Isaac Mizrahi to Design Line for Newborn

On top of all of his other projects, including a new show on Lifetime, Project Runway All-Stars, top designer Isaac Mizrahi is launching a new line for newborns and infants this fall. The line, which will fall under a manufacturing and distribution deal with bon bebe, will be available in department and specialty stores soon, and is sure to be the must-have brand for discerning babies and parents as soon as it hits the market.

The initial 25-piece collection will be for babies and newborns, but Mizrahi expects to eventually expand the collection to include apparel for older children.

Spotlight on the Asia's Biggest Toy Fair

Environmentally friendly toys, stationery and baby products and a full program of international speakers and award presentations have attracted more than 2,600 exhibitors to four trade fairs, which was held at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre (HKCEC) January 9 – 12, 2012. The HKTDC Hong Kong Toys & Games Fair is Asia's largest and is actually three product fairs, which ran through to January 11.

The 38th Toys & Games Fair welcomed first-time participants from Greece, Macau, Russia and Ukraine. Exhibitors to the Baby Products Fair were up more than 6 percent over last year and the event welcomed first-time participants from Colombia, Poland and South Africa.

The 12th edition of the Stationery Fair hosted first-time participants from Costa Rica, Italy, Switzerland, the United Arab Emirates and the United Kingdom. Group pavilions were set up for exhibitors from the mainland, Taiwan and Thailand, and special product zones focus on children's stationery and school supplies, gift stationery, office supplies, and paper and printing products.

HKTDC Hong Kong International Licensing Show's 10th edition built on a decade of success, and attracted more than 170 exhibitors from 16 countries and regions and featuring over 500 properties. The most established event of its kind in Asia, this year's conference featured speakers from licensing giants such as Disney, Sanrio and Sony Pictures Entertainment.

Fertility Rises Again

The baby bust in the U.S. is over, according to a report released from Demographic Intelligence, the nation's premier provider of birth forecasts.In the wake of the Great Recession, the total fertility rate (TFR) and the number of births in the United States fell more than 7 percent from 2007 to 2010. Now, the TFR and the number of births in the United States are rising, according to the January edition of The U.S. Fertility Forecast from Demographic Intelligence (DI). The report projects that the TFR will rise from 1.93 children per woman in 2010 to 1.98 children per woman in 2012, and that the United States will register more than 4 million births this year.

According to Demographic Intelligence (DI) analyses, approximately 1.08 million babies were postponed or foregone from 2008 to 2011. Parents considering a second, third, or fourth child have been particularly likely to avoid having a child since the recession began in December of 2007. "Childbearing is partly an economic decision and clearly many couples felt like they could not afford an additional child," said Samuel Sturgeon, director of research at Demographic Intelligence.Nevertheless, the report indicates that births are now rising for at least three reasons: the number of American women in their prime childbearing years is rising, many families do not want to postpone a birth any longer, and pronatalism remains high in the United States.

January's Digital Issue of Baby & Kids Magazine is Now Available

Welcome to the January digital issue of Baby & Kids Magazine

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Baby & Kids Magazine Congratulates Juvenile Industry Leaders

Kids in Distressed Situations, Inc. (K.I.D.S.), the internationally renowned children’s charity, has announced that it raised over $1.1 million at its 26th Anniversary Gala on December 8th, 2011 at 583 Park Avenue. The gala, attended by some 600 guests, was a tribute to the significant impact that retailers and vendors play in partnering with a not-for- profit to meet the needs of those struggling to survive either poverty or natural disasters.

Joe Shamie, co-president of Delta Children’s Products and recipient of the Humanitarian Award, shared his personal impressions about the "gift of giving". Speaking about the tradition of giving back instilled in him since his youth through his family, Shamie noted the joy that he feels when he and Delta Children’s Products can provide products to children around the country. In addition to the donations he provides of cribs, play yards and other juvenile product, Jerry Storch, CEO of Toys"R"Us, noted the leadership role that Joe has played in setting safety standards in the juvenile product industry as he presented Joe with the K.I.D.S. Humanitarian Award.

Steven Lawrence, jcpenney Executive Vice President and Senior Merchandise Manager of Men's, Children's and Home remarked, when receiving the K.I.D.S. Retailer Award, that corporate social responsibility plays an integral role in the culture and policies of the major retailing company. With its own fund that supports after school activities for children in need, jcpenney serves as a role model to other corporations for its commitment to building a next generation that is well educated and productive citizens. Mike Ulman, Executive Chairman of jcpenney, presented the award to Lawrence noting the significant role that he plays in building and strengthening jcpenney.

For more information on donating new products and supporting K.I.D.S.’ work, visit KIDSdonations.org.