Child Prodigy : DJ Kai Song

Children really know no boundaries when they are given the freedom to explore their interest.

No one told DJ Kai Song  that he had to wait and become an adult before he could start being a professional DJ.

With the full confidence to grow and learn, at just 9 years old, DJ Kai Song has quickly become a favorite amongst the DJ community.  
Most of all, he is completely adorable and can really speak to what he does in the most professional manner.

Photographer Kymberly Marciano had the opportunity to sit down and speak with DJ Kai Song when she saw him at last falls Petite Parade & VOGUE Bambini Kids Fashion Week, where he DJ'ed several shows, including the Target, and Swarovski events.

Here are a few facts about the DJ Prodigy she learned:

-The first song DJ Kai ever listened to was Yellow Submarine by The Beatles. He described the song making him feel,  "happy and want to sing".

-Growing up on a house filled with DJ equipment, (his 'papa', as he calls him, owns a DJ rental company) DJ Kai remembers being 2 or 3 when he started to ask for DJ-ing lessons.

-He is just like any other kid! After he is done with school, DJ Kai will participate in a number of  extra curricular activities, including soccer, Taek-Won-Do football and tennis! He also really enjoys playing with Lego's.

-What's on his iPod : He is currently listening to Tiesto: United, Zedd: Clarity, Krewella: Alive.

-Most inspiring of all, when asked what advice he would give to other creative kids, "you have to have a passion for what you are doing. And practice a lot!"  That's advice even the child in us can put to use.

First Gig At Children's Museum of Arts in NYC at 5 years old

Check out DJ Kai Song's latest mix album! https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/dj-kai-song-presents-school/id577932979

 

This makes us wonder, what other amazing things can kids do when we don't put limits to their imagination?

 

 

If you have an extraordinarily talented kid, let us know in the comment section below!

 

 

Isaac Mizrahi Encourages Tween Girls to Dress with Class and Sass!

As long time fans of Isaac Mizrahi, who holds a rich design history, Isaac has proven time and time again that he is a design force to be reckoned with.

 Most recently, he has taken on the tween market with an Isaac Mizrahi Girls collection, and it is ridiculously cute!

 With just the right amount of edge, the Girls Fall 2013 collection has taken queue from Rocker Mod / 50's inspiration. Focusing on the perfect combination of active lounge wear and perfectly girly dresses that are decked out with just the right amount of metallic and sequins, stripes and graphics, and polka dots and cheetah print!

Isaac Mizrahi came in as a breathe of fresh air, proving that girls can wear age appropriate clothing while still looking incredibly fashionable! Can't you just envision Sasha and Malia Obama wearing these frilly skirts and dresses?

Don't take our word for it, you be the judge ! We've rounded up some of our absolutely favorite looks from the collection.
Be sure to let us know which of these you're most excited to see your tween in!

  

 

 

 

 

 

We can't wait to shop his collection, Available August.

Seeing Summer Stripes

In case you haven't noticed, Summer is upon us. And this year, it is here with a vengeance!  So what are we to wear? 

We're here to give you a few outfit idea's for your little one!

BOYS:

Light colors help us keep cool.  So, try a sorbet of colors for your little guy! Oranges and light blues help bring out any kids special features; eye's, hair, ect. What's best, these looks can be found in a variety of price brackets, so it's not to worry if he gets a little dirty.  Keep him looking preppy with a pair of Sperry's in matching hues. 

Nieman Marcus, Splendid Littles; $58

Target Cherokke Boys Chino Shorts; $15

Stride Rite Sperry; $60

GIRLS:

It's no surprise that your little girl can be a bit more finicky when it comes to what she wears. So minimalism in her wardrobe could be your time saver in the mornings. Dresses are every girls best friend. This Juicy Couture Stripe dress is your answer! Simple, chic and easy to throw on, your little girl can wear this a million ways! Let her choose her fun costume accessories and throw on a pair of colorful Ked's and she's good to go!

Nordstrom Juicy Couture; $108



Stride Rite Keds $35

Hot Tots In The City!

With punky graphic tee's, leather pants, and a fur -yes, fur!- hooded coat, CHaLKnyc has all the makings to be the next "It" label, coveted by models, celebs and street bloggers alike. Now, imagine for a second, if we replaced New York City street style mavens with equally stylish tots?

CHaLKnyc is thinking just that! Just take a look at their adorable lookbook video!
 

 

 Deemed as the "Clothes for Kids That Moms Want too," CHaLKnyc's inception the idea to make a pair of stretch leather pants for kids, it then blossomed into a full line of high-end clothes.

We recently met up with CHaLK designer, Colleen Crivello, to discuss the line, motherhood, and the future of CHaLKnyc.

 

Q: When did you realize the need to start a children's collection?  

 CC: For some time now, we have seen an opportunity in the children's market for high-end clothes that are edgy, not fussy with a "high-low" look and fall into the mid-tier price-point in the luxury sector. With our daughter Alba as the catalyst, CHaLKnyc was a natural progression. As a womenswear designer, I have applied the same strategy, fabric selection and though process, as I would to a women's collection and adapted it for kids. I wanted to create something that spoke to moms like me: slightly unconventional, wearing brands like Isabel Marant, Celine and Reformation. Plus, I have always had an affinity for the kids market; the clothes just make you want to smile! What's better than that?
 

Colleen's Daughter, Alba

Q: You've said your Daughter is a big source of your inspiration, does she like to be involved while you are designing?
CC: Alba is definitely a source of my inspiration and possibly an employee! She is full of energy, slightly bohemian, born in the city and a little spicy to top it off! All of which influences and speaks to the ethos of the brand. In truth, I have created a monster! She has a definite opinion about what she will be wearing and a penchant for dresses, especially silk ones. She is also our resident fit model, along with her best friend, Coco. I throw samples on them and let them wear them around the city and out at the beach for the day to gauge reaction and wearability. 

Q: How has VOGUE Bambini influenced your creativity as a mother and a designer of children's fashion? 

Alba and Colleen

 CC: Roberto began his career in Italy in the fashion industry, at which time he became a huge fan of VOGUE Bambini vision and later introduced the magazine to me. VOGUE Bambini's approach to content and their point of view toward the children's market resonates with us and CHaLKnyc. I think only CHaLKnyc and VOGUE Bambini share a number of similar qualities by not only engaging with kids on a higher lever, but also reaching the parents through elevated concepts, superior quality and refined aesthetic rather than a lot of the fluff the market is now saturated with.

 

Q: As a mother, what do you think is the most important thing to look for when shopping for your children's clothes?

CC:Quality, because you can’t fake it, and origin.
This goes for anything I buy or make, be it fabrics, food, clothes or leather and has become increasingly important to me, not just as a mother but as a designer and a consumer.  I lean towards brands and products that are made in the US, Europe and certain parts of South America.  Many items produced out of Asia today are processed with chemicals such as formaldehyde, among other unconscionable treatments…I believe the more local you are, the more traceability and understanding you have as to what you are wearing, eating, drinking, etc.  Without being a fanatic, I'm a huge proponent of eating well, locally and organically.  I try to buy fair trade when possible and only buy top quality bi-product leather and mainly overstock fabrics that will enhance the performance of the garments, so they will have the longevity to not be thrown away after 6 months.
For example, CHaLKnyc is 90% made in the US and 10% in Peru and uses only bi-product skins and furs and mainly overstock fabrics from Europe and Japan.
  

Q:  What's next for CHaLK NYC? What can we expect for the collections to come?

 Currently we are developing our spring collection, which will be colorful, edgy and a bit beachy…I'm really excited to present this next season.
CHaLKnyc has been really well received thus far (especially our furs and fun stretch leather pants) and we anticipate an equally warm and enthusiastic reception of our spring looks. Spring 2014 will embody all of the effortless chic NYC downtown vibe that CHaLK currently has, but with a lighter fresher spring take...city kids at the beach wearing metallic, stripes, whites, bright pops of color and ethereal fabrics.
As for the near/distant future we will add an official boys line to the brand, it's only fair to the boys! We launched the brand exclusively online and with Barneys but will now begin to look for global distributors.

 

 CHaLKnyc designer, Colleen Crivello and her husband Roberto, own creative brand consultancy, FDS [Federation Design Studio] where they design men's and women's apparel,

shoes and accessory collections for large companies.

And, with special projects and collaborations in the pipeline, there are sure more insanely cute things to come from CHaLKnyc!

Till then, we’ve rounded up some of our favorite CHaLKnyc pieces!  

 

Perry Lamb Fur and Leather Jacket  - $698

Charlie Lamb Leather Jacket - $398
 



Alba Silk Crepe Dress - $198

Olympia Harlem Pants - $148



Xane Leather Pants - $498

Boe Tee - $48

CHaLKnyc is currently available at Barney's stores in New York and Los Angeles or Shop online at www.CHaLKnyc.com

Missoni Marmalade: As Featured in VOGUE Bambini

What child isn't picky about the food they eat? Nowadays it's almost impossible to get your children to eat anything besides cake and cookies.

Included in the Anniversary issue of VOGUE Bambini is Mommy and Baby approved food by Italian Chef, Alessandro Enriquez who shares his favorite recipes and interviews Mommy-to-Be Margherita Maccapani Missoni.

It comes to no surprise that color is, and will be, an important factor for Margherita when she cooks for her family and future baby, "Colors have always been important in the Missoni house, and that includes food," Margherita shares. She recommends Palatschicken with her grandmother Rosita's Marmalde.

We have the recipe for you here!

               PALATSCHICKEN - Serves 4
 Ingredients :
          2 eggs
          100ml of milk
          75g flour
          25g sugar
          80g butter
          1/2 cup of apricot marmalade, salt, powder sugar, ground almonds

Mix the eggs with the milk and 50ml of water in a bowl. Add the flour, sugar and a pinch of salt. Keep beating the batter until it become smooth and frothy. Melt some butter in a pan and pour 1/8 of the batter in the pan. Brown the crepes on both sides for 3 minutes. Spread the crepes with the apricot jam, fold them and place them in a Pyrex glass baking dish in a tepid oven. Sprinkle with powdered sugar and ground almonds. Serve warm.

We cant wait to try all the recipes featured in the months VOGUE Bambini special edition "Il cibo che sorride"

As a special treat, take a look at the promo video for An Italian Theory.
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PetitiePARADE Highlights

With all the excitement in our offices around the upcoming PetitePARADE Kids Fashion Week in October, VOGUE Bambini highlighted all the backstage madness from PetitePARADE's March Fashion show.

From the nail polish favorites from Little Blu, to Dj Kai Song spinning kid friendly beats, this 7 pages editorial features proves PetitePARADE's show was 'it' place to see and been seen when it comes to children's fashion. With great shows from Target to Diesel, guest got to see the cutest fashion for tiny tots. Check out the spread in the July/August Issue! 

  Enjoy!

Xoxo,