Gingersnaps Turns 20!

WARNING! Stage Mother ahead!

Ahihihi. Yes, that little girl wearing the furry jacket, tweed & tulle dress and knee high boots is none other than our very own Donya Beriray, seen here on the catwalk with Princess Faith, who happens to be the Gingersnaps Model Search People's Choice Winner.

It's the Donya and the Princess, together.

You can just imagine how thrilled "I" was, yes me, when my friend Sherry Yu invited Berry to join their anniversary fashion show. It was a once in a lifetime opportunity, and something that Berry can look back to when she grows older. Imagine being able to say, "I modeled for Gingersnaps when I was little". Kilig!

Of course, when I told Berry that she was going to model for Gingersnaps, she wasted no time in telling her tutors, Teacher Mike and Teacher Mayette, and her Teacher Marga, and everyone who would care to listen that she was a "model". Too funny.

Xavi thought he was going to model too. He loved walking around the "catwalk" during rehearsals, and was walking up and down the catwalk after the show. Here he is looking dapper in Gingersnaps, while waiting for the show to start. I realized I should have made him wear his bow tie, heehee.

Of course, Dada was there to see Berry on stage too. Just look at my handsome dates, heehee.

I would have to agree with Daphne Osena-Paez, who hosted the show, when she said how Gingersnaps has become such a huge part of our lives. 

We love to dress up our kids in Gingersnaps, and isn't it always a thrill receiving a Gingersnaps gift box? It seems no birthday celebration is complete without our kids wearing Gingersnaps, or receiving Gingersnaps from family & friends.

Jerry Uy, President of Gingersnaps, shared how they started Gingersnaps as a mall kiosk in Robinson's Galleria in 1994. 20 years later, they have become a widely recognized children's clothing retailer with 38 department store corners, and 77 boutiques here in the Philippines, Thailand, Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates. Truly inspiring.

Credit really goes to this power couple who make such a great team. 

Jerry Uy is the business guy, while his wife Sabrina, Creative Director of Gingersnaps, is in charge of designing all the clothes we see in the stores.

She is as hands on with the design process then as she is today, sharing with us how they really look at everything, from how the fabrics feel, to how the clothes fit, just to make sure all Gingersnaps clothes are as comfortable to wear as they are cute.

As a huge fan of Gingersnaps, from back when my sister Nicole was a little girl, I was more than happy to be part of their AVP. I've been a fan for 20 years too, so much so that I even saved my sister's top because it was just too pretty to give away. I think it will fit Berry soon. That's how well made Gingersnaps clothes are.

In fact, when we were living in Singapore, I would buy gifts at Gingersnaps to give to Berry's friends, proudly telling the moms that the clothes are by a homegrown Filipino brand.

And now, back to Beriray. Sorry, I couldn't help but snap away as she did her walk!

It was such a thrill to see her on stage! We were still waiting in anticipation for her to come out during the final walk, even if we've already seen her the first time.

I felt like clapping, crying and smiling all at once. We were so proud, heehee. All the more I am sure for the parents of the 10 kids who bested 3000 entries and made it to the Gingersnaps Model Search finals. Presenting the Gingersnaps Model Search winners:

 Jacob D. Hyatt, Emilia Isabelle A. Ramirez, Ananda Lucia J. Sadhwani, David D. Young and Jean Clarence F. Santos

Nicholas James Almendral, Maiko Saori T. Bo, Jolijn A. Van Etten, Llewelyn Lee Victor Casino, Ystelle Amanda M. Gaboriault

All such gorgeous kids, as with the other adorable models styled by none other than Pam Quinones.

Thank you so much again Sherry for an experience like no other!

Sherry Yu, Gingersnaps Marketing Manager, with event host, Daphne Osena-Paez

Congratulations again Sabrina and Jerry! What an amazing feat!

Thank you for making clothes that we want our kids to wear. Thank you for giving us so many options when we go inside a Gingersnaps store. Thanks for making our kids look chic and cute, and still dressing them to look like they are the kids they are.

Here's to 20 more years! And 20 more years after that, and after that and so on. I can totally see my grandkids will be wearing Gingersnaps too!

The Gingersnaps 20th Anniversary Fashion Show was also made possible with Cycles, Cycles Sensitive, Cradle and Solar Entertainment (2nd Avenue) who sponsored the event.