Denver Happenings

Wow - it's springtime in Denver and there is so much happening it's tough to keep up!  (Ok, I know it's summer everywhere else - but in the mountains, we're still enjoying spring) 

Fashion Group International (FGI) is seeking it's next Rising Star.  The Rising Star award is open to 9 design categories this year and Fashion Group will select the next new designer/company most likely to be a nationally recognized brand in the next 5 years.  I was the Rising Star for FGI in 2009 and I am excited to be the selection committee chairperson for this year's Rising Star which will be announced in a gala event in October.  For more information, visit http://www.risingstardenver.org/

Things have been moving along quickly at the Denver Design Incubator (DDI).  The first Diamond Series workshop just concluded and we have another at the end of the month.  We had a great write up from the Denver Post. 

"In all the other cities — New York, Chicago, Dallas, L.A. — you get out of design school and work for someone in the industry to learn how to make a living in design," says Holli Gibson, founder of the LamanBlu children's clothing and a member of the Denver Design Incubator's board of directors.

"In the past, we've lost talented Denver designers who move out of Denver, or try to start a business here with varying degrees of success. Here, people miss that work experience, so the Incubator provides a place for people here to learn those things."

To read the full article, visit http://www.denverpost.com/lifestyles/ci_18218194

I am very honored to have been named as the Executive Director for DDI and we are conducting interviews now for our Designer-In-Residence program which begins July 11th.  We have a wonderful location right downtown in The Pavilions, graciously donated by The Pavilions and the I Heart Denver Store.  Additionally, we are fully outfitted with state-of-the-art industrial sewing, cutting and pressing equipment from Ralph's Industrial Sewing.  You can visit us online at http://www.denverdesignincubator.com/

At LamanBlu, we're usually early into the marketplace with our Spring collection.  Most companies start showing their Spring collection in August and we usually show in June to give people insight into the trends that they should be on the lookout for. Well, with all of these other goings-on we are showing our Spring/Summer collection in August this year.  Don't worry - we will go ahead and release our trend reports in the next few weeks so that you can stay ahead of the curve, but we are dedicated to designing and producing a truly excellent line so we want to take the extra time this season to make sure it's perfect.

I guess I'd better get back to work...be on the lookout for trend reports coming soon!
Salu,
Holli

Retailer Spotlight: Ju Ju Beane Boutique

We wanted to take the opportunity to spotlight one of our favorite retailers!  Ju Ju Beane Boutique is a wonderful on-line retailer with a lot to offer.

They feature playful designs and casual styles for babies and children from today's most popular labels.  You'll also find unique design choices for bedrooms, nurseries, playrooms, or anywhere you want color and fun to meet modern and contemporary.  They deliver great customer service and a safe, enjoyable environment to shop for the little ones in your life.

"Ju Ju Beane Boutique is a hip, fun and modern baby and children’s boutique specializing in accessories for babies, toddlers, children, along with some accessories for moms and dads as well. They carry all the most popular brand names, and are constantly adding new products to their already great line to ensure their customers that they are getting is in fashion and popular right now. [The] website is easy to navigate, each category such as baby gear, clothing, gifts, organics, toys and games have sub categories which makes finding what you are looking for easy to find."  - Wee View

So - check them out at http://www.jujubeaneboutique.com/ and you can order LamanBlu directly from them online as well as whatever accessories you might need for your child.

Happy Shopping!

Baby & Children's Product News Features LamanBlu

We are very excited to have been featured in Baby & Children's Product News with our Fall/Holiday 2011 Collection!

LamanBlu Launches Fall/holiday Collection

Fashion designer Holli Gibson recently launched the LamanBlu fall/ holiday collection, inspired by cozy log cabins and forests of aspen. The new collection is tinged in medieval lore with lush materials and deep saturated colors.

Luxurious sustainable fabrics range from beautifully draping bamboo to organic cottons and faux furs, all trimmed in cotton lace and soft velvet ribbons, and the occasional freshwater pearl beading.

To read the full article:  http://fshn.us/hm

LamanBlu Releases its Fall and Holiday 2011 Collection

Fashion Designer Holli Gibson presents her latest collection for Fall and Holiday 2011 with a tribute to Falling Whistles.

Golden, Colorado – March 21, 2011 – Gibson’s new collection is inspired by cozy log cabins and forests of aspen. The forests quickly become enchanted for children, tinged in medieval lore with lush materials and deep saturated colors. Wrap them in the luxury of sustainable fabrics – from beautifully draping bamboo to organic cottons to delightful faux furs – all trimmed in cotton lace and soft velvet ribbons, and even some freshwater pearl beading.

Fall is a time to play, to escape, to explore, to shine. Little girls will be doing that beautifully in LamanBlu for next fall. "Winter is an etching, spring a watercolor, summer an oil painting and autumn a mosaic of them all."
- Stanley Horowitz

Gibson is the most recent recipient of Fashion Group International’s Rising Star Award for Design, first capturing the award for the children’s wear category and then walking away with the ultimate prize, The Rising Star, competing with other designers from all categories of fashion. The Rising Star is awarded to the brand most likely to be a nationally recognized name in the next five years.

LamanBlu debuted to rave reviews in 2009 and has consistently been included as a brand to watch in industry publications. Gibson has been interviewed and published in various consumer magazines in regards to fashion trends and children’s apparel. Gibson is an industry veteran with much of her career spent designing women’s apparel. It wasn’t until 2007 that she turned her attention to designing for children, and the results have been magical.

LamanBlu’s color palette for the season encompasses the bright and yummy colors of boysenberry, blackberry, marshmallow, granny smith apple, chili pepper red and chocolate – accented with porcelain, mallard and chateau rose. All of which present a warm yet colorful appeal for the back to school and holiday season. Solids in varying color tonal combinations and contrasts rule the season, but there are snow leopard prints and digital antique lace prints as well. Wholesale prices for the season range from $17 to $63.

LamanBlu has dedicated this season in support of the charity Falling Whistles, a campaign for peace in Congo. “I met Sean at a fashion business symposium we were both speaking at,” says Gibson. “His story brought tears to my eyes, tears for these dear children that so touched Sean’s heart that he started this charity.” To learn more about Falling Whistles, and their mission, please visit www.fallingwhistles.com

For wholesale ordering information, please contact LamanBlu at customerservice@lamanblu.com or 720-837-1452.
http://www.lamanblu.com/
Lookbook: http://lamanblu.blogspot.com/2011/03/lamanblus-fall-holiday-2011-lookbook.html 
Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zZ5mS6dyd4s

LamanBlu™ is designer clothing with classically beautiful silhouettes and a modern edge. It’s dresses and coordinated separates for Girls sizes 6 mos–6x. LamanBlu offers domestically produced eco-friendly apparel with no minimums to buy.

To find out more about more about LamanBlu or to schedule an appointment to see the collection, please contact us at:
http://www.lamanblu.com/
info@LamanBlu.com
Atelier: 720-837-1452
Fax: 801-659-8599
http://twitter.com/LamanBlu
http://lamanblu.blogspot.com/

LamanBlu's Fall Holiday 2011 Lookbook - with a Tribute to Falling Whistles

Pantone reveals Autumn 2011 colour chart

The worldwide specialist in colour charts for professionals has just published its Fashion Colour Report for Autumn/Winter 2011.

Pantone's Fashion Colour Report for Autumn/Winter 2011

You can see this same color palette in the LamanBlu Fall/Holiday 2011 Collection (tweaked to be more child-friendly of course).  But you can see the same Blackberry, Mallard, Chocolate, Granny Apple and  Chateau Rose.  We've added Porcelain, Marshmellow and Boysenberry to lighten the pallette to delight children.  Our Pewter gray is also tweaked especially for a child's complexion, tinged with lilac to brighten their smile.  And of course, for all those Christmas occasions, we've added a Chili Pepper red.

Whistle Blowing for Peace Art and Music Festival

LamanBlu supports Falling Whistles and wants to invite all of you to this amazing event, presented by DVLP!

Falling Whistles Music Festival

Summit Music Hall
1902 Blake Street, Denver, CO 80202

Doors Open at 8:30pm
MC: Mikey Goldenberg

LINEUP:
9:00-9:30 PLACES
9:30-9:45 Fashion Show
9:45-10:30 The Royal Heist
HEADLINER- 11-midnight Take to the Oars

Tickets: $15; Purchase Below
(Tax Deductible...Falling Whistles Tax Id # 26-3069105.)
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Whistle Blowing For Peace

A traveler with a need for Adventure turned into a story of hope for child soldiers in the Congo. Sent to the front lines armed with only a whistle, their only choice was to feign death or face it. People asked, "What can we do?" so the traveler met with politicians, officials, journalists, diplomats, fathers, mothers, and children all living within our worlds deadliest war.

A whistle hanging just over the heart kept the story of falling whistles alive and caused conversation... Keep the conversation going and support the cause. Learn more about Falling Whistles by watching the video.