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                                                                    EXHIBIT 23.1
 
               CONSENT OF ERNST & YOUNG LLP, INDEPENDENT AUDITORS
 
   
     We consent to the reference to our firm under the caption "Experts" and
"Selected Consolidated Financial Data" and "Summary Historical and Pro Forma
Financial Information" and to the use of our report dated January 30, 1998 with
respect to the consolidated financial statements of GCIH, Inc., and to the use
of our report dated September 12, 1997 with respect to the consolidated
financial statements of Gerber Childrenswear, Inc. ("Predecessor Company") in
Amendment No. 2 to the Registration Statement (Form S-1) and related Prospectus
for the registration of shares of common stock of Gerber Childrenswear, Inc.
(the Successor Company).
    
 
     Our audits also included the financial statement schedules of GCIH, Inc.
and Gerber Childrenswear, Inc. ("Predecessor Company") listed in Item 16(b).
These schedules are the responsibility of the Company's and the Predecessor
Company's management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion based on our
audits. In our opinion, the financial statement schedules referred to above,
when considered in relation to the basic financial statements taken as a whole,
present fairly in all material respects the information set forth therein.
 
                                          /s/ ERNST & YOUNG LLP
 
Greenville, South Carolina
   
May 19, 1998