Hip fashions for hip youngsters

AT THE NEW YORK MARKET — Supplementing its more basic existing collection for girls and boys, P.J. Kids will add more fashion-oriented looks at market, as well as complementary accessories.

The five styles for girls — Marrakesh, Funky Shoes, Suzie's Garden, Zippy Fish and Country Patchwork — are available as a comforter or quilt and sham set packaged together in a beach bag, a three-piece sheet set and a dust ruffle. The sheet sets and dust ruffles are 240 count sateen, and the comforter and quilts use the 240 count construction with polyester batting for fill. The three piece comforter or quilt set will range from $149 to $199 retail while the three-piece sheet sets will be approximately $89 and the dust ruffle $79.

The boys' collection — in the styles Seaside, Camo Supply, Adirondack, Galaxies and Triassic — are complete six-piece bed ensembles packaged in a canvas backpack. Printed on 240 count cotton ticking, the comforters are reversible and poly-filled. The sheets are constructed of 240 count cotton sateen. The sets range in retail prices from $199 to $219. In addition, the Galaxies pattern also has an appliqued three-piece quilt set called Space Explorers available.

"The direction for these bedding collections was to offer a more themed and design oriented approach rather than basic bedding like our last introductions in fall 2002," said Stewart Paul, president. "Candy [Myers, textile designer] has gone the extra mile to embellish and come up with designs that were fashion forward, colors that are on target and treatments that are new and fresh."

Occasional furniture, hooked or braided rugs, lamps and drawer knobs will also be shown with many of these collections.

"As P.J. continues to grow our bedding business, it will be our goal to introduce a collection of accessories for each of these collections to ensure that retailers will be able to make P.J. Kids their one stop shop for all of their youth needs," said Paul.