Moda Italia for Kids : MISS BLUMARINE, MONNALISA, FENDI and GUCCI KIDS - big smiles at the Pitti Bimbo in Florence

Milan is usually known as the fashion capital of Italy. However, Florence hosts all the big fashion trade fairs: for example, the Pitti Uomo for men, the Pitti Fragranze for fragrances and the Pitti Bimbo for kids.

The latter took place a few days ago and featured shows by MISS BLUMARINE, MONNALISA, FENDI and the new GUCCI kids collection. Forget tatty clothes confronted with the grit of the sandpit.

The mini professional models, aged between two and ten years old, transformed the Florentine catwalks into a glistening sea of fashion and presented the white dresses and striped shorts in front of wonderland-like sets.

There were plenty of tutus, lots of white and pink for the little ladies, casual cropped chinos for the boys.

Gucci modelled designs on their grown-up pieces and interspersed the collection with Lego pattern prints on ballerinas, wellies and t-shirts. A collection for children, who like to show off in partner looks with mummy and daddy.

A Miss Blumarine t-shirt print declares ‘I LOVE MISS’. The ‘Miss’ is bound to refer to Miss Blumarine. Or perhaps, it could also literally mean miss… as in I miss the sandpit?