JG Management LLC presents the 13th Annual Fundraiser “kids ROCK” fashion show Sunday at 3 p.m. at the Sydney Lee Event Center on St. Croix.
The theme is “Protecting the Trees, Ocean, the Environment and more … with the splendor of Recyclable Couture.”
JG Management LLC owner and the founder of “kids ROCK” Jason Gardner created the highly anticipated fashion show in 2013 after he moved back to St. Croix from New York. “When I started my training program, I was figuring out what are some of the things I wanted to do. I wanted to put on the biggest fashion shows in the Virgin Islands and I thought of kids ROCK. The name just popped in my head because you know ‘kids rock!’” said Gardner.
Gardner said that he wanted to give children of different races and sizes a platform for them to express themselves.
“We need to build confidence and that’s what I’ve seen year after year,” he said. Gardner spoke of students he had and their transformation from not speaking to “complete stars,” as he referred to them.
“When I was in New York all the information and knowledge and all that I learned and experienced I saw what could happen if I went back home and trained our talent on this level. Where they can have some of the opportunities I didn’t have when I was modeling here because of course it is not a big industry here where you can make a big living like in the mainland. I felt that I can give the models the tools to succeed and do it the right way.”
Afterward “kids ROCK” decided to expand and started the V.I. modeling competition in 2014. This competition has had immense success and models have been placed with top agencies and have had major bookings that include Paris Fashion week, and more. “It has been a ride, very rewarding,” said Gardner.”
It did not stop there, though; Gardner then moved on to organizing a fashion week in 2019: “I did a St. Croix style of fashion week, and I combined it with the V.I. model competition and we call it ‘Style Week.’”
During the “kids ROCK” fashion show, three outstanding young people will be recognized and awarded with the iROCK! Award. The criteria for the award was based on participating in three or more “kids ROCK fashion weekENDs,” excelling in school academically, slaying on the runway and/or pursuing a modeling career, and having a positive attitude and good moral character. This award will go to three young ladies: Ariana Henry, Sy’Rai Menders and Je’Talia Hanley.
There will be a special performance by Noah Alexander Ramnarine and the Music in Motion School of Higher Dance Education.
Tickets to “kids ROCK” can be purchased at Jane’s Bridal. There will also be a fun “Pink and Blue” party on Saturday, where children are welcome to enjoy a lively evening, and the models can relax and unwind before the big show.
For more information, visit the JG Management Facebook page.
