After speaking to exhibitors at Playtime & Kid’s Hub New York, Abigail Baldwin, Head of Brand at Buttercrumble, discusses the industry’s current state of play.
“For any organisation, its community usually remains the cornerstone for everything it does. After a few turbulent years, we missed nurturing these connections face-to-face. We needed to break out into the ‘real world’ again.
So, we hit the pavements of Manhattan, New York; it was an attack on the senses. There was food, characters, artwork, and more food. We were there to attend the Playtime & Kid’s Hub trade show. Kid’s Hub is run by the organisers behind Playtime. They are both children’s fashion and lifestyle trade shows with a global audience and one of the go-to B2B marketplaces for the sector.
Whilst there, we connected with our young-at-heart clients and partners. The consensus amongst brands we spoke to was positive, with many looking to the future after a challenging period over the pandemic.
Mariana Güereque, co-founder of ternPaks, shared the biggest challenge. “After the pandemic, retailers are themselves trying to figure out how to best interact with their customers and fulfil their needs, and that is an issue that trickles down to us.”
Yet, we believe this is stabilising. Nichole Moss, founder of Lola & The Boys, says, “The greatest challenge for us is keeping up with the demand. We are thrilled to have hit a growth spurt with the brand and lots of moving parts to keep up with.”
These positive feelings translated to the fashion on display
Rainbows are here to stay, as the globe seeks to find joy in the everyday. Playful prints were plentiful too, as they appeal to children. Yet, I believe even adults are looking for a fun injection. Dare to bring fun into your designs – you won’t go far wrong.
When you understand what is important to current society, you gain meaning and purpose — you will truly matter to your audience. If you’re a forward-thinking, go-getting brand, you need to get in on the ground floor. Be an innovator and ensure you are networking, researching and listening.
The show was full of inspiration and bustling with conversation. The sense of community within the children’s industry continues to grow on a global scale. We’re excited to see what’s next.”
Buttercrumble is a creative studio founded by twin sisters Chloe and Abigail Baldwin, offering creative solutions, trend forecasting and specialist sector knowledge. To visit Buttercrumble’s website, please click here. Alternatively, for further information on Playtime & Kid’s Hub New York, please click here.
