Editor’s Note

WINNING RESOLUTIONS

IT’S OUR LAST issue of the year, the one that honors design excellence in childrenswear. For more than six decades, hundreds of companies representing the crème de la crème have earned a coveted Earnie Award. The excitement starts with the announcement of the nominees and builds until the winners are declared. We recognize the hard work, passion and dedication of all the nominees, who have emerged from today’s challenging business environment to soar to impressive new heights of success. We applaud our 22 winning manufacturers and our Retailer of the Year, State of Kid. Once you receive an Earnie, your company is forever an award-winning one. Among all the winners, one common thread is that they each set a goal to become in the best in their category. Little Lady Products aimed to be the best in the non-toxic beauty world. Naturino’s goal was to improve children’s well-being through footwear. Three Hearts focused on European-inspired teethers and accessories, which gained them thousands of new accounts including placement in Nordstrom. From a host of first-timers to many repeat performers, I hope you will love our special Profiles in Excellence beginning on page 12. In December, as we reflect on the previous year and think about what we want to achieve in the next one, it’s time to create resolutions. Take stock of where your business has been and where you want it to go. What did your business do well this year, and in what areas could you improve it? Where are the gaps in the market, and how can you meet that need? Envision, manifest, conduct competitive analyses — whatever method you may use — set your goals, and then create a concrete plan to achieve them. I’m truly excited to see where 2023 takes the childrenswear industry. Here at Earnshaw’s, we’re resolved to make 2023 our best year ever with more incredible fashion stories from our award-winning creative team, more compelling features about unique retailers and manufacturers and a more robust social media presence.

But we also need you to help us reach new goals of editorial excellence. How is your business adapting to meet the market’s ever-changing needs? Do you have a new retail account or a trend you’d like to share with our community? Please drop me a line at michele.silver@wainscotmedia. com. As Editor in Chief, my ongoing resolution is to help bring your story to our pages and show off to the industry how you are the best.

Earnshaw’s wishes you and your families a most happy and especially healthy New Year.

Michele Silver Editor in Chief