Apollo girl headed to NY Fashion Week
Sophia Gerardi started kindergarten last month at Apollo Ridge Elementary School but is more familiar with a runway than a hallway.
This spunky 6-year-old from Apollo just landed a coveted modeling gig at New York's Fashion Week, booked to represent Catimini in the Best of France event in Times Square this weekend.
A veteran pageant competitor with over 30 competitions under her sash, she currently holds the title USA National Miss Pennsylvania Jr. Princess.
The daughter of Chris and Deborah Gerardi and little sister to brother Anthony, Sophia stepped onto the competitive stage at the tender age of 14 months.
Sophia won so many trophies, sashes, crowns and medals that she donated 20 crowns to a local charity pageant, kept a few in her room to play with and stored the rest in the family home attic.
“The stage is no big deal to her,” says Deborah Gerardi, herself a pageant competitor back in the day. “She doesn't get nervous and really loves it. People would always tell us that we should get her into modeling, and we thought the pageant world would allow for connections to the modeling world.”
Sophia's style is “all about the sass,” and her confidence and beauty are evident in her modeling ad campaigns as CCandy Clothing, MLB Clothing, Zulily and Amazon for KidCuteTure.
Sophia recently made her first trip to New York to meet with designer reps from Catimini. She had wardrobe fittings and a chance to show them her runway walk.
“After the show, she is looking forward to checking out NYC and visiting the American Doll Store and Toys R Us,” Gerardi says.
A pageant performance in Harrisburg caught the eye of a modeling scout, and Sophia has been earning a paycheck ever since.
“I like to wear the nice clothes, have my hair and makeup done, and being on stage is fun,” Sophia says. “Not so fun is having those hot rollers in my hair. They make my head itchy.”
Her biggest modeling challenge?
“Long car rides” Sophia says.
Sophia's modeling coach is Heather Habura, who runs a modeling studio in North Huntingdon.
Sophia will strut the catwalk with 30 other children and adults on an outdoor stage being constructed on Broadway between 48th and 49th Streets. L'oreal will style her hair for fashion week and Sophia will model the most current fashions from Catimini during four shows. She will participate in a red-carpet interview hosted by Fashion Magazine after the show.
Joyce Hanz is a contributing writer for Trib Total Media.
