Well this was a first. For in a world where I often peered at poised giantesses and arched my neck to catch a full bodied picture from my front-row fashion show perch at fashion weeks worldwide, I noticed something different. For at the awning of Nancy Vuu‘s New York Fashion Week (NYFW) SS17 collection was a smaller, tiny figure in a bouncy frock. Making me realize that the designer was in fact showcasing childrenswear alongside evening wear for women!

Of Vietnamese and Chinese origins, Nancy Vuu is a designer with a passion for partnering with organizations like Unlikely Heroes and Hope for Justice to help victims. The deep faith in spirituality and human well being came across in the aesthetic, elegant and beautiful collection on the runway, each one evoking more than a smile to its cheery onlookers, who clapped and literally jumped with joy on seeing the petite models. After all, she had a huge fan following for her luxury children and teenage clothing, with a belief that every girl was a princess and every boy a prince.

It first started with women’s evening wear, with her first pieces being bold blue and light pink leopard print mixes on a fairly shiny fabric. With a subjectivity towards my favorite animal print, I was immediately in awe.

This was succeeded by several satin and silk dresses in feminine pinks, with plunging backs and necklines, with a multitude of pleat, sequins or rose appliques in particular.

The crowd roared into cheers and smiles when models of disparate ages, heights and sizes sashayed down the runway, usually in matching outfits, bringing back memories of the Sound of Music’s hilarious uniform from my childhood days. Almost paying homage to a mother-and-daughter relationship, there were silk, lace, embroidered, applique and sequins across layers of florals, bringing this a mainstay trend this season. Bow placements, often in exaggerated sizes for a style statement, made the girls’ looks even cuter. The cuts, styles and workmanship alone spoke volumes of the dedication to the craft.

There were several non-coordinated outfits that hit the runway, with separates for the girls in golds and pinks or whites, with faux fur lining, jeweled accents, or simply old fashioned frocks with quality motifs and fabrics. Several used petals that formed the skirt of the dress, adding a playful textural dimension.

There were of course the puffed gowns which looked ethereal on the little damsels as they walked slowly across the runway, capturing the melting hearts of the front-row enthusiasts who were all draining their phone batteries in efforts to capture every moment of the collection. Layers of fabric, interlaced with mesh and floral appliques, or simply vibrant peach, orange and pink prints, ensured that there was enough to gape at with the voluminous puff of fabric.

The show ended with a long runway that showcased the gowns in the regal gorgeousness, as well as the excited grins and smiles of the runway show of many of the children, who won over many hearts with their mere laughter.

Overall, it was a ready-to-wear collection that would be available for purchase in retail, with plenty of opportunities to adorn the dresses over fall and holiday seasons.  The impact of the collection was immense. Crowds gave Nancy Vuu a standing ovation for brining luxury to the future of our world: the children.