AFTER a two-year absence due to the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, Island Child Style—a children’s fashion show—took place at the historic Naval Dock Yard in Port Royal, Kingston, last Saturday.

The event, dubbed as the Caribbean’s first premium runway event dedicated to children’s collections, prides itself as a confidence-building platform for children ages four to 16 years.

It featured 100 child models, 13 regional and local designer and three children designers—Logan Watkins, seven years old; Lian White from Florida, 14; and King Blessed, nine.

In her main address at the function, Children’s Advocate Diahann Gordon Harrison commended the organisers of the event and also acknowledged the importance of initiatives such as Island Child Style to the well-being of children.

“Join me as we applaud the terrific three, Michelle, Norma, and Brandon. Together they have conceptualised and executed this production with and for our children. As your Children’s Advocate, I believe in adaptable and creative avenues through which to foster growth and the healthy evolution of our children. And so, more programmes of this kind are needed. The weeks of patience and arduous work that have been poured into these children and teenagers have culminated into what we see here this evening and it is testimony to the great talent that abounds,” said Gordon Harrison.

“In addition to that Island Child Style is an ally—a movement through which one child at a time is being infused with positivity appreciation and love for self, confidence and a clear understanding that they matter. It is this message that makes this movement resonate so much with me, as well as with you. Its mantra that the most beautiful child is a confident child, speaks volumes. That confidence is being represented this evening as we watch children hit the runway,” she continued.

The designers who showcased at Island Child Style included Kadian Nicely, Latoya Hilton, Shenna Carby, Meiling and Anthony Reid from Trinidad, Ziggy Marley and Appaman from Los Angeles, Laila Bennett for Zilac, Lucien Harrison, Theodore Elyet from Nassau, Bahamas, Carlton Brown, Zuribelle, Donna Buchanan for Nahimana and Ajya Rainwear and Accessories.

Island Child Style is the brainchild of parenting consultant, B3 Mom Michelle Gordon in collaboration with branding expert and aviation training instruction Norma Williams and international financial advisor and runway coach Brandon Ferguson.