Seen and Heard

Yaarn Handmade

Fueled by their love of children’s playthings and passion for ethical sourcing and sustainable fair trade, Anne Nuijens and her daughter Hannelore partnered with a manufacturer in India that employs women artisans to build their Belgiumbased company Yaarn Handmade.

The women of the Indian-based Godavari Co-Operative Society use the time-honored craft of crocheting to create precious, detail- oriented toys and accessories, with a special emphasis on playful fruit and vegetables. Yaarn Handmade’s items make great gifts and have the beautiful bonus of supporting some of the poorest populations in the world.

With lower consumer spending forecasted and a potential recession looming, companies need more resources to sell their excess inventory. “The silver lining is that these recessional cycles can present opportunities for children’s apparel and accessory companies to optimize their sales and maximize margins,” says Chris John, CEO and co-founder of Syndic8, a data management and syndication platorm. Syndic8’s Verification Service uses inventory feeds to confirm that products are listed accurately, summarizes product statuses, delivers weekly tracking reports, and allows sales teams to rapidly deploy new sales strategies, among many other features that boost efficiency and help move merchandise.

Designed by New York-based artist and print designer Lauren Bisaccio, who hails from Ralph Lauren, has created a six-piece capsule collection for Ann + Reeves Kids featuring toile fabric. The handmade design was crafted from watercolor techniques to create the perfect toile fabric; toile is a popular decorating element and now has made its way into the fashion world.

Lauren Bisaccio for Ann + Reeves

Left to right: Clifford Fischer,Board Chair, Tackle Tomorrow, Chairman and CEO, Fischer; Nicole Pullen Ross, Partner, NY Private Wealth Management Region Head, Head of Sports & Entertainment Solutions, Goldman Sachs; Charles Haley, President, Tackle Tomorrow; Todd Kahn,Chief Executive Officer & Brand President Coach; Steve Sadove, Retired Chairman & Chief Executive Officer, Saks Incorporated.

The Playtime and Kid’s Hub Marketplace now uses B2B platform Orderwizz, which has improved features and a new visual identity dedicated exclusively to the children’s market. This platform tool users access to a community of 200 curated brands and 6,300 qualified retailers. In addition to full CRM and international exposure, manufacturers can work with a specialist to build a virtual showroom and further assist with the entire process of establishing your brand in the market.

An Evening with Delivering Good

National nonprofit Delivering Good celebrated its annual fundraising last month, raising a record-breaking $2.1M from sponsors and attendees, including $203,000 from the auction and fund-a-need appeal. More than 500 guests gathered at the historical Cipriani 42nd Street in New York City, and the event highlighted leadership and excellence in fashion, finance and philanthropy with a program that focused on purpose, recognition and entertainment.

The 2022 Evening of Delivering Good opened with a roaring performance by The Brooklyn United Music and Arts Program, a youth marching band and dance line that was also the 2022 Grand Marshal at the 49th NYC Village Halloween Parade just days prior. Delivering Good Board Member and Creative Director of Halston, Ken Downing, served as the host and emcee of the evening. Several women who had been recipients of new clothing and essentials for themselves and their children spoke about how this seemingly simple gesture dramatically shifted their self-esteem—and eventually, their lives.

Following its balloon debut at last month’s Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, Bluey, the popular preschool character with an eponymous hit show on Disney, has a host of new merchandise. Distributor and licensor BBC Studios has added the following manufacturers to its roster: Bendon, Inc., Ground Up, Little Kids, Megatoys, Point Zero, PTI, Spirit Halloween, Springs Creative, Sun-Staches, Swimways, Tin Box Company, and Unique. The newest category-leading companies have started to roll out products across the U.S. and Canada and will continue into 2023.

Disney’s Bluey

Accessories brand BaubleBar launched its first-ever children’s jewelry and accessories collection that includes earrings, necklaces, hair accessories, blankets, and children’s placemats in fun styles such as florals, rainbows, hearts, and donuts. All earrings are clip ons while the assortment of necklaces come with magnetic closures. Each item in the Minibar collection comes in a box with iridescent sequins and range in price from $10 - $30 for jewelry and $78 for blankets. Co-Founder Amy Jain, a mother of two daughters, had always had the vision of bringing this offering to market and is thrilled that her dream has come to fruition.