Never work with children and animals, goes the Hollywood saying.

But the modelling world functions differently, judging by how animals featured in Triumph's showcase, and a kids' fashion show was held at the SFF main tent last Sunday.

The lingerie label sent two doberman dogs down the runway, and had two models drape serpents over their shoulders.

But Jerome Awasthi, 27, the man who assisted in producing the kids' show, called The Little Runway, would argue that it's a lot easier to handle a couple of dogs and pythons than to send 75 children, aged between three and 12, down the runway.

Awasthi was overheard by Urban on the mike shouting in frustration: 'Stop playing, all of you. Keep quiet or I'll cancel you from the show.'

But not even that shut the tearaway tykes up.

Never mind the runway ruckus, backstage it was mayhem - a sea of children running amok, making faces, fighting and playing with their props.

Hair and make-up for the tiny tots began at 11am, but up till 3pm when the show - a joint project between kidswear store Kidstyle and Impact Models - was scheduled to start, final touch-ups were still being done.

One hapless crew member spent at least 15 minutes cooing, attempting to convince a boy to put on his scarf. He grinned and nodded in agreement multiple times, only to back away the second she reached towards him with the cloth. Later, he was spotted on the catwalk with an entirely different outfit.

The rowdy antics were not just confined to the pint-sized performers.

The spontaneity and unscripted boo-boos of the children got the crowd roaring with laughter. Two seats away, comedienne Patricia Mok couldn't stop saying 'So cute, so cute'.

Mistakes and all, Urban wouldn't have had it any other way.

This article was first published in Urban, The Straits Times on Apr 10, 2008.