Pitti Bimbo remains the gold standard for Kids trends and trade show news. The spring- summer 2009 show ushered in an era of denim and revived American brands on the runway while Italian trusted names also showed their latest looks.

At Brooksfield, an offshoot of the Simonetta company, it was business as usual with bright and clean prep gear for boys. Mid bright plaids, seersucker jackets and clever surf layers were on deck. At Liu Jo, things were laid back with a fabulous color story including sunswept jades, turquoise, tomato red and brown mixed with denim or casual knits. Calvin Klein’s signature brand looked better than ever with well-detailed classics such as color-blocked polos, laundered jeans and branded logo tees with punchy art in the mix. As we looked at the entire collection we saw some real glimpses of edge and influence from the American young men’s market; skinny navy jeans and sleeveless hoodies are case and point. Levi’s perhaps scored the best with our analysts for having stayed true to their brand. They rolled out edgy screened tees, tuxedo inspired white shirts over white jeans and some key silos including the big and baggy jean paired with the inside out printed shirt.