Youth get stylish

  • Published
  • By Ellen Hatfield
  • 349th Air Mobility Wing Public Affairs
TRAVIS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. --  All was a flurry of hair styling, makeup and original fashion designs Dec. 12 at Travis Air Force Base, California, for the first Youth Fashion Competition.

Uniquka Christian, wife of Staff Sgt. Charles Christian, 60th Civil Engineer Squadron, developed a youth fashion organization in March 2014, Student Innovators and Creators of New Style, or ICON. She pitched the idea of the competition to the "Good Day Sacramento" morning show, they loved it and preparations got under way.

Three young designers spend months getting ready, sketching ideas, selecting fabrics and patterns, sewing and giving the designs their unique touches.

Jianna Timbol, 8, loves doing art. She watched videos to get ideas, knew what she wanted, and enlisted a little help from her grandmother with her sewing. "I love fashion, bright colors and different patterns," she said. All three of her designs for the show featured a favorite garment, a skirt, as well as vibrant colors and predominately, polka dots.

Jianna is the daughter of Staff Sgt. Dexter Timbol, 60th CES, and his wife, Janice.
Isabella Alvira, 10, said she wasn't always interested in fashion, but really wanted to be part of the fashion competition. "It's more of a hobby, I'm not sure I want to study it," she said. "But I do like patterns and bright colors." Her designs were colorful, with patterns including stars, flowers and ruffles. Her "Batman" themed costume was a scene stealer, modeled by a miniature model with an accomplished runway strut.

Isabella is the daughter of Tech. Sgt. Jorge Alvira, 348th Recruiting Squadron, Suisun City, and his wife Caroline, a nurse.

Makayla Bingham, 12, has wanted to be a fashion designer since she was a little girl. I like color, patterns, glitter, anything girly," she said. "I like to try anything that makes me unique." She said sewing is hard, but fun, so her mother helped her a little, although she has been sewing for a while. "It's a lot more fun when you're working with friends." She likes strapless dresses and tube tops, and favors skirts and dresses.

Her designs featured lace, bows and other feminine details. Her design reflecting her personal style was an elegant strapless dress with plaid details and a stunning diagonal cut skirt, perfect to welcome in 2016 New Year's Eve.

Makayla is the daughter of Tech. Sgt. Brandon Bingham, 60th Maintenance Squadron, and Staff Sgt. Jennifer Bingham, who is assigned to the base legal office.

The competition winner was the youngest competitor, Jianna Timbol. She won a new Project Runway computerized sewing machine. All three contestants were featured on the Dec. 16 edition of "Good Day Sacramento," and will showcase their creations live on air, in a mini fashion presentation for a segment featuring Christian's Student ICONS.

Although Christian soon departs Travis for Texas, she wants to continue the fashion competition yearly and would return to host it. She would like to start a chapter in the Dallas area. "It was an honor to have done it first here and help these young artists follow their dreams."