Our next candidate for the Refine My Line series is forum member Diana Colmenares. Diana’s story is interesting. She lives in Bogota Colombia but was originally born in Houston TX where her family was living while her father completed his MBA. In 2007, she started a line called Japi Monkis (Happy Monkeys) for the domestic market but then changed her label to Lilah Children to maximize opportunities for international sales, including US and Canadian markets.
If you see the sample photos of some of her products from her F/10 and SS/11 lines in my photo album, you’ll see that the line is well developed if not diverse. The construction of the knit sweater pieces are a particular strength. Good continuity in fabrications and colorways is evident. Separates merchandise well together with cross merchandising opportunities too. I realize we don’t typically discuss line continuity in RML (although I enjoy it) but since Diana isn’t anonymous, I can mention it if only in passing.
For the purposes of this review, we will analyze styles 4242 (grey) and 4263 (taupe). You are encouraged to leave your feedback as it relates to suitability of fabrication, pattern, fit and construction. As mentioned in an earlier entry, style comments are not something we will be discussing at this time until and unless the designer tells us differently. Tomorrow or Wednesday I’ll post my thoughts. Have fun!
The collar on the gray looks lopsided. On the web site also.
Is it common practice in Colombia to have the children’s sizes run together from 1-whatever size they go up to? There are 3 different bodies to be fitted in that size range (something Kathleen has discussed recently).
No comments on style, but I seriously want a few of those tshirts for my grandsons!
I second the thought on the collar on 4242. Similarly on 4263 the right side of the collar looks flatter and the left more round. I see puckering on both collars, though more so on 4263. Also on 4263, the bottom button looks misaligned with the top button, and there is puckering around the armhole. This is so tiny but it looks like the label is also off center.
Back to 4242, is it my imagination or does the right side look a little fuller?
I am new to this so I’d be very interested to see what the fixes are! And incidentally I do find both quite cute.
I love the continuity of the design (looks like they use the same block, therefore saving money) I can’t help but be distracted by the spacing of the pleats in the taupe design. I know the front sides overlap but it should be taken into account so that the pleats look evenly spaced. Also, the buttons on the same coat do not line up at the same distance. I think little details like these can make the design and construction seem “homemade”. My overall recommendation would be to pay attention to those “small” details.
Gray coat – The CF line is not straight, Sweep is pointed at CF, Collar does not look symmetrical.
White coat – I agree with Brenda’s comments
Very cute though
Those pocket. . .err, welts? . . .on the gray 4242 worry me. On construction, the one on the right seems a bit off since it’s pulled enough to show what’s underneath. However, while that hints to me it’s not just a cheap patch sewn onto the body*, the part of me that has had to pick lost items out of pockets during laundry day says, “why is there a pocket opening an adult’s hand doesn’t fit into?”. Is there time and money being spent on making nice little pockets that might actually turn away potential buyers, or is it just a decorative faux pocket which would be less expensive and less likely to harbor hidden crayons? (Trying to make this not a style critique. I do like the adult-like styling of those. . .err, welts? . . .and want to see them stay. Trying only to question the function of what lies behind them.) (Also, for what it’s worth, the knit cardigan from the web album wouldn’t run into the same problem, since those patch pockets are loose enough that I could turn the garment upside-down, shake, and expect items to fall out.)
*I am not an educated consumer.
The only thing that jumps out at me is on both collars, it looks like the upper collar needs to be a tad bigger to allow it to curve properly over the undercollar. Seems like they aren’t laying right, but it could just be the picture.
I see that thecenter front of the gray coat isn’t straight and doesn’t meet at the hem making the hem look pointed. I also noticed the difference in sleeves, they may be different sizes, but based on the fact they are the same lenght I don’t think so. The taupe coat seems to have very long sleeves.
I think they look amazing. I know that when garments are photographed as flats it is impossible to make all the lines line up perfectly and it never looks like it looks on the body–especially working with stretch fabrics.
I, too, noticed that the collar on the gray (4242) is uneven (one side appears larger than the other). Also the center front at the botton comes to a point. As for the taupe (4263) there seems to be puckering under both armholes. The sleeves on 4263 seem to be out of proportion for the coat, or is this just a larger girl’s size than the gray coat? They are both adorable!
I’m sure you’re going to say, “interfacing for the collar”, but other than that I have no ideas. Just that the different materials react differently and it might be necessary to change the pattern if you want the same look.
I’m not sure if the pockets are even or not. She should be using a template so there is no guessing on where to place the welts.
O.K. that’s all I got.
I agree with Leslie and Rachel… I think it’s the picture. On style 4242 the right side of the collar looks higher, but I’m pretty sure it’s just the picture. I can’t say much about the construction or fit, I think it’s very difficult to see problems in this area based on pictures. But I do have to say I think they are both beautiful!! WOW I would definitely buy them for my children. I was looking at the web page and the knits are wonderful… take a look at the baby sets.. man, beautiful! So congratulations to the designer.! I absolutely love the hand made loafers… hand knit??!!! Extra points for that.
Ditto all the comments already made, so I won’t repeat those.
I don’t think anyone has mentioned the top-stitching down the front of the taupe coat 4263 which looks like the fabric is is buckling, as well as the slightly gathered look on the coat’s left sleeve where it is sewn into the cuff. (zoom feature on the pics really is useful)