#Baby Clothing Market Trends

[heybeedesigns]

[faeriekit]

New In Town (dp x dc)

ALRIGHT! 👏🏽 A prompt. (Or, well. A premise.) I’m schtealing a lot of worldbuilding from @mediumsizedpidegon‘s post here so bear with me please.

The Bats, however they catch wind of Amity, catch wind of Amity Park. Of course they do. Amity Park has a very distinct presence— Or, well, a lack of a presence. It may have an abundance of documented weirdness online, from folk stories to abandoned livestreams to concerning details in expats’ online blogs.

But there is no online evidence of Amity Park that leaves Amity Park.

So. What is a family of detectives to do when confronted with the need to gather physical evidence? Road Trip, baby!🏄🏽‍♂️🚗🚞🚡

Everyone hops in the car/Batplane and makes their way to Amity Park; they make hotel reservations, ring up the only reasonably rich enough people to even touch their social circle (the Manson family, and Vlad Masters, apparently), make an itinerary for all the documented tourist stops to hit up while in town off the town website, and prepare themselves for whatever dimensional weirdness is causing a complete tech blackout on the town and an inability to be found by satellite.

They get about ten feet into Amity proper when they meet the first local.

His name is Danny. He’s nice! Affable. He looks a lot like any other Wayne sibling, actually, if a little on the younger side. He notices it’s their first time in town. Do they need any help getting around?

Best way to get information is to ingratiate with a local, so...sure, why not? They get a free tour guide, Danny gets to show off his town; they see all the sights, like the local burger joint, the school, the Manson home, the town hall, the city proper. They’re having a clothing swap in the temple parking lot, actually. You should go check it out!

For whatever reason, it’s all...Punk? Goth? There’s a couple of lolita dressed tossed in, and some crocheted things. Everyone has a trunk out their car, eyeliner, and at least two piercings in their face; everyone here seems to know each other on a personal level. Well, small towns are small towns. Whatever.

Danny isn’t deterred by their reactions. If they want, there’s the movie in park tonight! If not, they can catch dinner, though; their hotel restaurant closes at 8pm sharp. (He just...knows this off the top of his head?)

They split up. Some of the family people watch at the restaurant. Everyone is...weirdly courteous to them. A little standoffish. But not at the Wayne name, just at...them being there.

The people at the park find out they’re watching The Night of the Living Dead. This would be much more normal if the park wasn’t also clearly the cemetery, in the middle of July? Which is. Why? It’s not even for any holiday or special time of the year? It’s just...clearly a movie night in the summer? There are little kids here, playing among the gravestones while their parents set out blankets and snacks. Why is this considered a family event??

Well. At least Jason has fun.

Everyone goes to bed and reconvenes in the morning. When they wake up and roll out for the day, Danny manages to find them again, this time with two new friends, bright and chipper in the morning. There’s a farmer’s market today! Everyone’s worked really hard on this week’s harvest; don’t they want to see?

...Sure?

And the longer they’re in Amity Park, the more they begin to realize how convenient it is, that they’re ferried around so easily; that there’s immediately a local who takes a liking to them, that there’s always something else to do; how suspicious it is that no data can get in or out of Amity now that they’re in it, or how they can’t seem to get close to any of the more suspicious parts of town they want to infiltrate. The town is entirely closed to outside influences. The fashion trends are strange and foreign. They only eat things grown in the area, by people they know, and it’s all sort of...green. Everyone knows everyone. Everyone knows where to go. Who to talk to. The superstitions— make no wishes, step on no cracks, wear no large jewelry, cross no shadows of any person (living or dead, apparently), speak to no one without full view of their eyes. 

But nothing seems dangerous— not until a few of them try to investigate Axiom Labs, a subsidiary of the otherwise national Dalvco company, and are met to the face with a blaster that uses tech they’ve never seen, by a red fighter in an ultra-synthetic suit.

Overnight, the extremely polite and welcoming town becomes a hostile entity to fight their way out of.

[lucythornwalter]

In Greeting and Introduction:

In 1986, Pleasant Company unleashed the American Girls upon the world, and nothing has ever been the same. If you’re between the ages of 25 and 40 (sorry, Gen Z, but this is really a millennial phenomenon) and were at any point in your childhood aligned or identified as a ‘girl’, you probably have memories of decadently arranged extra-wide catalogues coming in the mail, or slim box sets of six books with names like Samantha Learns a Lesson or Changes for Kirsten, or visits to a toy store that was more like a luxury hotel, or – if you were especially lucky – unwrapping a long and heavy box on your birthday or on Christmas to reveal a much-anticipated new best friend. Even if you weren’t subjected to the rigors of late-twentieth-century girlhood, you probably knew something about this brand thanks to the way it took hold in the hearts and minds of an entire generation of – ha! – American girls who went to school with other American children and often brought dolls and books and catalogues and trip reports back with them.

So, what exactly was this brand?

1986 is a fascinating year in pop culture, and one I’ve been personally fixated on for over a decade. It’s the year of the (first) death of Optimus Prime in The Transformers: The Movie, the year of Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home, the year of Phantom of the Opera’s spectacular West End debut, the year of Labyrinth, the year of Hellraiser. If you outgrew American Girl and trended toward the weird and darkly gothic, this is a year you’re intimately familiar with, whether you know it or not. Fitting, then, that it’s the year the dolls were born.

The story goes that educator Pleasant Rowland, in the process of attempting to buy dolls for her family, found herself frustrated by a perceived gap in the market. While baby dolls served as proxies for burgeoning parental instinct, and fashion dolls served as more mature aspirational figures (or, in many cases, adult stars of complicated child-crafted soap operas), there were no dolls that girls could look upon as peers. I find myself skeptical of this claim, largely because mythical doll origins are often hilariously selective and inaccurate – for one thing, Barbie was not even close to the first adolescent/adult fashion doll for little girls – but it is consistently cited as one of the concerns in developing the line. With that frustration to chew on, and inspired by a visit to Colonial Williamsburg (a living history museum focused on life in America in the immediate years preceding the Revolutionary War), Rowland developed the concept of the American Girls. These would be eighteen-inch cloth and vinyl dolls portraying distinct historical figures living in different eras of American history, each with their own name and family and backstory. She worked with author Valerie Tripp to develop the identities of each girl, and then launched the brand under her new company, Pleasant Company (which is such a clever idea for an instantly recognizable corporation) with three dolls ready to go.

Now, there are American Girl stores in multiple malls, and when I was a little girl there were near-mythical American Girl Places in Chicago and New York and I think somewhere in California, but when Rowland began her business model was entirely by mail with no brick-and-mortar location to visit. Little girls and their families became aware of the existence of these dolls and their stories when catalogues that quickly became iconic arrived in the mail once every few months, and despite the high prices of everything from the dolls themselves to the books telling their stories, they bought up everything Pleasant Company had to sell. Rowland had a bona fide hit on her hands.

She had launched the brand with three characters – Kirsten Larson, a Swedish immigrant and pioneer living in the Minnesota Territory in 1854, Samantha Parkington, an Edwardian girl from a rich family living in New York in 1904, and Molly McIntyre, a Scottish-descended girl from a solidly middle-class family living in Jefferson, Illinois in 1944. Each doll, when ordered, came with a book bearing their name, and there were two additional books available for purchase alongside the collections of themed accessories and furniture. This number quickly expanded to six, all bearing similar names and reflecting similar themes across multiple decades. In 1991, a fourth historical character joined the lineup – this was Felicity Merriman, a gentleman’s daughter from 1774 Williamsburg. After her was Addy Walker, introduced in 1993, a fugitive slave who escaped to Philadelphia with her mother and lived there in 1864. Next in 1997 came Josefina Montoya, a rancher’s daughter living near Santa Fe, New Mexico in 1824 with her father, sisters, and extended family. In 2000, Kit Kittredge of 1933’s Cincinnati, Ohio joined the lineup. And lastly, at least for this analysis of my own history with the brand, in 2002 we have my dearly beloved Kaya’aton’my of the Nez Perce, living with her tribe in pre-contact years in 1764.

There are other American Girls. Mattel bought out Pleasant Company and has slowly been hollowing out the brand’s credibility, but it persists. Other historical dolls have been introduced, and many of them sound just as brilliant as the ones I grew up with. But those eight, those “original” eight, were my American Girls, and it’s their stories I want to examine, and their impacts upon my life that are still felt. Kit’s resourcefulness and adaptability when her father lost her job helped me when I was twelve and my father lost his job, Felicity’s determination to find the right balance between gender nonconformity and gender conformity inspired me to never settle for being forced into a box I didn’t fit, Samantha’s fierce loyalty to her friend Nellie was a balm to my prepubescent closeted lesbianism, and Kaya’s connection to her tribe and their traditions and culture gave me something to cling to in the midst of my rootless, forcibly assimilated indigenous childhood. (Yes, I’m indigenous, no, I’m not really going to be making my writing and blogging about an #ownvoices kind of thing, because we should get to be nerds and have the same access to privacy that white people have, but it’s relevant here and it’s relevant in my original fiction because it’s part of me.)

Of course, growing up and getting an education means looking at your past again with a wiser, more critical eye. Historical education has changed a lot since 2002, and has changed even more since 1986. The stories of the American Girls are both narrative and informative, intended to capture realistic-feeling moments in time that are grounded in real historical events and practices. How do they hold up to the standards of 2024, nearly two decades since I grew into Brontë and McCaffrey and Hugo and Dumas and Homer? How do they feel to me as an actively reconnecting indigenous lesbian whose perspective on America is very different now than when I was a child and my family tried hard to pretend we fit in? Are their books and wider stories even any good?

These are the questions I’m seeking to answer in this series of blogs, which I’ll be calling The American Girls and Me. Each fortnight (that’s every two weeks) I’ll examine a different girl, starting with her main books and going forward from there. The first series of book blogs will be published simultaneously here and on my Patreon page, completely free to read and open to the public. After that, Patreon will get things a week before they’re published here, but I’m not looking to make a serious income, so if you pay me the exorbitant price of $1 you will get to see things whenever they’re posted or you can wait for seven days to catch up. There will be some Patreon-exclusive bonus content once every couple of months, though, plus when I start publishing my original fiction it will be there alongside here, so if that sounds interesting maybe consider giving me a click?

My cutoff year is 2005 – that was the last year I asked for and received an American Girl doll as a present from my grandmother, and that was the symbolic end of the American Girl era of my life. I may take a look at the two American Girl movies that came out in 2006 and 2008 and adapted the stories of Molly and Kit respectively, but I didn’t go to great lengths to watch either of them. I was too busy rewatching The Curse of the Black Pearl and Van Helsing and The Revenge of the Sith to care about people who were now three and four years younger than me, and my own visions of both girls’ lives were too precious to me to risk a bad or disappointing adaptation.

Okay, then, what exactly will I be covering?

Like I said above, I’ll start with the stories. All eight girls, all six books + their “Looking Back/A Peek Into the Past” chapters. I’ll talk about my childhood impressions, my connections with different narratives, how those have changed now that I’m in my thirties, and places where I think the books have aged particularly poorly or particularly well.

After that, we’ll look at their short stories pre-2005, and see what those add to or detract from the canon of core story beats. These were in some cases published over a decade after the books finished up, and the tonal or thematic differences should be interesting to note.

Once the fiction is finished up we’ll look at each doll. I’ll talk about my experiences with the ones I personally own, and examine their accessories and artifacts in-person, and if it’s a doll I don’t own we’ll be looking at the catalogues from 1998-2002, which can safely be considered something of a golden age for the brand. That’s how I experienced several of the dolls, and therefore that’s what I’ll be revisiting

Next, I’ll be taking a look at nonfiction books – each of the original eight girls got a Welcome to [Name]’s World book issued for their era in American history, taking the nonfiction historical context chapters and fleshing them out to give more detail and explain more about how the lives of our girls fit into the story of the country as a whole. These are apparently extremely high-quality for children’s history books, and while I never had them as a child I definitely want them now.

Finally, having finished up books entirely, we move on to crafts and ephemera. Each girl got a paper doll set, and most of them also received a craft book and cook book. There were theater kits for pretend play as well, but I’ll be excluding those for purely practical reasons – they’re often the hardest to find, and I was never interested in that kind of pretend play with these girls.

This will be a long, involved, organized blogging project unlike anything I’ve ever really done before, but I think it will be a rewarding one. These girls are like my sisters, even those with wildly different life experiences than my own. They were a fundamental part of my childhood. They deserve to be remembered and discussed, and this era in my life deserves to be loved.

After all, I, too, was once an American girl.

[snarky-art]

If you’re still taking redesign asks, what about the ballgowns from season 3? Musa’s may slap but the others are kinda all over the place imo

Ngl I love these fits already I think they all slap. I just chose to update them in a way that fits better with my style and rewrite.

Bloom’s is hideous and it’s perfect for her. The only time I’ll happily put her in baby pink and light blue.

Asymmetry is big on Eraklyon and and the main style is what we’d call regency wear with some adjustments. The empire waistline at this point is something alluded to via things like a fabric or cloth strip there but then it extends further down/has a secondary waistline is more on trend. This is present in everyone’s looks except for Bloom’s because it was a dream of hers to wear a dress like this someday for a formal event. However, this look of the single empire waistline is considered more outdated and old and there would be comments and people would notice because Eraklyon sucks and it adds to the “oh god she’s the one Sky wants to be with?” sentiments around the court and especially from Sky’s parents.

Along with the asymmetry and specific waistlines, sparkling bits of cloth in an outfit is very on trend and symbolizes their robust jewel market and wealth gained through this. Jewel tones that are deeply saturated or pastels are the only 2 options too for coloring. Mid tones are not encouraged and more jewel tones on outfits than pastels are expected for the upper class. Pearls are big in fashion rn too.

Also, at this point in my rewrite, Stella is in a bit of a weird place rn with her feelings towards her heritage and her government she’s supposed to be representing, so she’s skipping gems predominantly associated with royalty (the bright oranges and dark blues) and just going turquoise (which is still something Solarian court officials would raise an eyebrow at, but has plausible deniability) rn and is avoiding predominantly traditional Solarian colors, opting to mix silvers and golds more too. She has loose curls too, testing the waters a little for having her curlier natural hair out and present more.

She later champions for purple to be a symbol of unity between her mixed heritage also, which is nice foreshadowing here imo💅

That’s why I got it in her flower dress redesign:)

[phoenix-manga]

Ella Glaciel

CV: Moroboshi Sumire

Biographical Information

Gender: Female

Age: 17

Birthday: September 6

Starsign: Virgo

Height: 165 cm

Eye Color: Mariner

Hair Color: Sea Pink

Professional Status

Dorm: Glastanzerin

School Year: 2nd Year

Class: 2-C | Student no. 12

Occupation: Student | Dorm Leader

Club: Horse Grooming Club

Best Subject: Basic Etiquette | Needlework and Jewelry

Fun Facts

Favorite Food: Cheese Platter

Least Favorite Food: Fish

Dislikes: Too much chores

Hobby: Sewing

Talents: Quick stitching

Idol Stats

Performance: Soft vocals meant for classical songs

Choreography: Displays cute and dainty poses. Also incorporates ballet into her choreography

Styling Jewel Outfits: Classical | Cute

She is incredibly skilled in sewing and even has a fashion brand under her name at DCA. Her family’s clothing apparel is well known in a number of kingdoms. When working, she gets a fiery look in her eyes and will rush to her workspace and make the clothes with the help of magic and some precision with a needle.

Due to her noble upbringing, she carries herself in a lady-like manner. Always keeping her hand folded when she sits, greets with a bow, uses words that are graceful and sweet, and many other things. Which means she is also knowledgeable regarding trends in social circles.

She isn’t really brave nor is she assertive, if faced with someone aggressive she just runs away. And she’s so quick like a mouse that no one can catch up to her. Yelling will cause her to freeze up, it was a habit that never went away after the abuse she suffered under her first stepmother.

Has a skill for marketing, she focuses on what makes the product good and presents it to the client by flattering their style and recommending a set suited for them without offending the person.

Any other topic other than her interests makes her mind blank though, she keeps quiet until the topic is something she knows.

Whenever she changes clothes, she quickly starts with changing stockings as she still feels insecure with her leg scars. She would rather endure the hot weather in stockings rather than show the scars. It sometimes throbs with subtle pain.

Hometown: Glasswork Kingdom

Family Life

Ella spent her early years in a loving embrace of her birth mother and her father. The two often pampered their daughter with plenty of cute gifts and toys but the most treasured gift Ella kept was a jewelry set of baby blue birds made by her mother before she passed. She often gazes upon it to remember her mother.

When her father remarried to Lucille, her life was spent in abuse. Constantly being tormented by her step siblings and getting punished for every little mistake by her step mother. The servants feared Lucille as she would threaten their jobs and flaunting how she has connections that will cause trouble to their families. Until a servant had enough and told the Gaspard of what has been happening while he was away.

Gaspard was ashamed of himself for letting such a terrible woman in to his household to threaten his servants and his precious daughter. He filed for a lawsuit and this was the first time that he wasn’t timid or gentle. His eyes were cold as he stared down the Luciferia family, this was the first time he’s ever felt such anger.

He became protective of Ella and often had background checks on new people he hired and closed himself from any women who he assumed was just aiming for his wealth and title.

Ella slowly recovered but there were still traces of trauma, but she tries her best to be better so she wouldn’t worry her father. She was glad he met another woman who was genuinely caring but she still struggles to open up, yet she hopes to overcome the past to finally be a happy family again.

Childhood Memories

Ella’s memories of her mother are quite few, considering that she was very young when she passed but she wants to keep those memories alive by talking to the servants who worked for her mother, asking her father as well as looking through the photo albums. She feared that forgetting her mother’s memories would be like throwing away a cherished family member.

There was one memory that she always liked to hear about, it was when she was but a toddler in her two’s that she shocked both parents when she dragged some silk onto an unfinished dress and the parents realizing that the color Ella picked looked better. Gaspard always questions how genetically gifted Ella’s talent was for fashion.

During the time where she suffered under the Luciferia family, the fear and trauma was ingrained into her and she would flinch or freeze up if anyone held a stick or something close to that near her. Her father had trusted family doctors, who are sworn to keep the leg scars between them, to look after and help Ella mentally recover.

It took almost a year and a half but Ella was able to act normally again with the help of doctors, though loud yelling and arguments still unnerve her. She can handle herself a bit better.

Ella is a 2nd year Glastanzerin student and is the current dorm leader.

She always admired the story of the Maiden of the Glass Shoe, being sorted into her dream dorm made her so happy. Ella is known in the dorm for her family name as well as skills, she has such a fast and nimble way of sewing using minimal amounts of magic. Not anyone can just replicate her dresses.

She has a lot of commissions in school and every single order has been made with plenty of care and caters to the customer’s taste always.

More often than not, Ella likes to discuss with the dorm students about the latest trends that the girls would keep their ears open whenever Ella gives fashion advice.

There were times that Ella would spend her downtime feeding her mice and other wild animals to unwind. Sometimes even having a tea party consisting of mainly animals, it wasn’t odd to anyone who studies in DCA but to outsiders it may be weird.

The dorm students are quite protective of Ella and will not tolerate any disrespect, Ella has no idea how scary her dorm students get when there is an unpleasant person confronting her.

Ella has quite high grades due to the tutors her father hired. Though her worst subject is PE due to her lack of physical training as well as the fact due to the scars on her legs, she finds it difficult to keep up. She dislikes feeling sweaty after doing exercises, if it was yoga then she’d have no problem however.

School Relationships

Ella gets along with mostly everyone due to her sweet nature and the tendency to provide news on the latest trends. As a noble, she is also decent in academics, her best grades are on dance, music and sewing. PE is her worst subject as she always gets sore after just one class, she also feels uncomfortable when she reeks of sweat from the sun.

Evonie is a big sister figure to her with how she often helps her when she gets anxious or when a confrontation takes place but she was too scared to talk back. She admits that she envies Evonie a little bit with how strong she was along with other girls who aren’t dainty. She wonders if she can be strong like them if she could just get over her fears.

She admires Briar as she has never been face-to-face with a real princess before. Her regal air and beautiful visage prompts her to create inspiring outfits to one day be worn by royalty. Though she can’t help but notice the sorrow in Briar’s eyes which maybe another factor as to why she feels a familiarity with her.

Cerule and Ella’s first meeting has her nearly fainting from excitement at the idea of meeting an actual mermaid. She’s read about them in storybooks but to see one in real life was way better. Cerule thinks Ella is pretty cute like a sea angel. Ella gets a lot of colored pearls and sea glass from Cerule after a dive for treasure.

Perrine won her over when Ella got a whiff of the smell of spices that was cooking in the campus cafeteria. Perrine and Allison’s desserts that are decorated to their tastes would always be a source of new ideas for Ella. She often takes pictures of their food before eating, she eats in small bites to savor the taste.

Bumpkin and Ella get along so well as fans of fashion, though Bumpkin is so adamant about ungodly amounts of glitter. Bumpkin’s form is from Ella’s doll she used to play with in her childhood. It always brought comfort to her during sad days.

Bumpkin acts as a fairy godmother to Ella, always helping her out in her time of need and would fiercely protect her if anyone dares to make her cry.

Mozza

The swiftest mouse who acts as the leader of the group. He does all the talking and negotiating in mouse matters, he is the one who reports to Ella about the latest information and gossip.

Gouda

The food crazy mouse who is the chunkiest of them all. He tends to just lay in one place nibbling on cheese. Often times Ella puts him in her pocket as he snoozes about. He is also quite cowardly, anything that resembles a cat and he freaks out and runs with speed that rivals Mozza’s.

Brie

The pretty mouse who hoards anything shiny like a corvid would. She is the one who assists Ella when she’s sewing the most. A mouse with an eye for detail. She likes riding in Ella’s pockets because dirt makes her fussy.

Parmes

The genius mouse who may seem plain but inside the mouse holes, but he has made layouts for the fastest routes to any place in the building. The inventions are made from lost things such as pins and buttons that are no longer needed among other things.

Pecorin

The youngest mouse of the group, she’s so small that other mice carry her around in a thimble basket made by Parmes. Ella is worried that the poor thing might get squished so she made a fluffy hand bag to carry all five mice in. Pecorin is often found in a dollhouse just enjoying herself.

Dusty

Ella’s horse who is a Rocky Mountain breed. He is friendly and happy-go-lucky, sometimes distracted by shiny things if he sees one in the corner of his eye. He is skilled in doing tricks as well as carrying heavy loads.

Her unique magic is called, “Glacify” this allows her to make anything she wants shimmer like polished glass. No matter what object it is, she can make it shiny. This doesn’t work on living things, though it works on plants oddly.

This magic effect can last until 12 o’ clock, it doesn’t matter if it was AM or PM, and it always disappears when the clock strikes 12.

Ella often uses this to make her fashion presentation pretty but she mostly uses it on the accessories or the lighting mostly. Using it on the dress would be considered cheating in her eyes. Though the process of making the dress uses magic to be quick and efficient.

Gaspard Antoine Glaciel

A soft-hearted, humble man who has a hobby for aromatherapy and indoor gardening. He makes exquisite shoes that the locals sought after. His business was only known in the Glasswork Kingdom until he was finally taking the gamble to set up a shop outside of his home country. He doesn’t take business risks unless he’s convinced that there will be no losses.

He was devastated after his wife passed away, he married Lucille only because of a mutual benefit, and affection wasn’t involved. He thought that she would benefit Ella since she worked as an educator.

He ended up filing a case against her when he found out she was abusing Ella under the guise of “tutoring”. He became more attentive to his daughter after the divorce, but his heart became closed off to any potential bachelorettes for a long time until he met Claudette.

Emellette Glaciel

Ella’s birthmother, an adventurous woman who likes to hunt and go horseback riding. She proposed to Gaspard first, she was always such a bold woman. But Gaspard always loved that about her.

She was known for her beautifully crafted jewelry sets. She and her husband started the business selling their crafts and designs to the people in the kingdom.

She passed away due to an illness when Ella turned 7. Leaving a crafted jewelry set that are based on blue birds for Ella to wear when she turns 18 one day. Ella cherishes this jewelry set the most and makes sure to hide it from Lucille in a secret compartment.

Lucille Luciferia

Ella’s first stepmother who is vain and sought to climb the social ladder by any means necessary. She worked as an educator but was known to be very strict and harsh to students, this includes Ella. Every time Ella did a little thing wrong, she would get hit on the back of her legs with a riding crop. This resulted in Ella getting scars on her legs with how hard she was struck.

She has no shame in wearing jewelry that was owned by Gaspard’s first wife, flaunting it, and being boastful to people whenever they go to gatherings. Pretending to be nice whenever Gaspard was in the house and when he leaves, she drops her façade and torments the servants in the household.

Lucille plays ignorant to her sons’ bullying of Ella, and even tells her that her father won’t believe her if she tries to tattle on them. She ended up being socially disgraced and had to live in her relative’s house along with her sons because she was also fired from the school she works at.

Edwin Luciferia (18)

An egotistic young man who constantly picks on Ella by playing mean pranks as well as destroying her toys and things. He is also narcissistic, he views himself as the best but has an ego as fragile as glass. When someone is better than him or tries to call him out on his bluff, he will retaliate by berating them or even resorting to violence.

He abuses his status as a noble to get what he wants, he is not above spreading false rumors about people who dares to defy him. As such, his classmates avoid him.

He used to have a group of students at his beck and call, they stuck around mostly because of his status and the wealth of his stepfather. But now that his mother was fired, he was left behind by his so-called “loyal followers”. He’s become more aggressive but those who he picked on now gossip about him. To the point where they do it in earshot.

Roman Luciferia (18)

The quiet young man who has a calculating gaze and sharp tongue. His bullying tactics are harsh words he hurls towards Ella. Although the true reason he picks on her was because Edwin doesn’t make him his target now, so his situation is mainly a target directing the negativity onto someone weaker.

However, it doesn’t mean that he isn’t at fault. At school, he was always harsh to those who are below him concerning academics. He thinks of himself as a genius unlike his bonehead brother. But after the divorce of his mother and stepfather, he is struggling to keep up academics now that Edwin is back to targeting him.

Claudette Darlington

Ella’s second stepmother who got married to Gaspard after they fell for each other after being business partners for a while. She works in the tea business, selling an assortment of tea leaves and tea sets. She is a professional in her career but she is also a patient mother. She doesn’t force Ella to trust her since she can tell that the trauma still affects her. She gives Ella her space and time to adjust until she can finally open up to her.

Gaspard at first was professional towards Claudette, slowly she starts to notice how stressed he was an offered some tea to help him. She respected their professional relationship and has heard of the incident that took place years before.

The first time she met Ella was when he had her over to discuss business, she was cautious and took note on her movements so as not to startle the poor child. Ella warmed up to Claudette when she asked about her mother.

She didn’t expect Gaspard to propose to her but at first she told him to talk this out with Ella because her opinion should also be considered.

The character's name, "Ella" is obviously based on Cinderella, with the live action movie revealing that "Ella" is her real name but she was called, "Cinderella" as a form of insult.

Ella's backstory was made with new ideas that came to mind, to give more personality to her.

[nickgerlich]

Baby, Baby

Ours is a consumption-driven economy. About 70% of our GDP is accounted for by the things we buy. As long as we keep buying everything should be fine, right?

Well, it would be nice if it worked out that way, but all is not well in the world’s largest economies. Among the 38 member countries in the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), the birth rate is now just 1.5 children per woman, which is down from 3.3 in 1960. Given that each woman needs to have, on average, 2.1 children for us to statistically replace ourselves as a population, we’re in for problems in the years ahead.And the implications for marketers are huge.

While these stats are for only those 38 nations, there is another forecast. By 2064, if trends continue, the global death rate will surpass the global birth rate. If you were worried about the population explosion in the last 125 years, from 1.6 billion in 1900 to about 8 billion today, your worries may very well be allayed.

The effects will be felt up and down the economy. Fewer infant cribs, clothes, formula, and everything else that the little ones need will decline. This ripples through the entirety of life then, with fewer people simply consuming fewer products.

If you have noticed your local school district shrinking, this is among the possible causes. In academia, we are bracing ourselves for a demographic cliff in a couple of years, because it was around 2010 that US births dipped below 4 million a year. Now that those kids are nearing college age, the shrinking pool of possible applicants has universities nervous.

It also means that the costs of social safety nets will fall increasingly on the young, because those systems are set up to tax people while they are working, all the while paying out benefits to the retired. It is by design a bankrupt system, but when the ratio of people of working age to retirees slips from 6:1 to 2:1, there are going to be problems. That is predicted to happen in 2035, five years after I plan to start drawing on my Social Security. And I am not going to take a reduction in benefits sitting down.

The world’s most prosperous countries, though, are still able to post population increases, by virtue of immigration. For example, in the US last year, births outnumbered deaths by 3,591,328 to 2,854,838, or about 737,000. But 878,000 people also immigrated, producing a net growth of 1.6 million.

Pheeewwwww. But we’re not out of the woods yet, and may never be, unless we start having bigger families.

Which, of course, raises the $64,000 question: Why aren’t women having more babies? It’s complicated. A combination of expenses, lifestyle, delayed marriage (or none at all), economic uncertainties, and workforce participation are conspiring to change our economy.

For example, female workforce participation in the US was only 34% in 1950. It rose to 38% in 1960, followed by 43% in 1970, 52% in 1980, 58% in 1990, and 60% in 2000. While it has dipped since that peak in 2000, it now stands at 57.3%. I am pretty sure that all the expenses of working outside the home, such as transportation, wardrobe, meals, and so forth, outweigh the expenses of raising a child.

When viewed from a safe distance, the dip in fertility is alarming, but I am not sure how to solve it. Societal changes that allowed women to enter the workforce have produced great gains in equality, although we still have a way to go. To send women back to the home to be Moms and homemakers doesn’t seem like a whole lot of progress, one particular sage footballer’s comments notwithstanding.

And the 38 member nations of the OECD can only continue to grow by virtue of immigration for so long, because those developing nations are also starting down the slippery slope of low fertility. We have effectively been outsourcing births, but that is not a sustainable model.

While we still have time on our side to make a correction, we can also watch other nations in far more dire straits to see how they handle the problem. Japan, for example, now has a birth rate of only 1.2 children per woman. They face a cataclysmic effect if this does not change soon.

Meanwhile, the marketer in me is also watching how companies adapt to the new dynamics. Our numbers are safe for a little while, as long as we seniors live healthily, but we will eventually die, leaving our heirs—an increasingly smaller cohort—to pick up the pieces.

And since I suspect all of my students, even graduate students, are many years younger than me, it means the burden is falling upon you.

Dr “It’s Not Looking Good” Gerlich

Audio Blog

[daniigrimm-blog]

Yeah Boy & Doll Face, this is Bulletproof Love so Throw a Match into Water cos Today I Saw The Whole World and it's The Jaws of Life

Pierce the Veil did the walk of shame out of a tour with All Time Low in 2017 and that same year announced that drummer Mike Fuentes would be leaving the band; they cited that they wanted a safe feeling environment for their younger fanbase and honestly in the six or so years that the two girls that came forward with receipts and allegations really nothing has been done and that is a shame. A couple to a few years ago (not sure on exact date) they did a quarantine video featuring the drummer however and they have yet to remove his image from their Epic Win playlist but I do digress, it does seem the band has been trying to turn over a new leaf and move on sans Mike Fuentes.

That being said, let's do a deep delve into what exactly has been up with Pierce the Veil--active members are now Victor Fuentes (guitar), Tony Perry (Lead Guitar), and Jaime Preciado (Bass).

So what have these guys been up to the last decade?! Well it seems they were busy growing and having families. That's right ladies, sorry to say--these three starling studs are currently off the market. Sad, I know, but that's not why we're fucking here. We are here for the music. I did think that it was very sweet that Vic, Jaime, AND Tony settled down with seemingly the loves of their lives and that Danielle, Vic's wife, recently gave birth to their first baby Violet Valentine Fuentes! I'm excited for them and their newest adventure together as new parents. As a parent myself I wish nothing but the very best for them and as someone who can no longer make these cute little babies, I am certainly excited for whatever pics they have to share.

Now let's talk music.

Where were you on February 10th, 2023 when The Jaws of Life dropped? i was in my room, I know rather anticlimactic but, I am always in my room. Introversion aside, I remember putting on my headphones and gearing up to rock out to PTV's newest jams and my god was I not disappointed.

In an interview for Blabbermouth.net Fuentes says: "This album has truly brought us closer than we've ever been. It was extremely difficult for us to be off the road and apart for so long. We've never missed anything more than playing music together and never had such an strong appreciation for recording, touring, and simply being in the same room together than we do now. 'The Jaws Of Life' is about how life can sink its teeth into you and try to devour you. The negativity in the world and within your mind can be a vicious thing. We're extremely grateful for this record, our fans, and the opportunity to play live music again."

The first single release from the new album, was Pass the Nirvana--let's start here. Clowncore visuals aside (I am deathly afraid of clowns!) I'd say the music video takes me right back to a 90s grunge era when I was a stinky teenager watching TRL on my couch. Flash warning, for the sensitive.

“‘Pass the Nirvana’ is about the many horrible traumas that the youth of America have endured over the past few years. COVID, no proms, no graduations, an insurrection, school shootings. The list goes on. Their lives have been tossed around like clothes in a dryer, as the tensions within our country have infiltrated our own homes, friends, and families. To me, the song represents a euphoric detachment from all of that anxiety and stress and about finding some form of peace or nirvana.”

That tracks. The grungy guitar riffs and metaphorical lyrics really tie this track together in a pretty plaid bow. There were a lot of things this year that made me question what year it was, but I'd relive the 90s again as adult this time--why not? could be fun, some of the trends were neat.

The second single on the album is throwing the same vibes; albeit the song is different in many ways as the first single. For instance, both are desperate situations with meaningful lyrics. Both have underlying 90s grunge rock vibes. But Emergency Contact is essentially about a pair of lovers; one is ready to move their relationship further and is frustrated with the other who is still unsure if they should. Vic Fuentes tells you the meaning in his own words here. It's a lovely melody that I think is comparable to their collide with the sky style. Which was also very nice to hear again.

Now that brings me to their third single off their Fifth album (Fearless Records) , The Jaws of Life, Even When I'm Not With You. This is my FAVORITE out of the three singles so far, but I am as HUGE sucker for a good rock ballad.

“This song was inspired by a text my manager sent me while I was going through a rough time. I thanked her for being there for me, and she said, ‘Even when I’m not with you, I’m still with you.’ That phrase touched my heart and inspired me to write a love song dedicated to my wife about no matter how far away I am on tour, I’m still devoted to her, and we will always be connected through our love.”

The lyrics are sweet, the looping riff is melodic and wonderful and I 100% love this track. Favorite track on the album? No, sorry--but definitely my favorite listed of the three singles. If you hate Gold Medal Ribbon or the vibes thrown on Misadventures then I don't want to hear anything you have to say. Your opinion is sadly invalid here on my blog, move along.

How many tracks are on The Jaws of Life? 12.

So we've already been over tracks 2-4, no need to readdress those. Let's go back to the Death Of An Executioner.

“The visual of this song, to me, is a car that’s following you—like the video for ‘Karma Police’ by Radiohead. It’s got its headlights on your back, and it’s just kind of slowly creeping on you. To me, it represents social media and people expecting perfection out of you and always waiting for you to make a mistake so they can run you down and destroy you. I like the title ‘Death of an Executioner’ because it describes killing the person who’s trying to kill you.”

Hello Alt Rock/Rock Electronica Radiohead influences! YES, I am HERE for it 100%. The harmonizing laid over vocals just work. And the filter effect over Fuentes' voice is mesmerizing. Kinda partial to the repeating of "blood red moonlight" as a good scene setter too--just GREAT imagery here. Plus, have you listened to it yet? You should--the song goes really hard.

Flawless Execution. It's the fifth track. on the fifth album.

“This one’s kind of hard to describe. I feel like it’s about people blurring the lines between love and sex and vice versa. It’s almost about when you’re OK with being used because you want to be close to the person so badly. You want love so badly that you’re actually OK with being used or abused, kind of like the Bill Withers song ‘Use Me.’ So, it’s about those extremes that we go to just to be validated. If you’re always desiring someone’s approval, it can go to some toxic places.”

"I'll scar you with my flawless execution every time." This. is actually one song that really caught my ear the first time I heard it. Man what a smooth earworm it really is! And that chorus really hooks you. Not sure what that says about me, now knowing the meaning of the song (fuck it I already kinda knew what it implied), nah--it really doesn't change my mind. This song slaps. It's definitely one to put on and really enjoy.

So far, I really think that consistently this band has grown with each album release and that really says something. Personally, their Dance Gavin Dance/Myspace screamcore on A Flair for the Dramatic wasn't my favorite (I know Ill get hate for that) but they were still growing as people and as a band. After doing infinite amount of touring and getting to know other musicians/bands they did some dabbling and grew into Selfish Machines--Besitos really hooked me. And it just got better from there my dudes! Hold the freaking phone! When Collide With The Sky and new doors and opportunities were opening for them--that was it for me. I was a fan. Misadventures , which won album of the year in 2017 circulated so many times on my playlist that I lost count. And then--radio silence. Man, when the allegations dropped I was heartbroken.

For a long time I did not support a band that I loved because of one person doing a misdeed and that was not fair. Not fair to the people who weren't involved, and not fair to me personally because of what their art does for me. When they finally addressed things and booted that rootie tootie from the band, I almost threw confetti into the air! They did the right thing, for those girls, for the fandom, and for the band. Now, they could begin to grow--and GROW THEY DID.

It took just short of a decade but we finally got NEW Pierce the Veil, and man am I just so happy with what they have given us. That finally brings me to the title track, The Jaws of Life.

“It’s about trying to get released from life’s grip and finding your way. There’s a line in it where I say I’m having the time of my life rotting in the sun, inside the jaws of life. It’s trying to be OK with where you are and starting to feel happy again—I’m making my way, and I know that I can see some light. There’s a lot of ’90s influence in this song musically, which I’m super stoked on. The verse feels like Tripping Daisy or Superdrag—I was thinking about their song ‘Sucked Out’ a lot when I was writing this one.”

That is super befitting because so far I can hear all the 90s undertones and influences from track 1 to the title track. Superdrag, Tripping Daisy, Smashing Pumpkins, Radiohead, Bush, Soundgarden, and a little Nirvana. These are great fucking influences to have and man, I love that they are just spinning them into their own modern grunge pop and I am here for it. As a fan of many different types of rock and pop I have to say this is taken and done--and it is done well. Kudos to production and underlying bts workers/musicians that put their time and effort into this. This album is fully flushed out, very well produced, and thematic from track one to track twelve. Just pure perfection.

This is what went into the Production of PTV's fifth studio album.

The seventh track on the album is quite possibly my favorite. It's consistently stuck in my head no matter what I do to get it out but I'm not even really trying at this point--it's too good. It can take up rent free space in my head for as long as it possibly desires to--because jesus fuck it is glorious! It's called Damn The Man, Save The Empire.

“I’ve been trying to use this title for years, but it’s never felt right until now. It’s a quote from one of my favorite movies, Empire Records. Lyrically, it’s about how no one can really know who you are until they’ve really spent some time with you. I feel that way sometimes when people follow our band on social media and think they have me pegged, but you’re seeing what I want you to see, not who I fully am. So, it’s just reminding people about that superficial experience.”

Instrumentally this combines grungey hard guitars with dreamy vocals that portray that same kind of dreamy vibe that social media gives you with a filter on it. "No one like us anyway..." is another relatable vibe but im starting to get that not everyone is built to be an extrovert and you only live one life--so why spend it trying to please people that don't like you when they don't matter? Great song. Even better message.

Track 8 is called Resilience.

“With this song, I had this vision of that classic scene in the movies when the hand pops out of the dirt after they’ve been buried alive, and the person starts pulling their body up to the surface. It’s like when you’re digging your way out of this hole, and your eyes finally see the sun and they adjust. Also, one of my most proud moments on this record is that we got to use a quote from Dazed and Confused to start the song. We actually had to have the actors approve that. It was such a win for the album.”

It starts off with a familiar scene from a movie most of us grew up with. I don't know about the children today, but I don't really care. It's a cult classic and Idgaf what the kids younger than me have to say about it really. The acoustic guitar is melodic and almost waltz like, and vic's crooning swoony voice wraps this song up nicely. "It's odd that I-keep runnin into spiderwebs, runnin into spiderwebs at night." was a really neat lyric I picked up on in that song. Very neat visuals.

Track 9 is called Irrational Fears . It's a 20 second interlude of an air flight assistant talking over an intercom. I don't really have much to say about this.

Vic said this:

“This is an interlude that sets up the next song. It was inspired by that first scene in the movie Garden State, with Zach Braff, where he’s on a plane that’s going down and everyone is freaking out around him, but he’s perfectly calm. We wanted to set the scene with this British flight attendant being all chipper but saying really dark things. Jaime made the music, and then my friend who’s a voice actor recorded the voiceover in London. It was a fun challenge, and I’m really proud of how it came out.”

Track 10 is called Shared Trauma and it's vapidly becoming one of my favorite PTV tracks. I guess personally, it touches very close to home. My family hasn't had the easiest life up until now, we have a lot of shared trauma but it's made us closer because of it--and it's certainly helped us grow knowing that.

“The title kind of speaks for itself. I’ve always felt that shared trauma and going through a traumatic experience with somebody can be one of the strongest bonds in human existence. Knowing that you’ve both been through something together will always connect you in such a powerful way. I think that’s beautiful—it’s the good that can come out of the bad. Musically, it was very much a collaborative band effort that came out of this loopy analog beat that Jaime sent me. It was really fun to write.”

So Far, So Fake starts off with couple of slow arpeggios that set the mood for the song which is cut into like a knife by Vic's sharp vocals to form a smooth even climb through the rest of the melody. The chorus is catchy, man, and does it stick if you let it. It's a hit. 100%. If they were to make another music video off this album, I would get in line to watch this one (but who are we kidding? I would get in line to watch any videos they decided to make as long as Mike isn't in them.)

“This song was written in 2017, so we’ve had it for a long time. It was one of the only ones that made it from some of the first writing sessions we did before the pandemic. It’s about if you’ve ever been betrayed by somebody you felt was a friend, and the wound never really mended—where even an apology doesn’t feel like it’s enough. It feels like it can never really be resolved. So, it’s a bit angry, a bit sour, a bit difficult to think about. But I always want to write about things that are affecting my life.”

I do recall a time where Vic had mentioned he was cheated on by someone who wasn't exactly exclusive with him? I don't remember the interview exactly but I do remember hearing it. Maybe that applies here. Maybe and I'm not saying this to start anything--it hits even closer to home and it's about Mike and what he did. They are family, and the band did lose out on a member. I imagine that would affect everyone very deeply and there would be wound that needed healing. I'm glad though, whatever the case, that Vic was able to get this out--it seemed he needed to. Music can be very therapeutic. Not just to us but to the artists who create it especially.

The final track on the album is called 12 Fractures and it is a lovely duet between Victor and an artist named Chloe Moriondo. She/They have never come up on my radar before but some how are an active member on the emo scene. She's/They've hung out with everyone from the likes of All Time Low, and Simple Plan, and now to Pierce the Veil and I love her/them for it. And can I just say that Her/Their voice is just wonderful. It's safe to say, I love this song.

Shout out to all the legal smokers of medicinal 420. I cannot wait til they federally legalize. We just need to move forward as a society but I digress, "Oh thank god for THC" is one lyric grab I loved from this song but it's just one. And it makes it all that more relatable.

“The song was called ‘12 Fractures’ before it became the 12th song on the album. We didn’t plan it like that. I’m glad it worked out that way, but it also makes things confusing. I’m actually looking at our vinyl right now to make sure it doesn’t just say ‘Fractures.’ But this one came from a deeply personal story about a friend of mine who went through a divorce. I watched two of my favorite people in the world just fall apart. When friends break apart like that, it’s like losing a family member. It’s super difficult, even as a bystander. It was cool to get Chloe on the song to bring the story to life. I’m a big fan of hers, and I think she did an amazing job.”

Now that I heard her/them on this song I will certainly be looking into her music because to be quite frank I just hadn't heard of her. I do love getting new music on my radar all the time though and this is usually how I find it. Artist collabs are SO so good for expanding the playlist repertoire-just trust me.

Did this convince you to go get The Jaws of Life and give it a listen? I sure hope so. It's fucking amazing on many levels. They did grow, they did change, and what they created is something I'll be blasting on my playlists for the next few years--but hey, let's maybe not make us wait another decade for new tunes next time guys? Pretty please?

Thanks.

D. Grimm

Sources:

here

here

here

here

here

here

here

here

here

here

here

here

here

here

Some may not be linked because of space in the post my apologies, they can be found with a simple google search.

[giftsforus]

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[crybaby-writings]

"kids these days are asking for skincare and this and that and the third, when i was their age (9 to 11) i was asking for toys!"

no the fuck you weren't. you were asking for electronics, and skincare, and clothes you probably had no business wearing, and literally anything that was on trend or that you saw a commercial for- which was mostly shit that kids ages 9-11 would be considered as having no business having.

almost every single one of you are lying so you don't get bullied by strangers on the internet for saying something other than what everyone is complaining about. the reason you, as an adult, are buying random kids toys for yourself now is because you grew up too fast and now you regret it (no judgement there, me too!) but let's not pretend that the reason isn't exactly the same.

most kids ages 9 to 11 are aging out of toys anyways because there are barely any marketed towards them AND they're getting closer and closer to middle school, which means most toys are considered baby-ish by their peers because WE, as adults, expect children to mature and grow out of things like toys as they get older.

stop acting like this is not history repeating itself, because that's what it is. it's how life works. kids grow up. kids ask for things they don't need or aren't necessarily meant for them. and news flash, babes, if the brand has a line catered towards children in LITERALLY any way, including sizes, formulas or designs, it's age appropriate for children to ask for it- and yes that includes perfume, makeup (within reason based on what THEIR PARENTS determine), and skincare.

"but but but! they're asking for drunk elephant!" most people in their TWENTIES don't even actually need most of the drunk elephant products they buy and use because the ingredients aren't necessary for skin that young/unaged- and that's based off multiple informational videos from actual, medical dermatologist i've seen. get over it. the outlier is not the majority.

that's all. i've said my piece. im done being mad about it now.

[heybeedesigns]

[michelbrown01]

India’s Best Luxury Clothing Brands Revealed

India's love for luxury fashion is growing by leaps and bounds. With a blend of international flair and homegrown elegance, luxury clothing brands are redefining style and setting new benchmarks in fashion. Whether you’re seeking exquisite ethnic wear, premium kidswear, or cutting-edge designer clothing, India offers an unparalleled range of options to indulge in. Here's everything you need to know about luxury clothing brands in India and how they cater to every fashion enthusiast.

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Little Tags Luxury: A favorite for luxury kidswear in India.

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Tarun Tahiliani: Perfect for ethnic and fusion wear.

Conclusion

India’s luxury clothing market offers a harmonious blend of traditional and contemporary styles. Whether you're exploring international brands in India or supporting homegrown luxury Indian clothing brands, there’s something for everyone. The ease of best online dress shopping has further made these premium pieces accessible to a larger audience.

So, go ahead and shop designer clothing that resonates with your personality. Elevate your wardrobe with timeless pieces from the best luxury brands and enjoy a touch of elegance in your everyday life.

[kidzcorneruk]

A Guide to Finding the Best Clothes Wholesalers for Newborn Wholesale Clothing

When it comes to purchasing bulk clothing for your retail store, partnering with reliable clothes wholesalers is essential. For businesses specialising in babywear, sourcing high-quality newborn wholesale clothing can make a significant difference in customer satisfaction and your bottom line. This article explores how to find reputable clothes wholesalers and what to consider when choosing newborn wholesale clothing to stock in your store.

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Understanding the Market for Newborn Wholesale Clothing

The newborn clothing market is unique due to its focus on comfort, safety, and style. Parents are highly selective when shopping for their newborns, prioritizing soft, hypoallergenic fabrics and functional designs. As a retailer, choosing the right newborn wholesale clothing can set your store apart from competitors.

What Makes Newborn Wholesale Clothing Unique?

Fabric Quality: Newborn skin is delicate, requiring fabrics like organic cotton or bamboo that are gentle and breathable.

Safety Standards: Clothes for newborns must adhere to safety regulations, such as avoiding small detachable parts that could pose choking hazards.

Ease of Use: Features like snap buttons, elastic waistbands, and envelope necklines are popular among parents for their practicality.

Aesthetic Appeal: Modern parents seek stylish yet comfortable clothing for their babies, often gravitating toward neutral or pastel tones and minimalist designs.

Tips for Choosing the Best Clothes Wholesalers for Newborn Clothing

To succeed in the competitive babywear market, you need a reliable wholesaler. Here are some tips to ensure you select the best partner:

1. Research and Compare Options

Start by researching multiple clothes wholesalers. Look for reviews, ratings, and testimonials from other retailers to gauge their reliability. Make a shortlist of wholesalers that specialize in newborn wholesale clothing.

2. Verify Product Quality

Request samples from your shortlisted wholesalers to inspect the fabric, stitching, and overall quality. High-quality newborn clothing will reflect positively on your store’s reputation.

3. Check for Compliance with Safety Standards

Ensure the wholesaler complies with relevant safety and quality standards. Certifications like OEKO-TEX or GOTS (Global Organic Textile Standard) indicate safe and eco-friendly production practices.

4. Assess Pricing and Order Flexibility

Compare pricing structures to determine which wholesaler offers the best value for money. Additionally, inquire about order minimums and their flexibility to accommodate small or growing businesses.

5. Evaluate Delivery and Logistics

Timely delivery is crucial for maintaining inventory levels. Choose a wholesaler with a proven track record of prompt and reliable shipping. Consider additional factors such as shipping costs and return policies.

6. Build a Long-Term Relationship

Forming a long-term partnership with a trusted wholesaler can lead to better pricing, exclusive product access, and consistent supply.

Top Trends in Newborn Wholesale Clothing

Understanding current trends can help you make informed purchasing decisions. Here are some popular trends in the newborn clothing market:

Eco-Friendly Materials: Sustainable fabrics like organic cotton and bamboo are increasingly in demand among eco-conscious parents.

Gender-Neutral Designs: Many parents prefer gender-neutral clothing in soft tones such as beige, white, and gray.

Matching Sets: Coordinated outfits for newborns, such as matching tops and bottoms, are highly sought after.

Personalized Clothing: Items with customizable features, such as embroidered names or initials, are growing in popularity.

Seasonal Themes: Seasonal collections—like winter onesies or summer rompers—offer an opportunity to attract repeat customers.

Benefits of Stocking Newborn Wholesale Clothing

Retailers who specialize in newborn clothing enjoy several advantages, including:

Steady Demand: The newborn clothing market remains strong, as parents consistently seek quality apparel for their babies.

High Profit Margins: Premium newborn clothing often allows for higher markups compared to adult clothing.

Customer Loyalty: Satisfied parents are likely to become repeat customers and recommend your store to others.

Where to Find Reputable Clothes Wholesalers

Finding the right wholesaler requires diligence. Here are some options to consider:

Trade Shows: Events like the Pure London or Bubble London showcase a variety of wholesale suppliers, including those specializing in babywear.

Online Wholesale Platforms: Websites like Alibaba, Faire, or Tradekey offer a wide range of newborn wholesale clothing options.

Local Suppliers: Partnering with nearby clothes wholesalers can reduce shipping costs and lead times.

Networking: Connect with other retailers to exchange recommendations for trusted wholesalers.

Conclusion

Partnering with the right clothes wholesalers is essential for building a successful retail business specialising in newborn wholesale clothing. By prioritising quality, safety, and customer preferences, you can ensure your store meets the demands of modern parents. Take the time to research, compare, and establish a strong relationship with your chosen wholesaler, and you’ll be well on your way to thriving in this rewarding market.

[industrynewsupdates]

A Comprehensive Guide to Growing Eco Fiber Market

The global eco fiber market size is expected to reach USD 77.17 billion by 2030, expanding at a CAGR of 7.6% from 2023 to 2030, according to a new report by Grand View Research, Inc. The growth is attributed to the rise in concern regarding the harmful environmental impacts of using synthetic fibers, which has been the major factor contributing to the increased demand for organic eco fiber for the past few years.

The increasing dependence on chemicals and pesticides to increase crop production has led to the mass degradation of the environment. This, in turn, has prompted governments and other regulatory bodies to follow numerous regulations. These regulations have been imposed on the manufacturing as well as disposal of synthetic sources of fiber production. This trend has further led to a shift in preference toward bio-based alternatives such as organic cotton, hemp, and other sources of eco fibers.

Eco fibers are also rapidly gaining popularity in designer garments and apparel. Continuous advancement in terms of the development of eco fiber textiles offering antimicrobial, hypoallergenic, insulating, UV resistant, highly breathable, and absorbent characteristics are expected to promote the importance of eco fibers in the clothing market over the forecast period.

Organic eco fibers is anticipated to witness the fastest growth rate across the forecast period. Organic cotton is gaining increasing popularity owing to its exceptional benefits such as the elimination of risks for chemical impact on human beings and surroundings and more premiums for the farmers. Additionally, organic cotton ensures health care and food security by providing contamination-free food.

Gather more insights about the market drivers, restrains and growth of the Eco Fiber Market

Eco Fiber Market Report Highlights

• Regenerated fibers product segment of eco fiber market is expected to expand at a CAGR of 7.4% over the forecast period. The product is an integral part of Man-made fibers and is produced artificially by using either proteins or cellulose. Soy, corn, peanuts, and milk are some of the commonly used proteins in the production of regenerated fibers, commonly known as Azlons. Regenerated fibers made from cellulose comprise rayon and viscose. The rapidly growing medical textiles industry in India and China is expected to create ample growth opportunities for the product in the market.

• Medical textile application segment in eco fiber market accounted for revenue of USD 8.06 billion in 2022. The industry is one of the significant consumers of the eco fiber market. In medical textile application, eco fibers find application in baby diapers, incontinence products, sanitary napkins, surgical sutures, surgical dressing, artificial implants, and disposables. Technological advancements in medical & healthcare sector have resulted in increased use of medical textiles (as nanofibers) in wound healing, bone regeneration, and drug delivery applications.

• Central & South America eco fiber market is expected to grow at a CAGR of 8.3% in the forecast period owing to the growing textile industry in the region. The availability of raw materials, such as cotton and polyester, coupled with the presence of textile manufacturing units in the region has made Central & South America one of the largest producers of textiles including apparels. Additionally, free trade agreements, abundant availability of raw materials, upcoming events including sports & carnivals, and government initiatives to promote the textile industry are some of the key factors anticipated to drive market growth in the region over the forecast period.

• The eco fiber industry is highly fragmented in nature owing to rising awareness regarding products in fashion, industrial, and household applications. Industry participants are taking advantage of low-cost feed stock availability in India to compete with competitors in China and Middle East. However, despite the obstacles, new entrants are expected to increase spending on developing new products focusing towards eco-friendly smart textiles.

Browse through Grand View Research's Advanced Interior Materials Industry Research Reports.

• The global pre-engineered building market size is expected to reach USD 16.92 billion in 2024 and is expected to grow at a CAGR of 11.6% from 2025 to 2030. 

• The global specialty printing consumables market size was valued at USD 39.70 billion in 2024 and is expected to grow at a CAGR of 3.2% from 2025 to 2030. 

Eco Fiber Market Segmentation

Grand View Research has segmented the global eco fiber market report based on product, application, and region:

Eco Fiber Product Outlook (Volume, Kilotons; Revenue, USD Million, 2018 - 2030)

• Organic

• Manmade/Regenerated

• Recycled

• Natural

Eco Fiber Application Outlook (Volume, Kilotons; Revenue, USD Million, 2018 - 2030)

• Textiles/Apparel

• Industrial

• Medical

• Household & Furnishing

• Others

Eco Fiber Regional Outlook (Volume, Kilotons; Revenue, USD Million, 2018 - 2030)

• North America

o U.S.

o Canada

o Mexico

• Europe

o U.K.

o Germany

o France

o Italy

• Asia Pacific

o China

o India

o Japan

• Central & South America

o Brazil

• Middle East & Africa

o Saudi Arabia

Order a free sample PDF of the Eco Fiber Market Intelligence Study, published by Grand View Research.

[philomathresearch]

Building Customer Loyalty During Thanksgiving: Leveraging Primary Market Research to Shape Retention Tactics

Thanksgiving marks the beginning of the holiday season, a time when customers are in full shopping mode, driven by seasonal deals, gifting traditions, and festive vibes. For businesses, this season is not just an opportunity to boost sales but also a chance to build lasting customer loyalty. By leveraging primary market research, businesses can shape effective retention strategies, ensuring customers keep coming back long after the holiday rush.

In this comprehensive guide, we’ll explore how primary market research helps businesses understand customer behavior during Thanksgiving, identify actionable loyalty-building tactics, and implement data-driven strategies that foster long-term customer relationships.

Understanding the Thanksgiving Consumer Landscape

Thanksgiving shopping behavior is shaped by several factors, such as:

Discount-Seeking Trends: Many customers wait for Thanksgiving sales like Black Friday or Cyber Monday to make significant purchases.

Emotional Purchases: Customers are often influenced by the festive mood and focus on family-oriented gifting.

Time Sensitivity: With limited-time offers dominating the season, customers make quick purchase decisions.

Omnichannel Preferences: Shoppers seamlessly transition between online and offline platforms to compare prices and explore options.

Primary market research is the key to understanding these trends at a granular level. By gathering first-hand insights through surveys, focus groups, and interviews, businesses can anticipate customer expectations and design targeted loyalty strategies.

The Role of Primary Market Research in Customer Loyalty

Primary market research provides direct feedback from customers, offering unmatched clarity about their preferences, pain points, and expectations. Here’s how it contributes to loyalty-building efforts:

1. Identifying Customer Preferences

Understanding what customers value during Thanksgiving is crucial for personalized experiences.

Surveys and Polls: Ask questions about preferred products, desired discounts, and gifting habits.

Focus Groups: Analyze feedback to design tailored offerings.

Example: A clothing retailer can use survey insights to identify popular holiday trends and create curated collections.

2. Segmenting the Audience

Customers are diverse, and a one-size-fits-all strategy often falls short. Segmentation based on demographic, geographic, and psychographic data can help businesses:

Design targeted promotions.

Develop loyalty programs catering to specific groups.

Example: Millennials might prefer online deals, while Baby Boomers might value in-store discounts.

3. Evaluating Brand Perception

Thanksgiving is an ideal time to measure customer sentiment toward your brand.

Brand Awareness Studies: Understand how customers perceive your offerings compared to competitors.

Net Promoter Score (NPS): Gauge the likelihood of customers recommending your brand to others.

Proven Tactics for Building Customer Loyalty During Thanksgiving

1. Personalize the Experience

Customers appreciate brands that understand their needs.

Use CRM data to send personalized emails with Thanksgiving-themed promotions.

Offer customized discounts based on purchase history.

Research-Backed Insight: According to primary market research, 76% of customers are more likely to purchase from brands that personalize their communication.

2. Launch Exclusive Loyalty Programs

Thanksgiving is the perfect time to introduce or enhance loyalty programs.

Offer double reward points for holiday purchases.

Provide early access to Black Friday deals for loyalty members.

Example: A grocery store can reward frequent shoppers with Thanksgiving meal kits.

3. Emphasize Emotional Connection

Thanksgiving is about gratitude, and customers resonate with brands that express genuine appreciation.

Send thank-you notes or holiday greetings to loyal customers.

Donate a portion of sales to charity, emphasizing shared values.

Tip: Primary market research can help identify causes that align with your customer base.

4. Optimize Customer Service

During the holiday rush, customers value prompt and efficient support.

Train staff to handle high volumes with empathy and efficiency.

Use chatbots for instant query resolution.

Case Study: A primary market research survey for a retail chain revealed that 82% of customers would remain loyal to brands with exceptional holiday customer service.

5. Create Omnichannel Engagement

Ensure a seamless shopping experience across all channels.

Offer in-store pickup for online orders.

Integrate holiday deals on mobile apps and social media.

Insight: Research shows that customers engaging with multiple channels exhibit 30% higher lifetime value.

Shaping Retention Tactics with Primary Market Research

1. Measure Post-Holiday Satisfaction

Conduct follow-up surveys after Thanksgiving to:

Assess customer satisfaction with holiday offerings.

Identify areas of improvement for future seasons.

Example Questions:

“Did our Thanksgiving promotions meet your expectations?”

“What could we improve for your next holiday shopping experience?”

2. Analyze Purchase Behavior

Examine sales data to understand:

Popular products and services during Thanksgiving.

Customer retention rates post-holiday season.

3. Test Marketing Campaigns

Use A/B testing to determine the effectiveness of Thanksgiving campaigns.

Compare engagement rates between different offers.

Evaluate which messaging resonates most with your audience.

The Benefits of Customer Loyalty Beyond Thanksgiving

Building loyalty during Thanksgiving has a ripple effect on long-term retention. Loyal customers are:

More Likely to Return: Satisfied customers will come back for other seasonal promotions.

Advocates for Your Brand: They will recommend your brand to friends and family.

Less Price Sensitive: They prioritize your brand over competitors, even without discounts.

Primary Market Research Insight: A study conducted by Philomath Research found that 68% of loyal customers are willing to pay a premium for trusted brands.

Why Partner with Philomath Research?

At Philomath Research, we specialize in primary market research that delivers actionable insights. Our expertise helps businesses:

Decode customer expectations.

Design loyalty programs that resonate.

Create data-driven strategies for sustained success.

With Thanksgiving fast approaching, now is the time to invest in understanding your customers. Reach out to us to learn how we can help you shape effective retention tactics and maximize your holiday success.

Conclusion

Thanksgiving presents an unmatched opportunity for businesses to build and reinforce customer loyalty. By leveraging primary market research, businesses can uncover deep insights into customer preferences, optimize their offerings, and create meaningful connections that extend beyond the holiday season.

The holiday season is more than just a sales opportunity—it’s a chance to show gratitude, foster trust, and lay the foundation for lasting customer relationships. With the right research and strategies, your brand can make this Thanksgiving unforgettable for your customers and your bottom line.

Contact Philomath Research today to turn your Thanksgiving insights into actionable customer loyalty strategies!

FAQs

1. What is primary market research, and how does it help with customer loyalty?

Primary market research involves collecting direct feedback from customers through surveys, interviews, focus groups, or observations. It helps businesses understand customer preferences, behavior, and expectations, which are crucial for crafting personalized strategies that enhance customer loyalty during Thanksgiving and beyond.

2. Why is Thanksgiving an important time for businesses to focus on customer loyalty?

Thanksgiving kicks off the holiday season, a peak shopping period with high customer engagement. Focusing on loyalty during this time allows businesses to retain customers long after the holiday season, ensuring repeat purchases and stronger brand relationships.

3. What are some common Thanksgiving shopping behaviors businesses should know?

Key Thanksgiving shopping behaviors include:

Discount-Seeking: Customers often wait for Black Friday and Cyber Monday deals.

Emotional Buying: Festive vibes influence gifting and family-oriented purchases.

Omnichannel Shopping: Shoppers frequently switch between online and offline channels.

4. How can primary market research help businesses personalize customer experiences?

Primary market research helps businesses gather data on customer preferences and shopping habits. This enables them to:

Tailor email campaigns with personalized discounts.

Curate product recommendations based on past purchases.

Design exclusive offers that resonate with specific customer segments.

5. What role does customer segmentation play in loyalty-building during Thanksgiving?

Segmentation allows businesses to group customers based on demographics, purchase behavior, or preferences. By understanding these groups, businesses can:

Create targeted promotions.

Develop loyalty programs tailored to different customer needs.

Enhance engagement through customized communication.

6. What are some effective tactics for building customer loyalty during Thanksgiving?

Proven tactics include:

Personalizing communication with holiday-themed offers.

Offering exclusive benefits for loyalty program members.

Expressing gratitude through thank-you notes or charitable contributions.

Ensuring exceptional customer service during the holiday rush.

7. How can businesses measure the success of their Thanksgiving loyalty efforts?

Success can be measured by:

Conducting post-holiday satisfaction surveys.

Analyzing repeat purchase rates and customer retention.

Evaluating the performance of marketing campaigns using metrics like engagement and conversion rates.

8. Why is omnichannel engagement crucial during Thanksgiving?

Customers often shop across multiple platforms—online, in-store, or via mobile apps—during Thanksgiving. Providing a seamless experience across all channels ensures convenience, builds trust, and enhances loyalty.

9. What are some post-Thanksgiving strategies to retain customers?

Post-Thanksgiving strategies include:

Following up with surveys to gather feedback on their holiday shopping experience.

Offering exclusive discounts for future purchases.

Keeping customers engaged with loyalty rewards and value-driven communication.

10. Why should businesses partner with Philomath Research for primary market research?

Philomath Research specializes in designing custom primary market research solutions that help businesses:

Decode customer expectations.

Develop data-driven loyalty strategies.

Maximize their ROI during and beyond the Thanksgiving season.

11. Can small businesses benefit from primary market research for Thanksgiving?

Yes, small businesses can use cost-effective methods like online surveys or focus groups to gain valuable insights. This helps them create targeted strategies, compete with larger brands, and build strong customer relationships.

12. How does primary market research aid in creating loyalty programs?

By understanding customer preferences through research, businesses can design loyalty programs that resonate with their audience. Examples include double reward points during the holiday season or exclusive access to early-bird Thanksgiving deals.

13. What are some key questions to include in Thanksgiving-focused customer surveys?

Questions might include:

“What type of Thanksgiving deals do you value most?”

“How can we improve your holiday shopping experience?”

“Would you recommend us to friends or family after this season?”

14. What are the long-term benefits of customer loyalty gained during Thanksgiving?

Loyal customers are more likely to:

Return for future purchases.

Recommend the brand to others.

Be less price-sensitive, even outside the holiday season.

[clothingwebsite]

Baby clothes wholesale USA for every season

Shop the best baby clothes wholesale USA collection, offering comfortable and stylish options for little ones. Our selection features a range of high-quality fabrics and adorable designs, making it perfect for retailers and boutiques looking to stock up on baby essentials. From cozy newborn outfits to trendy toddler clothing, we provide affordable pricing and a variety of sizes to suit every need. Ensure your store is stocked with the latest baby fashion trends that parents will love, all while keeping your business ahead in the competitive market.