MORE FROM ENK & D&A TRADE SHOWS
Mid-town, NYC May 14th
Text, Images J. Ecochard
We can say FOR SURE-that products stashed in editorial bags get us going to designers we’ve never heard of.
The ENK goodies (from last week’s shows at the 59th Street PIERs, NYC)- had two trend cute smocked, easy-to-wear sleeveless tunic/mini-dresses in sunny orange and emerald green by DEX. Adorable and affordable!!!!!
So we dashed over to the DEX display just before quittin’ time-and chatted with Kimberly O’Connell-who’s Market Showroom reps this Montreal “fashion basics” line.
O’Connell pointed out that for the revitalized Dex line- “layered tunics work for all” -even though the “lifestyle” brand is somewhat aimed at the hip tweener, Gossip Girl bunch.
For Fall 2008, DEX designer Nathalie Assouline works with boiled wool, super soft chunky knits and a few silks to turn out wearable garb in longer tops (banning the dreaded ‘crack’disease via low-rise jeans), polished sweaters with fetching dolman sleeves, and drapey cowl necks. Swingy rayon/spandex oversized tops with pleating or ruffle details can also anchor any autumnal wardrobe…as do DEX’s dominant “it” colors of plum, mustard, cement grey, and teal blue.
We also took our bods over to the midtown Market Showroom to preview two newish organic lines that we had no time to catch at last week’s Designers and Agents show.
K.ART
Founded by FIT grad, Michigan native Michael Wahlstrom, K.ART (pronounced “cart”) takes kids’ drawings and screens them on a line of sorbet smooth tinged 100% organic cotton tees.
Wahlstrom lightbulbed this screening idea from his niece who wanted to put one of her imaginative drawings on a snazzy tee-shirt instead of mom’s fridge. So Uncle Michael obliged when he hauled over artist’s supplies to two elementary schools in and around his hometown, and had the kids draw away.
The results are nifty, unique-and organic. Even the inside labels in contrasting colors, are made from recycled scraps.
PLUS- the shirt sales give back-with some proceeds going back to the kids’ schools. We are sure- in this age of -cut arts education first/ budget constraints- K.Art’s generosity is appreciated- and envision Wahlstrom partnering with celeb mommies and their tots’ doodles-with personal charities on the monetary receiving end.
PANDA SNACK™
We hand it to this cool urban/beach/preppy brand-who trademarked the expression “Yeah it’s Bamboo™” and “Eco Sexy™”----smart, smart, smart.
Panda Snack’s catchy name and logo-translate into luxury knit, easy wear separates for guys and gals with as soft as cashmere 75% bamboo tees, raw edged hoodies and sportswear worthy sweats.
Founders Deborah Boria and Dearrick Knupp have visions of extending the Bamboo line to include home furnishings, loungewear etc. We think that even in the getting crowded eco space-there’s a willing market of buyers for simple, plush items made by environmentally aware manufacturers’ paying fair wages. And bamboo-embedded with natural anti-bacterial properties, and a fabric’s that’s breathable and cool-will no longer be considered an exotic textile but a relatively fast growing, pesticide free staple.
MSRP-$100-$200