Kids with the passion for fashion and modeling made a debut of their skills during the Kids Rock Fashion Show on Sunday afternoon in the Alfredo Andrews Elementary School auditorium.
JG Management USVI’s second annual Kids Rock fashion fundraiser, with the theme “Rock Glam,” allowed fashionable kids from JG Management to display their skills. The fundraiser supports the first upcoming V.I. Models competition in April, where modeling agencies from New York and Los Angeles will be in attendance. Kids and teens in JG Management will get the opportunity to gain modeling contracts along with exposure to the modeling industry.
Jason Gardener, chief executive officer and founder of JG Management, said the kids began training in January in preparation for the show.
“It’s something positive for the kids and they look forward to it,” Gardener said. “They really take it serious.”
After living in New York for 15 years, Gardener moved back to St. Croix to support the St. Croix community. He said with the success of pageantry on St. Croix, he wanted to open up a management company that would allow kids and teens the opportunity to be more natural in person and feel comfortable showing their charismatic personalities.
The young models sported clothing from Sparkle Couture, strutting their stuff in high fashion attire and colorful designs. The event consisted of formal, beach and sportswear. The “My Style” segment allowed the kids to dress in outfits of their own choice.
The models did a theatrical tango dance number to Gotye’s “Somebody That I Used to Know.”
Throughout the show, the crowd was entertained by hosts Izhani Rosa and D’Quan Daniel, both attending the Good Hope Country Day School. Dayalee Gerana, Omyralee Santiago and Rex Cazaubon III also entertained the crowd by singing popular songs.
Jessica Nieves came to the event to support her 6-year-old daughter Jennalis Saldana. “This is her first time walking in a runway,” she said.
Nieves’ 8-year-old son Javier Edwards also took part in the show. “He absolutely loves it; he has an outgoing personality,” she said.
During the fashion show, the contestants for the upcoming V.I. Model competition introduced themselves to the crowd. The contestants shared their hobbies and prompted the audience to attend the event, which will have child, junior and adults divisions. The competition will take place April 4 to 6 at the Educational Complex High School.
Sponsors for this year’s fashion show includes Sparkle Couture, Aswantee’s Dance Boutique, My Girlfriend’s Closet, Rainbow Kids, Kmart, Shelly’s Variety Store, Troy Johannes security team, Urban Threadz and Renuatum Spa.