The apparel industry is having a rough time right now, as we were all further reminded by the dismal holiday shopping season. However, there is one market at least that seems to be continuing its growth in spite of the economy: designer children’s wear. It is outperforming even women’s wear divisions.

Reasons cited for its success include plateauing birthrates combined with an increase in career moms with more money to spend as well as an increased desire in women for their children to reflect their own personal style. Philip Lim Kids, Little Ella Moss, John Galliano and Little Marc Jacobs are all top-selling kid’s lines at Barney’s New York. Jean Paul Gaultier plans to develop a kid's line next fall and Burberry will be opening up free-standing children's clothing stores in New York, Hong Kong and Palo Alto, California.

Designer Children's Wear Proliferates, Economy Be Damned [NY Mag]