By: Susan Perk

The Young Fashion Show is emerging as a prominent platform where young models can gain runway experience and step into the spotlight. After events in various cities, the excitement continues to grow. The recent show in Chicago featured numerous models across multiple runway presentations, highlighting a fresh perspective on children’s fashion and filling the venue with energy and enthusiasm.

Among the rising stars in Chicago was Yana Turko, a confident young model with a natural stage presence. For the new generation of YFS runway stars, the show became a true initiation into high fashion — a gateway where ambition and creativity take center stage, and Yana stepped through with undeniable potential.

“Walking the runway in designer pieces felt like living in a movie. The cameras clicking, then flashes, the cheering — it was pure magic. I could feel the energy of the whole team and knew I was part of something special. YFS made me feel like more than a model — it showed me that creativity and confidence can make a difference,” Yana shared after the show.

So many emotions and so much attention! But at just 11 years old, this rising young star handled it like a pro. Despite her nerves, she walked confidently and enjoyed every moment. “When the lights went down, and the music faded, I felt proud and happy. All the rehearsals and preparation led to this perfect moment. It gave me a new kind of confidence — the feeling that if I can do this, I can do anything,” she added. Her mother, Lyudmila, said it was a true celebration, a moment of pride — realizing just how much Yana had grown and how boldly she’s chasing her dreams.

Undeniably, the show delivered a wave of excitement. Imagine world-class runway standards applied to kids’ fashion. This is the mission driving the Young Fashion Show — to bring world-class runway experiences to kids’ fashion. The husband-and-wife duo behind it, Taras Lavrovskyi and Diana Hetun, are world-class producers who proved their vision with the TOP USA Awards — and now they’re reinventing children’s fashion shows. Guests in Chicago witnessed the full scale: professionally constructed glossy catwalks, a red carpet, press, top brands, and young models trained by professional coaches. The U.S. children’s fashion scene has never seen anything like it.

It’s incredible when kids’ dreams come true and spark the next generation. The goal: inspire creativity and give young stars the space to shine. For Yana, the Young Fashion Show became exactly that.

There is a fire in her eyes — the kind of inner spark that reflects a true modeling spirit, one built on dedication, daily self-work, and growth in many different areas. Such confidence and aura never appear by accident; they come from commitment, discipline, and courage. And Yana embodies all of it. Always ready for challenges, she is open-hearted, energetic, artistic, joyful, and sincere. Her creativity shines everywhere: she dances, draws, plays clarinet in the school band, takes theater classes, plays volleyball — and now she has stepped confidently into fashion. 

With her confidence and charisma, Yana caught the attention of the well-known brand Lola + The Boys — a playful, high-quality kidswear label loved by celebrity children and designed for kids who want to express their individuality through fashion. The brand mixes bold colors, glitter, and unicorns to create fun, expressive outfits perfect for everything from the playground to the red carpet, and Yana beautifully brought this vibrant spirit to life on the runway.

Another highlight of Yana Turko’s debut is that she has been featured by the brand Stella M’Lia, which invited her to present its dresses on the runway. Stella M’Lia transforms runway trends from New York, Paris, and Milan into sophisticated, age-appropriate designs that highlight a girl’s natural elegance and inner confidence, empowering a new generation of young fashionistas to express themselves with confidence and grace.

This rising young star’s heart raced during her big runway debut — a dream she’d long hoped for. Her mother’s support, signing her up immediately, became her ticket to triumph. From there, Yana worked hard: training, rehearsals, working with mentors, meeting other young models, and feeling the true spirit of teamwork. It all inspired her and let her creativity shine.

Her mother says YFS had a huge impact: “She became more confident and learned so much about fashion. She realized fashion isn’t just clothes — it’s self-expression. She saw how designers, stylists, and photographers work together behind the scenes. Now her dreams are even bigger. The teamwork at YFS, the support, the energy — it all made her more motivated than ever.”

Participating in the Young Fashion Show transformed Yana. She’s more confident, expressive, and brave. Fashion became more than clothes — it’s art, personality, and courage. Seeing the creative process inspired her to dream bigger. Yana now wants to keep growing in this world, walk more runways, collaborate with designers, and maybe even create her own collection. She dreams of traveling, meeting new people, and inspiring others — just like YFS inspired her.

“Everything about the show amazed me — the organization, the professionalism, the catwalk, the decorations, the styling. It all felt like a top-level fashion week. Seeing how seriously everyone treated us was inspiring. The YFS team truly believes in us, in our potential and our dreams,” the young star shared.

For Yana and her fellow models, the Young Fashion Show is a powerful springboard for modeling and creative growth. Now, Yana is known in fashion and entertainment circles for her talent, drive, and ambition. There’s no doubt this young star will shine at many more shows — and beyond.

Meanwhile, the YFS team is already preparing the next event, ready to introduce America to more rising young stars. Remember: making kids’ dreams come true lays the foundation for a confident, creative future. Act. Create. Shine.