by Stacy Amoo-Mensah of Name Your Design

Hi Everyone! I recently returned back from a great visit to the ABC Kids Show in Las Vegas. I wasn’t exhibiting (at least not this year), but my reasons for attending were three fold:

1. To check out the scene at the show to see if developing a full blown wholesale line is in my future

2.  To support my friends and partners at Itzy Ritzy

3. To support the celebrity filled benefit to raise awareness for World Hunger Relief, sponsored by Itzy Ritzy and Yum! Brands

You may remember reading an interview on OMHG with Kelly from Itzy Ritzy earlier this year.  Itzy Ritzy sells a line of hip and stylish products for babies and toddlers (car seat covers,  high chair & shopping cart covers, nursing pads, nursing covers,  stroller liners and reusable snack bags….just to name a few).

As luck would have it, while on Twitter one day, I “bumped” into Itzy Ritzy and started following them. I soon realized that they were located in the same town as me and an instant connection was made.  Kelly and I spoke on the phone one day, and within the next 3-4 days, I was working on developing some exclusive fabrics to add to their line! I know it sounds far-fetched, but it literally happened that fast. So, just a little side note: If you are not on Twitter, you should be. It has been an essential part of growing my business and making some amazing connections.

Kelly was able to get a good feel for my design aesthetic from looking at my current designs on name your design as well as my exclusive stationery line on tiny prints. However, I had to be completely honest with her about the fact that I had NEVER attempted to design fabric before.  So, after some direction from their team as to what they were looking for, I was able to crank out a few designs. As it turns out, they decided to move forward with four of them (all of which are pictured on the products above)!

My relationship with Itzy Ritzy is ongoing.  We frequently meet to go over ideas and brainstorm on trends and future fabric designs.  It is a great partnership in the fact that we can bounce ideas off of one another and learn from each other.  After visiting with them in their booth at the ABC Kids Show, I have definitely picked up a few tips on how to properly display your product line. I can say, without a doubt, that they had one of the most amazing booths on the entire first floor at the show. Although I am not in their league when it comes to a “budget” for a show like this, they certainly set the standard for knowing how to make a huge impact on buyers and drawing attention to their products with this awesome design. Take a look at some of the pictures below:
I ended my trip by attending the high profile World Hunger Relief benefit, sponsored by Itzy Ritzy and Yum! Brands at  Eve Nightclub.  Itzy Ritzy has graciously teamed up with the folks at www.fromhungertohope.com and  is selling packs of two World Hunger Relief branded snack bags for $20. Each purchase feeds 40 hungry children! You can see pics from this night by visiting Itzy Ritzy’s facebook page or take a peek at this blog post of mine for my own personal paparazzi shots! It was a great event, for a great cause.  I feel very fortunate to have partnered with such a wonderful team and am excited to expand my design footprint on more Itzy Ritzy products!