Online Retailer Adds Latin Flair to "Baby Chic"

Perhaps your readers would be interested in shopping for great products while engaging in a little fantasy travel - from the comfort of their living rooms. Launching its online store today, Arte Bebe makes available at the click of a mouse the far corners of Latin America. Arte Bebe is devoted to finding Latin American treasures, from traditional artisans to trendy new designers, and bringing them home to kids (and moms) in the US and around the world, while helping to support artisans in developing countries. The site features an array of high quality, colorful, and richly textured clothing (newborn to 6yrs), toys and accessories (women and home) that you won't find anywhere else.

Los Angeles, CA (PRWEB) July 26, 2004 -- Arte Bebé, a new concept in childrens retailing, opens its virtual doors for business today, bringing us a Latin America pulsating with more than just a salsa beat.

Through its collection of colorful and richly textured products, Arte Bebé (baby art") pays tribute to a part of the world also brimming with artistic vision, beautifully represented in a variety of hand-crafted textiles. The web-based store can be found at www.artebebe.com.

Part Store, Part Travelogue
Our mission at Arte Bebé is to 'surprise and delight and make shopping for exotic wares convenient and enjoyable. No need to travel days by plane, bus and foot when all is available at the click of a mouse."

Arte Bebés website includes a flash slide show introduction that takes visitors on a mini tour of Mexican markets, the Andean countryside, Argentinean cafes, and back home to local tots modeling Arte Bebé wear.

A Celebration of Latin Craftsmanship - Traditional and New
Products are sourced from throughout Latin America: from indigenous artisans in the mountainous villages of Bolivia, to emerging fashion designers from trendy Palermo Viejo in Buenos Aires. Though patterns, styles and materials may vary from place to place," says president and founder Stacey Castor, the common element is high-quality products that are bursting with color, creative details, and a soul thats uniquely Latin. Inherent in each item, is a little piece of culture, history, and adventure."

Purchases help contribute to the livelihood of indigenous peoples and to the continuity of their artisan traditions as well as promote new directions in Latin design and handicraft. Customized hangtags indicate the place of origin and care instructions for the article.

Exotic Wools, Embroidered Dresses, and Unique Gift Baskets
Everything is made in Latin America with local materials. Most products are 100% pure cotton, or llama or alpaca wool (yarns nearly as soft and luxurious as cashmere).

Signature separates include: knit ponchos (including matching mother/daughter ponchos for Fall), super-soft sweaters, embroidered dresses, playful bodysuits, hand-made blankets and whimsical stuffed animals. In addition to great separates (newborn to 6 years), Arte Bebé has created innovative gift baskets including New Baby" baskets themed around the seasons, and special baskets to celebrate a little ones First Day of School."

Prices range from $18 for a small embroidered wool animal to $125 for a gift basket. There is also a special section featuring Gifts for Under $50". Merchandise will evolve with the seasons and with the discovery of new products and artisans.

Gifts for Mom, the Home, and the Dog
In keeping with its focus on all things Latin, Arte Bebé rounds out its product offerings with some great accessories for women (e.g., shawls, ponchos, and jewelry), the home (e.g., pillows and placemats) and even the dog (hand-knit sweaters from Bolivia that make even a Mastiff look cool).

About Arte Bebé
Arte Bebé currently sells exclusively through its online store, but will also sell select items wholesale to specialty clothing boutiques and home décor/gift stores. For a more intimate shopping experience, private trunk shows may be arranged in some cities.

Arte Bebé can be found at www.artebebe.com. Press can visit www.artebebe.com/media.php to download camera-ready product shots for publication.

About the Founder
In 2003 while traveling in Latin America, whether visiting stylish hamlets or some of the most impoverished communities in the world, founder Stacey Castor was struck by the pervasive spirit of survival, pride, and artistic tradition. She noted that clothing, stuffed animals and other decorative items with such detailed craftsmanship and a perfect balance of sophistication and fun, are not readily available outside Latin America. After a 10-plus year career as a litigation attorney and then in management positions in marketing at major package goods companies including Revlon and Colgate-Palmolive, she decided to take a leap of faith. She left her job and devoted herself full-time to creating a business to showcase these special finds.

Stacey has a bachelors degree in psychology from the University of Massachusetts, Amherst, a law degree from Boston University and a Masters in Management degree from Northwestern University.

CONTACT:   
Elizabeth Perry
Perry Productions
(o) 415-331-1372 (c) 415-225-4618
eperry@perry-productions.com

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