa Giardino (on the Argentinian seaside), where she is a full-time artist making art doll, painting, drawing, illustration.




Zakimi could have been created by Goldoni; she has taken after Gepetto. She says about her dolls "They all have names, feelings, emotions and life histories. Each one has its own character, point of view and statement. We never struggle or fight, we become friends, we trust each other. All of them like to read but sometimes I read to them. They always listen, Im not sure its because they enjoy it or they are just being polite."
The dolls are sold on Paola's website and on Etsy.

Molo world!

Available for boys and girls age 0 to 10, Molo Kids brings a serious touch of style to any child’s wardrobe. From knit cardigans to denim and colorful leggings, the looks are always fresh, funky and urban. Autumn/Winter 09 sees the launch of a footwear range with leather ballerina flats for girls and winter sneakers for boys. Molo Kids will exhibit at Bubble London, for the fourth season, to our delight.