Fashion Week Brooklyn Presents GenK Kids Runway
It’s hard not to smile and enjoy yourself when watching others have a good time. Although this pandemic continues to change everyday events, I refuse to let it take away my happiness and ability to smile, instead, getting pleasures from simple things. One circumstance where I found myself smiling, watching the members of the Brooklyn United Music & Arts Program perform at the GenK Kids Runway show for Fashion Week Brooklyn. This virtual event featured the designs of Mo Glover for Zyem Kids NYC, Tiffany Behlin of Carrie Panine, and “Sunday Best” curated by the BK Style team.
While holding large in-person events like fashion shows are challenging, virtual presentations allow for different opportunities not otherwise presented. One of the benefits accompanying virtual shows is providing designers the chance to discuss their inspiration and story behind their designs. While fashion is a story on its own, I always enjoy knowing the designer’s backstory and how they developed their style and voice.
Mo Glover, the designer behind Zyem kids, shared her passion for fashion design, which started when she was a child after watching a PBS special and how her inner youth continues to come out when designing clothes for children. She even shared her desire to use eco-friendly fabric since everyone needs to do their part in caring for the environment. After watching her collection, it is evident her inner youth plays a big role in her designs. The kids rocked ’70’s inspired jumpsuits, bombers and vests, featuring fringe, checkered prints, and “Black Lives Matter” patchwork. While adult models are serious, letting the star of the fashion shows be the clothing, these kids were smiling, and I could tell they were enjoying walking in this show. They were proud to be modeling for Fashion Week Brooklyn; striking power poses at the end of the runway. It made the whole presentation so enjoyable because they were having fun.
Image courtesy @zyem_nyc
Following Zyem’s show, the BK Style team curated a “Sunday Best” collection featuring denim, prints, and even glitter. The term “Sunday Best” truly fits the theme of this collection. The kids strutted the runway in fun dresses, suit jackets, bellbottom pants, everything grandma would love to see their grandchildren in. However, what really stood out was the joy each kid has during this show. One little girl literally skipped down the runway, serving as the perfect reminder to find joy and happiness in the small things.
Tiffany Behlin, the designer behind Carrie Pennie, closed the GenK “Kids Runway.” Before her show, she shared her company’s name which in fact is inspired by her grandmothers who raised her. She continued to share the concepts of her designs which are rooted in respect to African American female pioneers.
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Her bright and animated scuba fabric colored garments even feature women from history, incorporating fun components like vinyl, sequins, and stories into each design, like her NASA sweatshirt. Behlin shared each garment is stretchy because kids continue to grow. Some of her clothes even featured feathers, popcorn or cotton candy patchwork, and other fun elements. Her designs tell a story and can continue to inspire young kids to overcome obstacles like the women printed on their clothing.
All fashion should take a page out of the GenK Kids Runway, reminding us to find joy even when things seem grim.