the new look

We have finalized our new Bubble ad campaign for the Spring Summer shows. Courtesy of kids & fashion photographer Steven Visneau, we will be using this beautiful, slightly retro image for next season. Enjoy it, in avant-premiere on this blog. Thank you Steven! www.swvphoto.com

The Year of the Ox

Hong-Kong based collective of designers from kids brand Faubourg Saint Denis has come up with a smart way to welcome the Ox... A collector's item for anyone born in the Chinese New Year! Their new website just launched, check it out in anticipation of Bubble New York where they will be presenting their FW2009 collection - March 8th, 9th & 10th 2009.

Don't miss Bubble London!

Bubble London will open its doors tomorrow, Sunday January 18th.
Don't miss this 3rd edition featuring 130 exhibitors, a great mix of products and events.
Among the new exhibitors are Petit Bateau, Oilily, Mexx, French Connection, Pepe Jeans London, Jottum, Cowshed, Brin d'herbe, Eva&Oli, The Two Percenters, Bobux and many more.

Brazilian Girls

It's hard to find Fabric Dolls with a unique touch,nicely done and with a soul. With Floret, a collection born a year ago, Brazilian-born designer Simone Kaplan hits the spot. Don't forget to check the lovely dresses and accessories. Floret will be presented at Bubble New York, March 8-10th. See you there!

Happy Holidays from the Bubble team x

We use this Oh-So-Festive image from London-based photographer Julia Bostock to send you our warmest wishes for the holiday season. Julia has a special eye for children photography and her work has been featured in Milk Magazine, Vogue Bambini and Junior Magazine among others. Chek out her work on www.juliabostock.com and HAPPY HOLIDAYS, WE'LL BE BACK in 2009! The Bubble team, Florence and Vanessa.

No lead in kids clothing

Here is a worthy concern that we have heard at Bubble. Chapter One Organics has brought up to our attention the unfair regulation currently under discussion for testing lead in kids textiles in the USA. It seems to be a non-issue and putting an unjustified burden on the manufacturers, hence the petition circulating in the industry. Click here to find out more: www.ipetitions.com & www.fashion-incubator.com

Think Design

If you share the idea that Design can deepen the relationship people have with the everyday objects in their lives, Areaware is for you and their new revamped website will take you straight to heaven. This young New York based company selects unique design products with an emphasis on forward thinking technologies and original expression. Check Areaware Jr for products for your kids and for the kid in all of us.
Areaware will exhibit at Bubble New York in March 2009 for the 6th time!

Mix&Match at the beach

We love these bathing suits that look like sweet little candies: Lilibon. This new line designed by ex-Calypso buyer Emilie Bon, is made of mix and match bikinis and has launched online this week. Already sold in the hippest resorts in St Barth and the Bahamas. Because summer is just around the corner somewhere in the world.

Rock'n'Roll Heaven in Paris

The first "Finger in the Nose" Store just opened in the heart of Le Marais, Paris (17 rue de Saintonge, 75003 Paris). Finally! Hip Hip Hip Hurray to one of the coolest brand on Planet Kids!

Little Red Stuga's heights

Brand new at Little Red Stuga, the Swedish design studio: the Kebnekaise knitted pouf.
Kebnekaise, situated in the north of Sweden, is the highest mountain of the country with 2104 m. Now every child can climb it in the livingroom!
Size: Ø 60 cm, weight: 1,7 kg, colors: darkblue and offwhite Upholstered in cotton and filled with polystyrene balls.
Outside fabric is detachable and washable in machine, 40 degrees.Price: 170 USD incl shipping.

Sandk, from agency to boutique!

Stine and Louise from Sandk Agency opened a cute little shop in south London: Sparkle & Spin . Following in the Danish specialty of the agency, the store carries the best bits from old-time favorites Katvig, Hollys, Petit by Sofie Schnoor and also less know brands such as Celavi, Hollys, plus the introduction of Aya Naya and a few toy brands like Brio. They're inviting everyone to join their facebook fan group . That's very tech savvy for kids retail...Go, Sparkle&Spin! 14 Melbourne Grove, East Dulwich, London SE22 8QZ

The must-have book on kids design

Thames and Hudson has recently published the perfect reference book: Designed for Kids . Featuring over 700 smart and stylish products from the kids world, many a Bubble exhibitor, this is a very well researched review by author Phyllis Richardson, a testimony to the fact that the children's industry is truly undergoing a design revolution. Available on www.amazon.com

Top 3 online magazines

There's no shortage of online information these days, so here's our top 3 web sources in the kids world. They stand out for quality, focus & design.
In the UK, we're fan of LittleBigMagazine edited by Jenny Dalton, a mom and free lance writer with a great eye on design (no wonder she's also a contributor to major newspapers). In Australia, LMNOP is already out with its 4th issue and a devoted group of hip parents looking for fashionable ideas. And in the USA, our old-time favorite is Bubble exhibitor's Christine Visneau online magazine Small . Literally like a real printed magazine but online, it's beautiful to navigate, and very inspirational. Just like her line Baby Bean Vintage Daywear.

mommy and me revisited

Bubble blog is food for thought too, and we think this photo shoot is just breathtaking. Worth sharing it for no obvious reasons... other than the fact that everyone in the kids clothing market has been trying its luck at the mommy and me concept these past few years. It was published in the October 2008 issue of French fashion magazine Numero, number 97. Photographers: Sofia Sanchez and Mauro Mongiello, stylist: Samuel Francois.

Bugaboo strikes again

Marc Jacobs and Bugaboo are collaborating on a very limited edition of the Cameleon model: only 15 available worldwide, to be launched at Thanksgiving. Uber cool Paris store Colette will carry 4 of them. The chassis is all black with a "love Marc" print all over...for the true fashionista only!

Row row row your boat...

Petit Bateau, the cult brand offering the finest quality childrenswear since 1893, recently celebrated its new home concept at the NYC Madison flagship store.

The new boutique, friendly and warm, resembles a house divided into room-like environments. The different spaces, which include a kitchen, a baby's bathtub, a boy's locker, and a girl's dressing room, are intended to appeal to all members of a family.

Time to shop for stripped comfy onesies, tank tops and more!

Bourgeois Bohemian in London

Finally a shop focused on children's beautiful interiors, it was missing in London! bobo kids has just opened in the very chic neighborhood of Chelsea. The owners thrive to find jewel brands hard to get otherwise, such as Cyrus for their custom-made beds (check out the silver one in store right now!), Theophile et Patachou, Zid Zid Kids (a Bubble favourite) and many more exciting names. There's also some outerwear, some tee shirts from Wowo, a fantastic shoe selection from Pepe, and beddings from Petit Pan. Everything is carefully selected, just the way we like it. The cherry on the cake: bobo kids provides a service of interior design for children's bedrooms. 29 Elystan Street, London

NY SHOP website is live!

New York Shop is the new shopping event for the whole family, organized by New York Magazine and edited by Bubble New York organizers.

December 6th 2008 at the Altman Building in New York. The website is now live....Check it out! www.nymag.com/shop

Be one of 40 exhibitors offering great deals on fashion, kid's gear, home decor, beauty, accessories and more-plus games, crafts and activities for children of all ages.

For more info : nyshop@bubbletradeshows.com

Hot Off the Press

Bubble London is changing hands! ITE Moda, publisher of the very good kids trade magazine CWB and organizer of fashion trade shows in England, is now in charge of Bubble London. Florence& Vanessa are proud to pass on their baby to such an established show organizer. Kidding Consulting will stay involved for a smooth transition, and will continue to own + operate Bubble New York. The dates for both shows in 2009 are now confirmed:
Bubble London January 18th & 19th 2009, contact: lindsay@ras-publishing.com & Bubble New York March 8th, 9th & 10th 2009, contact: info@bubblenewyork.com
www.bubbletradeshows.com

Kidshop, now part of New York Shop!

Kidshop is the exciting consumer event that Kidding Consulting (aka Bubble!) is launching with New York Magazine. Some good news of late as it is now joining forces with Best Bets to make it THE shopping event for the New York families, right before the holidays. 35+ vendors already signed up, kids activities from the Scholastic Store and Appleseeds, great media coverage with partner Urban Baby (and NY Magazine of course!)...and a wonderful charity to support, Room to Grow. Not to be missed: Dec. 6th, 2008 11am - 7pm at the Altman Building, 135 West 18th Street. There is still time & space for exhibitors to register on: kidshop@bubbletradeshows.com