Go British

Today the Junior team ventured to the chic surroundings of Claridge’s Hotel to see the launch of a new e-shop Go-british.co.uk. The website is dedicated to British designs and offers womenswear, menswear and childrenswear. In the childrenswear department, snatch up goodies from Linda Farrow; note these cute shades, aptly titled Luxe Kids Minx and Hunter wellies and rain coats. Or for you, we loved the novel hats from Victoria Grant, especially the daring kryptonite tracks beret!

Mink kid frame with dark grey lenses £225 by Linda Farrow at www.go-british.co.uk

Next Generation

Next has announced they are staging two fantastic fashion competitions for aspiring models and designers.

Next Generation is seeking four - to seven-year-old models to showcase their Spring/Summer 2010 collection in Next Directory. As well as starring in a fashion photo shoot, winners will also receive representation from children's modelling agency Urban Angels and a shopping spree at Next.

Meanwhile, young designers up to the age of 16 are also being invited to design a T-shirt, with winning designs being manufactured and sold at Next and profits donated to the Make-A-Wish Foundation for sick children.

Next Generation launches on Facebook November 4 - to enter, log in here. From this date onwards, parents and guardians can upload photos and family and friends can vote. Voting closes on November 25 and the top 100 entrants in the modelling competition and the top 50 T-shirt designers will be invited to the grand final party in the Deer Park at Woburn Abbey Safari Park on December 21. The party will include dance workshops hosted by Britain's Got Talent finalists Flawless, while Urban Angels will be on hand to provide modelling advice and contestants will also receive professional photographs to take home.

Meanwhile, the Junior team attended the launch of Next's Spring/Summer '10 collection. A traditional English country theme was prominent for boys as plaid shirts and waistcoats featured strongly, while there was a feast of festival-inspired pieces for girls, such as floral skirts, animal-print maxi dresses and brightly coloured playsuits.

New childrenswear line, Olsenboye, for spring 2010

The Olsen twins, Mary-Kate and Ashley, have joined forces with the US department store JC Penneys to create a childrenswear line for girls - from newborn to 15 - named Olsenboye.

It follows the theme of an oversized-sunglasses-wearing globetrotter. Featured products will include cropped blazers, jean leggings, oversized graphic T-shirts, sweatshirts, bags and footwear. The pattern-heavy collection reflects the Olsen boho style through florals, plaids and stripes.

They already run two successful fashion labels within their company and the range will add to their growing empire. Released in spring 2010, "Olsenboye is an opportunity to add something unique to the marketplace," says Ashley. "It complements and strengthens our business portfolio."

In July, the sisters were inducted into the prestigious Council of Fashion Designers of America, along with the likes of Alexander Wang.

Olsenboye will prelaunch on jcp.com and in 50 JCP stores on November 6. The full line will debut in 600 stores in February.

http://olsenboye.com/

Adams - the Topshop of Childrenswear

On October 21 the Junior team attended the Adams Kids relaunch at the Mappin Pavilion, London Zoo, where the brand boldly proclaimed: "We're back in fashion!"

While we were there, we were lucky enough to see the current Autumn/Winter collection. We also got a sneak preview of the upcoming Spring/Summer '10 pieces, which feature a more directional look, with products emphasising detail and embellishment for girlswear, and an extensive denim collection for boys. "We want to make it the Topshop of childrenswear," explains product director Lindsey Williams.

The key new pieces from the collection include nautical-inspired tees, structured blazers with matching high-waist shorts, trench coats and cropped leather jackets.

The relaunch followed the new ownership of Adams by Pakistani group Habib Alvim, who vowed to return Adams to its previous position as a high-street leader. Adams has already re-opened five of its former stores in the past six weeks and will open five more before the end of November. Store expansion is set to develop even more with 15 new stores in proposal for Easter next year.

Fun and Spooky Events

To celebrate the launch of the childrenswear collection in their Kingston, Dundrum (Ireland) and Manchester stores, French Connection is holding several exciting events.
The events will take place in Kingston on 24th October from 12 - 4pm, Dundrum on 7th November 12 - 4pm and in Manchester on 31st October 12 - 4pm.
For more information visit www.frenchconnection.com, where the winners of the Model Making competition will be displayed.
Also this month, have your broomsticks at the ready as Caramel Baby & Child will be holding in-store Halloween events on October 30th and 31st. You and your little monsters are invited to pop down for some scary sweets, terrifying treats and other Halloween themed fun, including make-your-own witches' hat or mask and decorating a spooky haunted house!
The events will take place at their Ledbury Road, Pavillion Road, Brompton Road and Richmond stores between 12pm and 4pm, so be there and prepare to be scared...

Launched just in time for October half term, Kickers has teamed up with Lego to create a colourful range of boots for boys and girls aged 4 - 10.

The iconic Kickers Kick Hi boots have been updated with Lego's bright colours and classic building blocks in the form of straps, fastenings and eyelets. The Lego details on the boots share the same dimensions as true Lego blocks, which means that children can further embellish their new shoes with real Lego blocks and figures, and each pair of boots comes with a free ticket for one adult and one child to Legoland Windsor.

"Kickers and Lego is a match made in heaven, with both companies sharing a fundamental aesthetic in our DNA of vibrant colour, creativity and huge positivity" says Ian Blackman, Managing Director for Kickers. "We're so happy with the results - the shoes have exceeded our expectations by miles."

The leather boots are available in different combinations of bright red, green, blue and yellow, as well as white leather with the classic Lego block print.

The boots are available in store and online, with prices starting at £50.

For more information visit http://www.kickers.co.uk/

Gant

The Spring/Summer preview at Gant carried on the classic Gant jet-setting style, inspired by Miami life. Bright pastel yellows, greens and pinks are neatly packaged into stylish polo shirts and rugby tops, with splashes of nautical influence in their navy and white lightweight jackets amd striped socks. This delicately colourful trend was also carried over into their new babywear collection, with the pastel colours being transferred to lightweight cotton dresses and miniature rugby tops.

Get ready for the party season with Mamas & Papas new collection, designed to smarten up your little ones in time for the festive season.

Heritage style jackets, jumpers, waistcoats and flat caps for boys are a traditional yet trendy leap into winter whilst the berry red and snowy white tones seen in the girlswear give a hint of cosy glamour.

There are gorgeous party dresses and cute cardigans aplenty, with no shortage of accessories to match. Thick tights with a touch of sparkle keep the party look going whilst on-trend ballet pumps will keep your little ballerina dancing all night long.

For the boys, there is an effortlessly stylish collection of interchangeable chocolate coloured courduroy and check pieces with grandpa-style knitted jumpers to keep him warm on those chilly evenings!

Ages newborn to 23 months, the collection is available in store and online. Visit http://www.mamasandpapas.com/ for details.

Grey Matters

U.S girlswear label Whitten Grey has launched its standalone online shop and charitable initiative 'Project Little Grey Dress'. "Whitten Grey is inspired by little girls and their need for well made; environmentally friendly clothing that does not lose its detail or edge". Their clothing is sold in 13 stores and 10 online stores worldwide.
The fall 2009 collection uses organic fabrics to create timeless pieces with classic schoolgirl charm that have the opportunity to help change the lives of other little girls in the worlds poorest countries.
'Project Little Grey Dress' is a unique initiative that allows customers to donate a Whitten Grey dress (courtesy of Whitten Grey) with each dress purchased. In additon, you can choose the colour of the dress and the country of donation, as well as write a personal message to the recipient.
The collection, for two to six year old girls, consists of simple shift dresses and crisp white shirts, complete with intricate pleat detailing and wide puritan style collars, ideal for parties or playtime. Prices from £43.
For more information on UK stockists and delivery sites visit www.whittengrey.com

When Iggy met Ziggy

How cool is this? Rock stars David Bowie and Iggy Pop are to join the elite rank of LEGO mini figures - whose number already includes Indiana Jones and Darth Vader - in the new LEGO Rock Band game.

The animated Iggy explodes typically shirtless to show off that toned torso with all his trademark intensity wearing only a bandage and blue skinny trousers, whilst Bowie is debonair in a demure white shirt with open bow tie, braces, beige trousers - and great attention to detail with his distinctive one green eye and one brown.

The new LEGO Rock Band is compatible with existing Guitar Hero and Rock Band consoles, and features classic rock and pop hits such as Bowies Let's Dance and Iggy's The Passenger.

The inclusion of a new 'Super Easy' mode also ensures younger rockstars (the ones who can stand up long enough to hold a guitar) can also take centre stage (when Daddy will allow it).

LEGO Rock Band is available on Sony PS3, Microsoft Xbox 360, Nintendo Wii & DS in November.

Ronit Zilkha launches new luxury childrenswear range

International womenswear designer Ronit Zilkha is due to debut her luxury childrenswear range at online boutique Madison Browne. The girlswear collection will launch under the label 'LuLLilu - created by Ronit Zhilka' and will hit the online store tomorrow!
Ronit Zhilka was born in Israel, and graduated with a BA (Hons) degree in Fashion Design before introducing her first womenswear collection in 1991.
The new collection features a range of chic and eclectic cashmere cardigans and dresses as well as accessories, gifts and babywear, which are all intricately assembled with signature Ronit Zilkha antique craft style details. The range will be available exclusively online in sizes 4 to 10 years.
For more information visit www.madisonbrowne.com

Paul Smith Relaunches Childrenswear Collection

Paul Smith, one of the most influential menswear designers of recent years, is set to relaunch his childrenswear label for autumn/winter 2010, the press office confirmed last Friday.
Famous for his multi-stripe signature, Paul Smith is one of the few labels to report significant profit increases (up 22 percent to £15 million to be precise) for the year ending June 2008.
The label will be an expansion of the existing childrenswear label which is currently limited to printed baby-grows and T-shirts.
Sir Paul will not head this new venture as Groupe Zannier, who also holds the licence for Kenzo and Little Marc Jacobs, will be designing the collection under licence.

Eco-warriors and butterflies

Adorable eco-warriors Pili Pala Childrenswear have recently launched their first collection, in sizes ranging from 12 months to 5 years.

The collection is the perfect combination of cute, fun and free-spirited shapes and vibrant colours, compiled simply into matching striped and printed tops, dresses, trousers and jumpsuits.

Made exclusively in a converted farmhouse in Aberystwyth, Wales (Pili pala is welsh for butterfly) their cute and comfortable clothing is made from 100% organic cotton and recycled velour, meaning all good eco-mums can sleep soundly in the knowledge that they are doing their part to keep the planet green, and their little darlings well suited.

For more information visit www.pilipalachildrenswear.com