Over the years, we have worked with hundreds of the top recognized children's wear fashion brands. Last year, we were invited in to speak with the design students at the Fashion Institute of Technology. Their dream - a life long career designing for kids, getting their samples down the runway, developing the next must-have brand for kids - the list goes on. We caught up with the students again, this year, right before they jump into the real world; and this time, their samples were on models and ready for the runway.

When you're a fashion design student in NYC, your dream is to see your hard work come to life in a fashion show. For six graduating designers, this dream came true as their looks were chosen by WGSN Trend Forecaster and friend of petitePARADE, Erin Rechner and featured in the Future of Fashion fashion show at FIT. Before they hit the runway, Laura Fontaine got to take some snapshots backstage for a feature we like to call: The Class of '17 #littlefashionBIGTALENT

Get to know the Class of '17 children's wear designers at FIT featured in the FOF fashion show:

Lorena, Victoria, Kelly, Deborah, Angelica & Nicole

Maria (Lorena) Ferri Ferrer

"The two designs I presented as final projects show my love for refined trims and extremely ellaborated finishings. Origami crafting, pearl embedding and ostrich feathers, along with hand-made pleats in body and tulle skirts are evidences of my tireless search for perfection. Regardless of how exhausting and time-consuming my works can get, they reflect closely the kind of couture I love to produce. High-end fashion, exquisite materials, handcrafting and a very personal selection of all garments and complements. I love to throw a personal search for perfection in every model I make. After completing an Associate in Fashion Design at Parsons, I felt I needed a deeper and more thorough immersion in what is actually my passion for childrenswear. Completing my major with an Associate and Bachelor in Childrenswear at FIT has given me the necessary tools to face my next challenges with a realistic chance of success."

Victoria Nickerson

"I’d describe my aesthetic as authentic, classic, and minimalistic. I try to draw inspiration for my designs from nature and the experiences I encounter everyday. My time at FIT truly strengthened me as a designer. As students, we are pushed to create the best, and we learn how to bring our deepest creative thoughts to life. I’ve learned the components that are involved in being a successful designer while attending FIT. Childrenswear has always been a fun creative outlet for me. You have to have a completely different mindset for children’s wear than you would have for any other design work. During my time at FIT we collaborated with Chelsea Prep school to create fairy tale inspired dresses for the kindergarteners. Through my interactions with the kids, I got to experience they’re fun loving perspective on fashion."

Kelly McHugh

"My journey at FIT over the past years have helped me discover myself as a designer. Through personal experiences I found out I had a potential as a children's wear designer. While spending time in California with my young cousin (five years old at the time) I realized my favorite part of staying with her was dressing her in the morning. When I returned to FIT after that summer, I decided to specialize in children's wear. My strong eye for color is held constant through my designs. My goal is to make fun, yet sophisticated designs for children. I believe children’s clothing can have an adult level of style without compromising the youth of a child. I find inspiration in ideas and feelings rather than tangible things, making my work extremely personal. I insert her personal experiences into all my work to evoke emotion in my viewers. With an interest in personal diversity, I challenge myself to adapt my style into the companies that I work for. In my free time, I actively collaborate with other artists whose interests are similar to mine. My girlfriend in Textile Design at FIT has been a great collaborator whose work helps to bring contrast to mine. Ultimately, I strive to challenge myself and ideas to create art. More than anything, I am here to show my world. I am thankful for my time at FIT and my mentors who have helped me bring my visions to life. After seeing my garment walk the runway, the most rewarding thing has been seeing the smiles on people’s faces when they see my work and the happiness it bring my young models."

Deborah Kang

"Children's wear became my main concentration in fashion design due to my love for kids. I aspire to create clothes that can satisfy both the wearer and their parents. The garment showcased in the FOF: Future of Fashion 2017 was inspired by the Victorian period, especially that of colorful and splendid style. I wanted to create a garment that can embody both femininity and youthfulness by utilizing variety of bright colors and textured fabrics. Faux fur was dyed with English breakfast tea to create a subtle pink, then back of the jacket was embroidered with delicate flower and butterfly design to add a unique look. Attending Fashion Institute of Technology greatly aided myself to grow as a creative designer. Being in New York, the metropolitan to fashion industry, gave me an opportunity to interact with fellow designers and students with valuable exchanges. Internship programs through FIT also provided me privileges of experiencing the real world."

Angelica Ryan

"I have always loved to sew and draw. While in high school, I took over twelve classes in the precollege program, and I loved coming to the school every Saturday. It was my dream to attend FIT full-time and continue studying my passion. I am spending my last year at FIT concentrating on children’s wear. I would say my design aesthetic in children’s wear is classic American. During my time at FIT, I have completed internships at companies such as Andy & Evan, Tommy Hilfiger–Global Brands, and Nickelodeon. In my final semester I am finishing my BFA and interning for Vineyard Vines."

Jongah (Nicole) Lee

"My design work is part of who I am. I get inspired by my interests of the time, which could be my favorite painting or music to politics or global issues. In addition to fashion design, I interpret my inspiration in a modern way by adding personal taste of quirkiness. Time at FIT was sweet and bitter. I spend half of my 20s in this school and in NY without my family. Time was hard, but I got tougher and really grew up. This school taught me a lot of skills; but for the most I learned how to be self-starter and how to manage my time in a crazy amount of workloads. I thought it would be simpler than womenswear, but it wasn’t. I’m trying not to be bias to one side between moms and kids side and create both of their favorite."

FIT Class of '17: Kids Edition