A show with child models always holds surprises. Kids being kids, you'll find a couple of introverts who take one look at the audience and hide behind the curtain, and a few extroverts who want to stretch their 30 seconds on the runway to a full 15 minutes of fame.

At the Vogue Bambini fashion show held at Children's Club (March 9, 2008), the mannequins bravely marched through Styrofoam "snow" wearing, with few exceptions, understated, elegant Fall/Winter 2008 fashions. The designs on the kittenwalk reflected the rest of the gear being exhibited in this season's trade shows: pretty, somewhat conservative designs that are pleasing yet don't set new design direction. With a recession looming, manufacturers aren't taking chances.

No offense to the adorable models, but the one on the right looks like a real dog. The girl in beige is wearing Bonnie Young's modern plisse dress with a loosely cut cashmere jacket. The white fur coat is the model's own.

There's one way to shake up a show, add plenty of sparkle and strut your stuff. That's just what the models did when they flounced their way down the kittenwalk in Bonnie Young's sparkle heavy flapper dress and funky, vintage style coat.

That's one hip elf wearing Little Mass's silver sequined dress and ready-for-Christmas-red-faux-fur overcoat. Coordinating hat by San Diego Hat Company.

Little Red Riding Hood meets Cinderella in Little Lovelies Couture's lime green multi-ruffled dress with country style cape.

Baby Phat Girlz and Boys play it urban cool with the beige down overcoat trimmed with fur and the boy's track jacket and black denim jeans.

Baby CZ kept it classic with a chocolate cashmere cardigan that closed with Swarovski crystal buttons and coordinating ruffled blouse and tweed skirt.

Kate Mack's dark red princess dress with matching Swarovski trimmed sweater and a charming pink ballerina dress.

Retailers were enchanted with Enchanted Enfant's pinstriped corset and coordinating wide leg pants and a stunning silk velvet coat with a 1930's feeling.

Coco Bonbons kept it classic with a gray wool suit trimmed in fresh apple green and a boy's set that mimics dad's suiting.

Serious suit or not, this model couldn't stay out of the "snow."

Who's afraid of a little pattern? Not designer Sachin Batra of Cherise who sent a model down the kittenwalk in an embroidered velvet coat and gypsy style dress.

If Madonna has mellowed over the years she isn't showing it. Not with the two glitzy and glamorous sets she designed for the The English Roses collection.

On the flip side of Madonna, are the classic, always appropriate designs from Elephantito. That creamy ruffled dress is a dream.

One model enjoys her moment in the spotlight wearing Victoria Kids' trademark knit topped dress with ruby raw silk skirt.

Clean, modern shapes rule at Isabella G for Geiger.

Imoga's designers warm up the kittenwalk with the long, deep red cable knit sweater over the pale gray ruffled skirt.

Zutano shines a ray of sunshine on the kittenwalk with the charming dotted velvet dress and cheery yellow ruffled cardigan.

Little by Lyttle's cream wool coat with a peacock tail of charmeuse-lined ruffles will make a superstar out of any girl.

Models are getting smaller and smaller. Here teddy bears wear Kissy Kissy's holiday creations.

Here's one cool dude in Buffalo's neutral sportswear.

Diesel drives in neutral this fall with a cream boy's jacket and plaid pants and the girl's soft metallic gold bomber.

Hatley's organic sportswear is alive with animal motifs, dots and all manner of playful prints.

She's sugar in a black jumper sweetened with a ruffled cardigan; he's spice in an electric blue and red set from SnoPea.

Watch out Beckham, this little guy's got style in Recco S' soccer-themed hoodie and separates.

Style gets a workout with Puma's slim-lined sportswear in rich shades of coral, black and electric blue.

Urban meets prep school from Nilacachet.

On the kittenwalk or around town, Naturino's rose suede boots are made for walkin'.

A model in Bonnie Young's cocoa separates leads the finale.

The show's finale: Let it snow!

Originally published April 21, 2008