A stuffed animal from his childhood inspired the name of his Appaman Apparel company, but Harald Husum gives an adult sensibility to his line of clothing for babies and toddlers. The Brooklyn, NY-based Appaman, which launched its Website in May, features peace signs, gender-identifying symbols, and even revolutionary Che Guevara on its onesies ($19.95), T-shirts ($18.95) and long-sleeved shirts ($21.95).
Husum, who designed the Website as well as the clothing, launched the site as a stepping stone to sell his clothing wholesale. Now the apparel, which is manufactured in India, dyed in Brooklyn, and printed in Manhattan, sell to 45 stores in more than 10 states, including New York, Illinois, California, and Oregon.
The average Web order size is $50, with online sales coming largely from e-mail campaigns, word of mouth, and media exposure. Husum hopes to eventually launch a print catalog for wholesale items. By fall, he expects to have extended his line to include clothes for children up to six years old.