Spring 2013 Trend Report from the Runways

Happy Valentine's Day!  And it also means that it's official - spring has sprung (though, I have to admit, it's snowing in our mountain design studio today - but that's what spring means in the mountains - snow!)  But I digress - we wanted to share with you the trends which are proving out to be important for the spring season, so you can make sure you have what you need in your closet to present yourselves most fashionably!

A huge trend on the runway was the new comfort factor - waistline skimming shifts, A-line dresses, flared skirts.  Comfort, of course is always a criteria for children's clothes - not just clothes that don't pinch but clothes that move with the child and allow them to play freely.

The pairing of opposites has been around for a while - and continues - sheer/opaque being a strong story.

The color story was dramatic - from brights to whispery pastels.  Pure, unadulterated white opened many shows.

Best Bets:  Shift style dresses, full skirts, shorts, pajama styled looser pants and capris, color, prints, white.

Happy Shopping!

Earnshaw's February Issue Features LamanBlu

Check out our feature story in this month's Earnshaws Magazine!  

It's all about our new project with Hang Ten.

Happenings

We have a lot going on around here and it's only February!  Our LamanBlu Spring 2013 Collection has just shipped and will be in retail stores near you any day now (let us know if you need to find your nearest location).

Our Autumn/Winter 2013 Collection is showing at markets to wholesale buyers now, and the feedback has been great - sales will continue through April and styles will arrive in stores in time for Back-to-School.

We're now hard at work on a couple of fronts!  

Spent some time at the SIA show last week - we sure had lots of fun and found some great new tech fabrics to add to our offering (maybe some raincoats?)

Jess Saidian, our Associate Designer is taking charge with the LamanBlu Collection for Spring 2014 and is working away - check out our facebook page to keep up with her progress.  http://www.facebook.com/LamanBlu

We're also hard at work on our newest collection for Spring 2014 - Hang Ten Gold for girls.  This will expand our size offering (we'll offer sizes from NewBorn to Size 16) and we will have some more casual sportswear including swimsuits, coverups and graphic T's.  Check out our Mood Board:

Is that enough to get you excited on a Tuesday?

Happy Day!

LamanBlu Releases Autumn / Winter 2013 Collection | PRLog

LamanBlu Releases Autumn / Winter 2013 Collection | PRLog

LamanBlu Releases Autumn / Winter 2013 Collection

Fashion Designer Holli Gibson presents her latest LamanBlu children’s collection for Autumn / Winter 2013.

Golden, Colorado – January 25, 2013 – Holli Gibson’s new collection is a nod to the past and simpler times.  Inspirations from historical collections during the Baroque and Renaissance periods come alive in a very wearable collection for children.  Fabric is exceedingly important this season, from the crisp hand of Tencel Denim to Hemp and Organic Cotton juxtaposed against exceedingly soft Modal knits and Italian cotton.  Trimmings include embroidered ribbons, velvet and Venise laces.

The color palette for the season is as rich as its inspiration, from multiple hues of blue, some with iridescent sheen, to the most intense fuschia, called Beauty, to a deep, rich purple.  Prints are inspired by stained glass church windows and come on organic cotton and recycled polyester blends as well as lace.

Styles take children from every day with Swing T’s, Leggings, Jumpers and Twirly Skirts to special nights out in Lace Dresses and Bustle Jackets.  Brother’s styling is smart and whimsical with “Prince Charming” crest embroideries and even a reversible iridescent blue/black button down shirt and trouser.  Sizes for girls and boys run 6 months to age 8.  Wholesale prices for the season range from $20-49.

 To make an appointment to see the collection, contact LamanBlu at customerservice@lamanblu.com or 720-837-1452.

Lookbook: http://issuu.com/holli.gibson/docs/lamanblu_autumn-winter_2013_lookbook

LamanBlu’s mission is to Celebrate Childhood.  They do this by seeing the beauty in everyday things.  It is inspired by a child’s sense of wonder and their enjoyment of discovery.  The collection offers beautiful yet comfortable eco-friendly clothing using the highest quality designer fabrics and exquisite detailing.  It is a trend forward collection which is extensively tested for ease of care, durability, movement and comfort.  The colors and prints in the collection are custom designed and exclusive to LamanBlu™.  They believe in using eco-friendly fabrics, which are gentle to the environment and to a child’s delicate skin – fabrics including bamboo, organic cottons, recycled polyesters and washable linens.

“We know children insist on being comfortable and have ease of movement no matter what they’re wearing, and all of our styles go through extensive wear testing by real kids.  Whether they’re twirling around the room or hanging on the monkey bars, their clothing has to move with them, and even delicate looking clothing has to be durable enough to stand up to a child’s day,” says Holli Gibson, the designer for LamanBlu™.

LamanBlu™ is also an advocate for mom’s busy lives; everything in their collection is machine washable, ironing optional.  Most of their garments have adjustment points at critical areas, so that the child can wear their clothing for longer, even after a growth spurt.  Another way LamanBlu™ carries out its mission to Celebrate Childhood is through supporting charities protecting children and protecting the environment for their future. They are actively involved in several charities both through direct volunteerism and financial support, including JDRF, Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption and Falling Whistles.  You can read more about their chosen charities on their website, www.LamanBlu.com

Holli Gibson, the designer for LamanBlu™, is an industry veteran who spent much of her career designing clothing for women out of New York and Dallas for high end retailers including Neiman Marcus and Nordstorm.  She is also the recipient of The Rising Star Award for Design from Fashion Group International and of the 2011 303 Magazine Award for the Most Influential fashion folk in Denver.

LamanBlu is pure American luxury.  It is exquisitely beautiful apparel that is made to live in…to dance in…to play in…that children and parents adore. 

 

LamanBlu makes eco-friendly contemporary apparel for every little princess and prince charming – to take them through their entire day – from holding court in the morning to fighting dragons in the afternoon.

 

The company designs and manufactures their product entirely in the USA, much of it in Colorado.  The collection debuted in 2009 to rave reviews and derives its constant inspiration from “laman blou” which means “blue sea” in Papiamentu. 

 

To find out more about more about LamanBlu or to schedule an appointment to see the collection, please contact them at:

www.LamanBlu.com

info@LamanBlu.com

Atelier: 720-837-1452

Fax: 801-659-8599

Autumn - Winter 2013 Mood Board

Wholesale markets start this week for the Autumn/Winter 2013 season and I thought you might like to take a peek at our mood board for the season.  We were inspired by things from the past, delicate, gilt, intricate and beautiful.  I'll post more later, but here's a peek at the mood board.....inspired?  I hope so!

Start With Mom

A very cool new directory for all of us mom's!  The brainchild of Malvina Beker, The Start With Mom website is a new resource directory for mom's seeking solutions to healthy living for her children.  Starting with finding out you are pregnant to birthing resources, baby shower ideas, diapers, clothing, counselling and support, pregnancy fitness and health, post natal, working mom's (and dad's) and the like.  

It's a great place to go to find articles, blog opinions, editorials, companies you might want to know about and more.  A wealth of resources in one easy place - I wish this website would have existed when my kids were babies!

Check them out (and our listing) at:  Start With Mom

Happy Friday!

Aloha - Happy New Year!

I'm feeling rather nostalgic as the new year begins.  2012 was a rather challenging year personally, and frankly, I'm glad to begin the new year and get a fresh start.  But I do find myself reflecting on my childhood quite a bit.  I'm nostalgic about simpler days.  As I watch my children with Christmas break winding to an end, and taking pleasure in simple things, I think it's a good reminder to cherish the ones we love and the simple things in life. 

2013 brings exciting things for LamanBlu.  An expanded retail presence after our New York show, a new website (which we're still tweaking - so if you have feedback for us - please let us know!).  We've also signed on as the exclusive girls' licensee for Hang Ten Gold, an iconic brand that I remember wearing as a child.

The LamanBlu and the Hang Ten brands are both a state of mind.  We have very similar brand philosophies and the two meld so well.  Our customers have the same fun-loving, adventurous, active lifestyles - it's just the expression of the brand that varies.  LamanBlu is pretty, girly, twirly and Hang Ten Gold is a bit more sporty. 

To put it simply - our customers are free spirits, seekers of good times, good people and moving experiences.  They are seeking high quality brands that reflect their fun-loving lifestyle all year round.  With Hang Ten Gold and LamanBlu we are bringing them lifestyle brands that radiate a fun and free-spirited coastal attitude, no matter what their latitude (or altitude!)

LamanBlu's next collection will be for Autumn-Winter 2013 and will launch in a couple of weeks.  Our first collection for Hang Ten Gold will launch in June for Spring-Summer 2014.  We're excited to bring you both collections.

Aloha - Happy New Year's!

decked out in vintage 70's authentic Hawaiian garb

(my daughter in my dress when I was about her age :)