If you’ve been following Pirouette for a while, you’ll know that one of my most meaningful projects has been helping to bring the runway back to Pitti Bimbo with the support of Pitti Immagine. From initial concept to planning, casting, rehearsals, and finally the live event, it’s a true undertaking. At times, we’ve found ourselves doing everything from mixing runway music to sketching props for print, it’s all part of the process.

So, speaking from experience, I can confidently say that the CWF Group / Kids Around show was nothing short of magnificent. When executed well, a children’s runway show becomes a marketing tool with legs, an engaging and memorable experience for buyers, distributors, press, stylists, and beyond. There’s no denying that producing a runway show at this level requires significant investment, models, permits, production, it all adds up. But a great runway show stays in the memory and becomes a powerful marketing amplifier.

The Kids Around show featured ready-to-wear SS26 collections, with CWF holding licenses for major names such as Karl Lagerfeld, Marc Jacobs, Lanvin, and DKNY. The design quality was exceptional, and the styling perfectly complementary, and effortlessly chic.

One particularly memorable moment came from the Catimini segment, where a child led a caterpillar-esque chain of children, all dressed in coordinated looks with letters spelling out this iconic brand’s name across their sweatshirts. These moments can be tricky to execute with young models, there was a small gap in the chain but that’s exactly what makes children’s fashion so special. It’s imperfect, spontaneous, and full of charm.

The audience responded warmly, cheering as the children walked. Little models smiled at friends they’d rehearsed with as they passed one another on the runway, adding a genuine sense of joy to the show. I’m often told by professionals, especially those who have worked in womenswear that there is something uniquely uplifting about working in kidswear. This show was a perfect example of that spirit.

It was, without doubt, a celebration of premium childrenswear executed at the highest level and a true joy to witness. Thank you for the invitation and here’s to many more.

And now, back to my own runway planning. This next one is set to make a splash!

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