Classic black and white sets the trend

By Lisa Casinger -- Kids Today, 11/1/2007 12:00:00 AM

Although there are tried and true hues found in the infant/youth industry — pinks, blues, greens and yellows — color trends always are evolving. Bright pinks, lime greens and, of course, chocolate paired with pink, blue or green have had their 15 minutes of fame and still linger, but we're starting to see a trend toward an even more sophisticated look: classic black and white.

It's popping up everywhere. Check out the latest runway fashions, page through the shelter and glamour magazines: black and white is on-trend. Often color schemes in the couture or home markets find their way, eventually, into the juvenile market, but black and white seems to have hit all the markets in one fell swoop.

The combination is crisp, represents a balance, is timeless and most importantly, is versatile. Monochromatic prints can be modern, as is the pattern on Fleurville's Geo Mothership tote, or more traditional, like the mini-damask pattern on the rug from The Rug Market. It can be whimsically illustrated with penguins, like on Flensted's mobile or the plush Penguino from North American Bear Co. or pulled from the classic themes of Chinoiserie, like Whistle & Wink's China Doll bedding.

Black and white also partner well with just about any other hue, making it a good foundation for infant or youth rooms for boys and girls.

Retailer Sandy Buttrill loved the color scheme so much she set up vignettes for baby and youth in both her Amarillo and Lubbock Texas Kidspace stores (see the September 2007 cover story for more on Kidspace).

"It's selling really well," Buttrill said. "It sells better in baby than in older kids,' though, because the bedding we have is about $450 and moms are more willing to spend that on their babies than on older kids."

Buttrill's daughter, Kathy Coker, runs the Lubbock store, which has a more upscale clientele. She often works with manufacturers to develop the stores' custom bedding, so she was privy to the fabric trends before they hit the market and noticed the black and white theme last fall.

"Kathy has a great design eye and knew the black and white was going to be strong this year," Buttrill said.

Kidspace has its black and white vignette it its front window and Buttrill said that not only has she sold about 10 to 12 bedding sets since August, customers also are buying the black and white accessories even if they don't have children.

Simon May, owner and founder of Bloom, said his company designs its products to be innovative in terms of function but he sees it being equally as important that the products fit the sense of style today's families are looking for.

"When we ventured into the homes of these modern families, we saw the investment they made in making their contemporary homes artful," May said. "Our black and white products are striking as stand-alone pieces creating the silhouettes and clean lines we strive for. At the same time, they are elegant and understated, in seamless harmony with the spaces of the modern home, leaving the little ones to bring the splashes of color and life as only they can."

Pamela Gold, owner of OneWorld, said her company is typically all about color with its frames, knobs and other accessories but she wanted to "play off the black and white trends that seem so hot right now."

Gold said the challenge was finding monochromatic patterns that were happy without being too dark. The designs and color schemes are selling well, though, and she thinks it's because they're fun and simple.

Newport Cottages has found success with its black and white offerings. Shown here is its panel crib, four-drawer curved chest and black Taylor tray with Cottage Dreams' bedding and a black and white chandelier from I Lite 4 U.

Penguin Talk, distributed by Nielsen Trading for Flensted Mobiles, is designed by Ole Flensted. Each Flensted mobile is made so the elements are in constant motion and are balanced. Penguin Talk, $37, measures 18″× 18″.

Fresco Loft is the premium version of Bloom's Fresco baby chair, $500. It was developed in response to consumers who were looking for something more modern and functional in a high chair. The chair is suitable for infants to children up to 80 pounds; it has an extra 6″ of height so it can be used at breakfast bars. Though available in various colors, the new ebony and ivory collection has been quite popular.

Fleurville's Geo black and white pattern is available across the line, shown here on the MotherShip tote, $150. The re-designed MotherShip is PVC-free and has a waterproof liner, wipes case, fob wrist bag and changing pad, re-shaped side pockets and the polyurethane outer shell resists changes in temperature, cracking and abrasions.

Penguino is a new addition to North American Bear Co.'s My Own Monsters collection. The "monsters" are designed exclusively by staff member's kids and a portion of all sales is donated to Global Action for Children. Penguino is made from soft velboa and has embroidered facial features. It's available in 30″, $30, or 17″, $16.

The Peanut Shell offers its cotton stretch sateen baby sling in urban zebra, an on-trend print with a black and cream colorway, $50.

The Rug Market's mini damask black and white rug is made from cotton with a hi/low flannel hook. The sophisticated look also is available in black and sage or black and yellow, a 3′× 5′ is $160.

Suzibella offers the next stage in diaper bags with its Nappi Sak. It looks like a stylish purse with its bamboo handle and fashion-forward fabrics; unfolded it stores a changing pad, moisture-tight container for diapers and wipes and fabric pockets for essentials.

China Doll from Whistle & Wink brings the classic, timeless theme of Chinoiserie or China toiles to bedding with sweet vignettes of a doll in an Asian garden. The collection is available in crib and youth bedding.

OneWorld's funky black and white frames are available in different patterns and sizes; this 5″× 7″ floral version is $40 and a 4″× 6″ is $35.

Mari Robeson's black and white Heraldic wall decor can be personalized, making it a perfect on-trend gift for new parents.