Audrey Kingo • Sep 3, 2015

The Best New Brands for September 2015

Fresh takes on classic silhouettes for atypical tots.

: Danish outerwear brand CeLaVi docked in the U.S. at the August edition of ENK Children’s Club, with a sunny array of raingear, boots and snowsuits. For Spring ’16, the collection will include breathable polyurethane jackets with matching rubber rainboots in vibrant colors and prints. Look for heavier options in the winter, like new snowsuits with matching neoprene boots. The line also offers long wool underwear, rain sets (jacket plus overalls) and rain hats, all wholesaling for $12.50 to $45 for boys and girls ages newborn to 12 years. Visit celavi.dk/en/ to learn more.

: Looking for timeless designs in ultra-luxe materials, like cashmere, alpaca, merino wool, velvet and bamboo? Enter Casilda y Jimena, introduced stateside by Nubë 9, a specialized distribution company of high-end European labels. All of the brand’s apparel, including cardigans, one-pieces, rompers, dresses, shorts, skirts, blouses, shoes, hats and a complete layette line, is handknit in a soft, neutral palette. The current collection incorporates Liberty of London prints, but Spring ’16 will bring four new and exclusive fabrics made in Italy. Available for boys and girls ages newborn to 10 years, the collection wholesales for $35 to $105. Visit nube9kids.com to learn more.

: Can’t get enough of TV’s most famous family? Kardashian Kids is expanding beyond Babies “R” Us and Nordstrom by offering its collection wholesale to specialty boutiques beginning this holiday season. The line, designed by Kourtney, Khloé and Kim, launched in 2014 for girls only, but has grown to include styles for both genders as well as larger sizes, from newborn to size 7 in boys and 6X in girls. Spring ’16 serves up new fabrics like perforated leatherette, bonded lace, chambray and French terry on a wide range of silhouettes, including jumpsuits, blazers, outerwear, tees, leggings, layette and accessories. Wholesale prices range from $11.50 to $21.50. Visit jupicorp.com to learn more.

: Debuting for Spring ’16, Lil’ Trunks will outfit boys and girls, sizes 3 months to 6X, in an array of bright colors and playful prints. Silhouettes are simple—think rompers, A-line and shift dresses and tunics—and materials span wovens and knits. Founder and designer Sushmita Utpala grew up in India, but now calls California home and, fittingly, brings an east-meets-west aesthetic to her inaugural collection. For spring, bold colors like turquoise, coral and lime collide with hibiscus and dahlia prints for girls, while boys’ patterns include bumper cars and rickshaws. Unisex offerings feature the brand’s signature elephant print. Wholesale prices range from $17 to $26. Check out liltrunks.com.

: New Zealand-based protective swimwear brand Little Red Fish made its first splash in the U.S. at ENK Children’s Club in August, but the company has over a decade of experience shielding tots from the sun with its line of 50+ UV wear. Available for boys and girls from newborn to 14 years, the collection includes swimshirts, board shorts, bathers and bikinis in an array of classic stripes, with the occasional pop of color and print. Wholesaling for $7 to $17.70, the entire collection is made with the brand’s signature tightly-woven fabric, rather than chemicals, for ultimate sun protection. See more at littleredfish.com.

: Kate Bowen, founder and designer of Petit Peony, found herself craving farm country after a stint in the big city, so in the summer of 2014 she moved to Vermont. Just before the arrival of baby No. 3, she began sewing coordinated clothing for all of her daughters and a collection was born. The line debuted at ENK Children’s Club in January 2015, and Bowen notes it’s inspired by its New England locale—think traditional silhouettes, like dresses and leggings for girls ages six months to eight years. Prints are whimsical, including balloons and mermaids, all set against premium and organic cotton for easy wash-and-wear. Accessories include diaper covers and bow ties for boys. Made in the U.S.A., the brand wholesales for $10 to $38. Check out petitpeony.com to learn more.

: American-made favorite, City Threads, is expanding once again: Husband and wife team Shayna Samuels and Joe Willis are adding a full girls’ collection to their repertoire for Spring ’16. Offerings will include sportswear, pajamas, underwear and layering pieces for girls ages three months to 14 years, all featuring the brand’s signature comfortable, functional styling and made using domestically-grown 100 percent cotton. Available in a rainbow of bright colors—with a few sequined appliqué designs thrown in for good measure—each piece is designed to be mixed-and-matched. Known for its solid basics, the company will continue to offer wash-and-wear pieces for both boys and girls, with wholesale prices ranging from $8 to $20. Learn more at citythreads.com.

: Roxanne Bryan launched Bella Simone by assembling the label’s line of soft-soled baby shoes in her Brooklyn, NY, living room, with a production line composed of family and friends. The resulting capsule collection for boys ages newborn to 18 months launched in Fall ’14, and since then, the line has expanded to include girls’ shoes, also for newborns up to 18 months. The complete collection now offers a range of silhouettes and patterns, from high-top booties to ballet flats and even rhinestone-embellished Mary Janes. The brand made its trade show debut at the August edition of ENK Children’s Club, offering new boot and loafer styles in lighter-weight materials for Spring ’16. Wholesale prices range from $25 to $35. Visit bellasimonenyc.com to learn more.