The kids are all right

This season, fashion week has some new faces  make that pint-sized, adorable, super-cute faces. Seventy-two kids, aged two to 12, strutted their stuff down an unusually long runway (for them, that is) in a huge venue and made history as the first children’s wear to show in Philippine Fashion Week. 

And, indeed, history was made. Upon entering the fog-filled room, guests were transported into a fantasy forest filled with giant mushrooms, larger-than-life trees, colorful flowers complete with softly-played classical music to set the mood. The show opened with young ballerinas dancing gracefully before the first girl, a precocious two-year-old holding a giant flower, confidently marched out to the amusement and surprise of the jam-packed room. This was the toddler’s segment, where the prettiest taffeta party dresses coupled with mini polo shirts and pants set the tone for the show. The girls’ wore mini tiaras and held enormous flowers that almost looked like umbrellas against their tiny frames.

Next came the older kids’ segment where a live violinist expertly played her own version of Lady Gaga’s Telephone with the ease of a veteran. This time, the styling was more contemporary. Funky tie-dyed jeans paired with lace-infused tops and sneakers, mini-dresses with over-the-knee socks, and to cap it all off, an older version of the famous tutu skirt, rendered in floor length coupled with a printed T-shirt. The little details, floral headbands with a ‘20s flapper feel and butterfly clips attached here and there, completed the modern ethereal look.

Last came the kids, the highlight of the show and the real stars. The ubiquitous tutu skirt once more paired with T-shirts made a major appearance in candy colors of pink, magenta, purple and peacock blue. Huge headbands made of tulle, satin and beads adorned the girls’ heads. The boys, not to be outdone, were dapper in mini suit jackets, vests and polo shirts paired with jeans. Fedoras and newsboy caps topped off their look. Last came the finale, the party dresses which were a hybrid of the tutu skirt but with a more traditional twist, this time infused with floral prints, rosettes and tiered skirts. Perhaps the highlight came when Princess Pacquiao, clad in a lilac dress with roses took the runway and expertly walked like a seasoned model, much to the delight of the crowd.

It was a refreshing change to the usual hard-edged, sometimes somber, sometimes confusing shows that the “grown-ups” produce in Fashion Week. Nothing like kids playing dress-up to shake things up.