By: Kelly Brown
The Biltmore Hotel in downtown Los Angeles is no stranger to star-studded moments. Pretty Woman, Spider-Man, and Ghostbusters were all filmed within its legendary walls. Marble, gilded details, and the atmosphere of old Hollywood set the scene, and that evening, another name stepped into the spotlight: Agastya Sayiri. Dressed in a crisp white tuxedo with a black collar, he walked onto the runway with the confidence of someone who had been preparing for the moment for years.
It was an evening of the Young Fashion Show, the biggest kids and teens fashion show tour in the USA. After previous stops in Chicago, New York, and Miami, the tour arrived in Los Angeles in August.
A Chance to Simply Try
According to Agastya’s mother, the family had long noticed his natural interest in style. He enjoys dressing well, loves posing for the camera, and can turn an ordinary walk into something that looks almost like a runway entrance. His parents, however, never wanted to push him into modeling. They simply gave him the opportunity to try.
What surprised them most was how naturally Agastya moved through the entire experience: rehearsals, fittings, photoshoots, backstage preparation, and finally his first professional runway appearance.
His mother says that confidence has always been part of his personality. Agastya has been curious, expressive, and open to new experiences from an early age. His parents consciously avoid telling him exactly how to behave or present himself, whether in modeling, music, or taekwondo. They prefer to guide rather than control, so he never feels that he has to change who he is in order to win someone else’s approval.
Behind the Scenes
Before the show, Agastya spent time meeting other young models, laughing, making friends, and, according to his mother, showing very little nervousness. He seemed to enjoy not only the idea of appearing in front of an audience, but the entire experience surrounding the show.
Then, when his turn came, the playful boy shifted almost instantly into a focused and confident young performer.
That contrast was what his mother remembered most.
His First Runway Walk
The moment Agastya stepped onto the runway, he did not search the audience for his parents. He stayed present, responded to the energy in the room, and finished his walk with his own signature pose.
According to his mother, the greatest source of pride was not the applause, but seeing her son believe in himself. For Agastya, the evening also became an early experience of independence, stepping into an important moment and trusting himself without his parents beside him.
A Look by Mini Me and Mama
For his runway appearance, Agastya wore a look from Mini Me and Mama, a European-style boutique offering elegant clothing for newborns, children, and adults.
That evening, the collection featured natural linen, coordinated family styling, and understated elegance.
Light, breathable fabrics, soft silhouettes, and comfortable pieces were designed to work naturally for both everyday life and special occasions. At the heart of the brand’s philosophy is the connection between generations, expressed through clothing.
Agastya’s white tuxedo was one of those looks that did not overpower the person wearing it. Instead, it highlighted his personality and presence on the runway.
“I Can Do This”
Agastya admits that he felt a little nervous before stepping out. But once he started walking, he focused only on enjoying the moment and doing his best.
One simple thought stayed in his mind:
“I can do this!”
He says waiting backstage was actually harder than walking the runway itself because he wanted his turn to come sooner. Once he finally stepped out, the nerves disappeared.
His favorite moment of the evening was his signature pose at the end of the walk.
And when asked whether he wants to return to the runway, his answer is immediate: yes. Next time, he says, he wants a new style and an even better pose.
Young Fashion Show: A Platform for the Next Generation
Young Fashion Show was founded in 2025 by Taras Lavrovskyi and Diana Hetun, a husband-and-wife team with extensive experience producing large-scale events in the United States and Europe. What began as a two-city project has grown into a four-city tour spanning Chicago, New York, Miami, and Los Angeles.
Among the founders’ other projects is the TOP USA Awards, a gala event that brought together more than 100 entrepreneurs and company CEOs representing businesses with more than $1 billion in combined revenue. Their work has been recognized by New York City Mayor Eric Adams for its cultural contribution, while Hollywood actors and industry figures including Chris Browning, Melora Hardin, Natasha Henstridge, and Ivanna Sakhno have appeared at their events.
Today, Young Fashion Show brings together hundreds of young models, their families, designers, fashion brands, photographers, beauty teams, production professionals, and partners. The runway features both children with modeling experience and those taking their first professional step, like Agastya.
A Place to Be Noticed
Young Fashion Show is increasingly becoming a platform where emerging talent can attract industry attention. Participants from previous shows have gone on to receive invitations for brand campaigns, commercial shoots, and additional fashion projects.
Designers, brands, and modeling-industry representatives also attend the shows in search of new faces for potential collaborations and future commercial opportunities.
At the same time, the value of the experience is not measured only by contracts or career opportunities. For a child, it is a chance to prepare professionally, experience the atmosphere of a large-scale production, perform in front of an audience, and discover how they feel in a new environment. For parents, it offers a structured setting where their child can explore modeling and decide whether they want to continue.
For some, it may become the beginning of a professional path. For others, it may remain a memorable childhood experience.
For Agastya Sayiri, that evening at the legendary Biltmore became his first major step. In front of hundreds of guests, he walked his first runway with the ease of someone who had done it many times before.
There are new looks, new stages, and new adventures ahead.
And for Agastya, this may be only the beginning.
Young Fashion Show will next return to Chicago with a special Christmas-themed edition, bringing the runway experience into a festive holiday setting. Applications are now open.
For more information, visit www.youngfashionshow.com or follow @young.fashion.show on Instagram.
