Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) -- Can we combine ultramodern chic and vintage? Can sports attire be trendy? Can children be jaunty and act professional on a catwalk at the same time? Answers to these questions come from Bolajonlar-Shirintoylar (Candy Kids) Festival of Children’s Fashion, which is organized annually by the Fund Forum in collaboration with Osiyo ramzi (Symbol of Asia) Association of Fashion Designers. This time again the Festival came up with a “Yes!” to all the incredible ideas of young fashion designers, the captivated audience and ambitious organizers.

Four hours of non-stop shows, 41 collections, 180 models aged 3-16, one hundred scholars and young researchers, 500 spectators daily, 45 laureates… such is the statistics of the Festival this year. That said, though, these figures do not convey the grandeur of the spectacular which took place on May 10 and 11 on the catwalk at the Center of National Arts. Indeed, the event can de described as a celebration of creativity and bold aspirations.

Preparations for the Festival last for a year and involve fashion designers, children and the organizers. Perhaps this is why the collections produced an expression of delight and rapture on the spectators’ faces. The fashion designers took meticulous care of every single detail: from hairstyles to shoes. Complemented by bright ribbons, balloons, transforming elements and national motifs, the clothes were so diverse that they could fit any occasion and mood... prom clothes, school uniform, party clothes, sporting outfit... Sports collections merit special note. Young tennis players, gymnasts, woo-shu and taekwondo athletes demonstrated specially designed costumes.

“I got to see so many talented designers, so many happy models. What really impressed me is that most of the participants are students,” says David Merkel, a guest from the USA. “But their work is very professional. This is really amazing. I am amazed by how much the Fund Forum is involved with. I was in Khiva for the annual “Asrlar sadosi” Festival. It is a great opportunity to see a lot of Uzbek traditions. And today I am pleased to be here for children’s fashion show and to see how students are blending some Uzbek traditions with other fashion trends and coming up with very creative designs.”

The professionalism combined with children’s sincerity was inspiring and exciting. The participants’ excitement, perkiness and delight created a special atmosphere throughout the Festival.

“I’m struck by these kids’ professionalism,” says Venetia Van de Blocq Van Kuffeler, editor of Diplomat, a British foreign affairs magazine. “It was a discovery for me when I learned that they attend special fashion schools. They act on the catwalk like true professionals.”

Among fashion schools and centers that participate in the Festival every year are Colibri, Paradise, Baby Style art bureaus, Eski shahar (Old city) Center for Arts and Children’s Creativity. This year the organizers experimented by involving young athletes of Forum Junior Sport Complex as catwalk models. Twenty-five young models that have participated in the project for 5 years, including the young host Diyora Hikmatullayeva, have been awarded upon the completion of the Festival.

It is noteworthy that the Festival is not only a spectacular event, but also an important process in the development of children’s fashion in Uzbekistan. Specialists, scholars, and young researchers spoke of the results of their efforts during the conference titled “Improvement of the process of clothes designing” which was held on the first day of the Festival. On the whole, the Festival opens a new page in the fashion and design industry. An increasing number of people are showing interest in fashion designing, attending fashion schools while young specialists are expanding their opportunities, boosting their skills and contributing to the development of children’s fashion.

Laureates of the Festival:

1. Malika Sayfullayeva, category “Graduation Party”
2. Olga Yaikova, category “Tashkent Streets”
3. Mokhinur Yusupova, category “Dressy look garment”
4. Alisher Giyazov, category “Sporting Style”
5. Zarina Kadyrova, category “Mother-to-be”
6. Yulduz Hudoyberdiyeva, “Use of National Fabrics”
7. Nodira Rikhsiyeva, category “National Style”
8. Aziza Izamova, category “Young Fashion Designer”
9. Mastura Bakhodirova, category “Summer Holiday”
10. Diyora Karimova, category “Sports Attire”
11. Dinara Usmanova, Nilufar Yunushojayeva, collection “Oh, Sea!”
12. Denis Tomilin, collection “The Orange Sun”
13. Umida Muminova, collection “Transformer”
14. Gulnara Gapurova, collection “Kurama tumorcha”
15. Aziza Babajanova, collection “Tennis attire”
16. Yelena Amirova, collection “Woo-shu Clothes”
17. Gulshoda Rashidova, collection “Fireworks”
18. Dima Sirenev, collection “Urban Dessert”
19. Gulnara Hakimova, collection “Joyous Promenade”