Denim daze
A key global children's fashion event points the way for the next season's looks
Dots, stripes and checks were prominent, with combinations of red, blue and white being popular. Stripes were broad and narrow, and ginghams played a supporting roll. Burberry London's spring/summer 2007 childrenswear collection features its classic exploded check on kilts with feminine satin edging.
Adventure was a key theme with ranges featuring familiar destinations and exotic exploration. Rugged outdoor looks were enhanced with badges, stamps and heraldry, invoking a sense of membership to an exclusive club. Timberland's spring/summer 2007 collection uses cargo stamps, port cranes, ropes and imposing liners to invoke the call of the open sea. Rough poplin and woven cottons are teamed with 'used' denims. Indi Jo's military inspired styles are embellished with graphics combining spray painting, distressed foil and inside out prints. Monnalisa's Kim Possible line (left) is trendy and energetic, fashion-conscious and adventurous.
Denim looks hot for the spring/summer 2007 season, if trends at one of the key international launch pads for children's fashions are anything to go by. But exhibitors at the Pitti Immagine Bimbo fair trade, held in Florence, Italy this month, proved that this perennial favourite can have a variety of exciting reincarnations even beyond the sports and streetwear categories. While a rugged, outdoor look was popular, denim revealed its versatility even in the more formal ranges. For a dressier, softer look, it was layered with delicate tulle, broderie anglaise, and cotton prints, and embellished with faceted beads, diamante and sequins. In DKNY's East Village collection, sequinned butterflies decorate lightweight denim jackets. Elle's 'Mi-ange mi-demon' theme sees denim delicately embroidered. Blue denim made way for a range of other colours including brown, white, cream and khaki. Marithe + Francois Girbaud combined the fabric with stripes, wove it with indigo, red and white, and presented it in ochre tones, with a faded look. Monnalisa's American Days (left) continues the red, white and blue theme with a range of jeans with stitching detail and ribbons.
Smocking and embroidery made their seasonal appearance in baby wear, in the classic layette pastels. Familiar themes included boats and ducks, teddies, fish and flowers. With an emphasis on a classic, old-world feel, outfits were complimented by the tiniest of leather shoes and linen hats.
Vintage, time-honoured themes were revisited. In IPinco Pallino's spring/summer collection 2007 (below), stripes and classic cuts invoke the collegiate boating feel for boys, while for girls, the romantic organzas and muslins speak of idyllic childhood settings. Monnalisa's Amalfi story introduces romantic pleating, puffed sleeves and folk embroideries with a poppy theme. In footwear, Car Shoe's spring/summer 2007 collection reinterprets the classic shapes of children's footwear with modern materials - canvas with suede details - and up-to-date colours.