Junior Style Awards 2026

The Junior Style Awards is an annual, nonprofit initiative founded by Junior Style Editor-in-Chief, Aleksandra Ataca. Created to spotlight the outstanding achievements within the children’s fashion industry, the Awards recognize the individuals and brands whose creativity, vision, and dedication set new standards year after year.

Junior Style Awards

A Distinctive Celebration of Excellence in Children’s Fashion

The Junior Style Awards proudly returns for its second year, reaffirming its place as a prestigious annual nonprofit initiative dedicated to celebrating outstanding achievements in the children’s fashion industry.

Founded by Aleksandra Ataca, Editor-in-Chief of Junior Style, the Awards were created to elevate the voices, talent, and innovation within the global kids’ fashion community. This unique platform recognizes the artistry, dedication, and creative vision that shape the industry today.

From visionary designers and beloved brands to talented models, photographers, stylists, makeup artists, influencers, and content creators, the Junior Style Awards spotlight the individuals and teams whose contributions move the world of children’s fashion forward.

This year, we are excited to host a live awards ceremony on July 26 in New York, featuring special hosts. All shortlisted nominees will be invited to attend*. To ensure fairness, attendance will not influence the outcome—winners will still be announced online—but we would love to celebrate your achievements in person!

*Please note that travel expenses are not covered.

What Sets Us Apart?

Open & Inclusive
True to its founding values, the Junior Style Awards remains free to enter and is open to all eligible participants—whether emerging or established—whose work contributes meaningfully to the children’s fashion industry.

Nomination Process
Participants may nominate themselves or put forward others whose work deserves recognition across our carefully selected categories.

Esteemed Judging Panel
Winners are chosen by a distinguished jury of industry experts, ensuring every accolade reflects genuine excellence and impact.

Community Voice
Through our open voting system, we engage the wider Junior Style community, giving everyone a chance to support their favorites—also a fantastic marketing opportunity for shortlisted nominees.

Childrens Perspective Matters
This year, we proudly bring back our highly successful Kids’ Ambassador Panel—a thoughtful group of young fashion enthusiasts whose insights add an important dimension to the final decisions. In an industry inspired by them, children’s voices truly matter.

The Junior Style Awards is more than a celebration—it is a statement of recognition, inclusion, and inspiration for the global children’s fashion industry.

Junior Style Awards 2026

When Does Voting Close?

Final results will be announced on July 25, 2026, at the awards ceremony in New York and on juniorstyle.net.

What Happens If I Win?

Being shortlisted or winning a Junior Style Award is a prestigious recognition of excellence in the children’s fashion industry.

Exclusive Winner Assets
All shortlisted participants and winners will receive the official Junior Style Awards logo to use across digital and print media—a mark of distinction within the industry.

Physical Prize for Ceremony Attendees
Winners who attend the New York awards ceremony will receive a special physical award, a tangible symbol of their achievement to display proudly.

Feature on JuniorStyle.net
Winners will be prominently featured on our website, giving your work visibility across our global platform.

Invitation to Celebrate in New York
All shortlisted nominees are invited to the exclusive Junior Style Awards ceremony in New York.*

Ongoing Recognition
Throughout the year, winners will have opportunities to be featured in Junior Style projects, editorials, interviews, and special campaigns—keeping your work in the spotlight long after the awards.

*Please note that travel expenses are not covered.

How Will the Awards Be Judged?

To ensure fairness, credibility, and industry relevance, the Junior Style Awards are evaluated through a multi-tiered judging process:

  1. Shortlisting by Junior Style Team
    All nominations are first reviewed and shortlisted by the Junior Style team based on creativity, originality, and relevance to the children’s fashion industry.
  2. Industry Expert Jury
    A distinguished panel of professionals—including editors, photographers, stylists, and brand consultants—evaluates shortlisted entries with a focus on innovation, impact, and excellence.
  3. Community Voting
    The wider Junior Style community is invited to vote, amplifying public voices and highlighting audience favorites.
  4. KidsAmbassador Panel
    A specially selected group of Kids Ambassadors provides their collective opinion on shortlisted entries, ensuring children’s perspectives are represented—because their voices matter.

This layered process guarantees a fair, balanced, and inclusive celebration of the industry’s very best.

Girls holding award
Boy holding award

Who Can Vote?

Voting is open to everyone and plays a vital role in the awards process.

  • Public Voting
Once the shortlist is announced, the Junior Style community around the world is invited to vote for their favorites in each category.
  • One Vote Per Category
Each person may cast one vote per category to ensure fairness and authenticity.
  • Where to Vote
Voting will take place online via juniorstyle.net. Follow us on social media and subscribe to our newsletter to be notified when voting opens.
  • Fair Voting Policy
While we encourage nominees to rally support and engage their fans, our dedicated team will be monitoring all activity to ensure a fair and transparent voting process. Any evidence of cheating or manipulation will result in immediate disqualification of the entry.

How to Nominate or be Nominated

Nominating is simple, open, and free of charge.

  • Self-Nomination:
If you believe your work deserves recognition, you are welcome to submit yourself in any relevant category.
  • Nominate Others:
You can also nominate your favorite brand, model, photographer, stylist, or creative professional whose work you admire.
  • Submission Process:
Complete the official nomination form available on our website. Be sure to include all required details such as name, category, and examples of work (e.g. website, portfolio, or social media links). Nominations will be accepted until the announced deadline.

The Judging Panel

Central to the awards are the esteemed panel of judges, a group of industry leaders and tastemakers whose expertise and discernment ensure that the most deserving are celebrated. These judges bring a wealth of experience and a keen eye for innovation, setting the standard for creativity and excellence in children’s fashion.

Industry Expert Jury

Aleksandra Ataca

Aleksandra Ataca

Aleksandra Ataca, a visionary leader and the founder of this prestigious initiative. As the Editor-in-Chief and Owner of Junior Style, Aleksandra has spent over a decade shaping the landscape of children’s fashion, offering unmatched exposure and creative direction to emerging and established brands alike.

Her journey began at just 17, rooted in a deep passion for fashion, journalism, and storytelling. Today, she is recognized as one of the most influential voices in the kids’ fashion industry. Under her leadership, Junior Style has grown into the largest global platform dedicated to children’s fashion, celebrating individuality, innovation, and community.

Beyond her editorial work, Aleksandra is the founder of Alexandra Concept Corp, a boutique marketing agency specializing in the kids’ fashion and lifestyle niche. Her multifaceted expertise spans image-making, styling, brand consulting, fashion photography, and event production—making her a driving force in shaping trends and elevating young talent around the world.

Through the Junior Style Awards, Aleksandra continues her mission to spotlight excellence, empower creativity, and foster meaningful connections across the global children’s fashion community.

Tiphaine Macrez

Tiphaine Macrez

CEO & Founder Kidding Presse

In 2004, Tiphaine Macrez realized that something was happening in the world of children. New talents were emerging and, like the media at the time, she discovered a real passion for this market that was undergoing a period of renaissance.

After 10 years experience in communication and press relations for the big names of fashion, she took the plunge and opened her own press office…, her second home!

After a master’s degree in business law Tiphaine enrolled in the Institut Français de la Mode (French Fashion Institute), because life is also about doing what you love!

She is driven by a naturally gregarious nature and a keen eye for creativity, whatever form it takes.

Anastasia Gotsis

Anastasia Gotsis

Anastasia Gotsis is a visionary retail buyer with nearly seven years of experience driving growth and innovation across both luxury and off-price sectors. As the leader of the Kids’ Shoes, Toys, and Gifting categories at Bloomingdale’s, she has not only revitalized legacy assortments but also championed sustainability in the retail space. With a sharp eye for product and a deep commitment to conscious consumption, Anastasia is at the forefront of bringing circular and ethically minded brands to a new generation of Bloomingdale’s customers — reshaping what responsible retail looks like in a modern luxury environment.

Jean-Hugues Dubo

Jean-Hugues Dubo

Head of PR France & International Kidding Presse.

After studying fashion design at the École de Condé, followed by training in web and motion design, digital marketing , Jean Hugues has worked as a fashion press officer for 20 years for designers and numerous international brands. His career has also led him to host television programmes on the latest trends, advising individuals as a Personal Shopper and writing opinion pieces for online media and magazines.

Passionate about Art in all its forms, he is also a keen horticulturist and loves to cultivate his garden.

Julia Stratmann

Julia Stratmann

As Head of Trends and Insights at Livetrend, Julia Stratmann decodes cultural shifts and market data to help brands future-proof their collections. She specializes in spotting emerging trends and translating them into tangible commercial product directions. Prior experience includes design roles at Isabel Marant and Hugo Boss, which sharpened her eye for successful designs and now helps her anticipate best-sellers for her clients.
Virginia Zingone

Virginia Zingone

Virginia Zingone is the founder and director of Children’s Show, an international trade show held twice a year in New York. The show features elevated kids’ fashion and lifestyle brands across various categories. Virginia comes from a distinguished lineage of entrepreneurs in the children’s fashion realm, representing the fourth generation of a family legacy that began in Naples and flourished in Rome, with multi-brand stores spanning Italy and the globe since 1896. Italian at heart, Virginia finds her inspiration in New York, where she lives today.

Shoshana Kazab

Shoshana Kazab

Shoshana Kazab is a seasoned expert in PR and marketing, boasting over 20 years of experience in the luxury kids’ fashion industry. As the co-founder and CEO of Kidswear Collective, she leads the award-winning luxury resale platform for baby and kids’ fashion. Shosh is also the visionary behind Fuse Communications, the leading PR agency for luxury baby and kids’ brands. Her influence extends further as she serves on the council at the NCWA (National Childrenswear Association), funded by UKFT.

Beatriz Juárez

Beatriz Juárez

Beatriz Juárez is the Founder and CEO of MILK Comunicación, a Madrid-based agency specialising in PR, influencer relations and creative communications for children’s fashion and lifestyle brands.
 
For more than 20 years, she has worked within the communications industry, developing strategies that connect brands with media, stylists, creators and international audiences. In 2017, she founded MILK Comunicación, which has become a recognized agency within the children’s fashion sector, working with brands across Spain, France, Italy, the UK and the US.
 
Her expertise lies in building meaningful visibility for brands through storytelling, editorial relationships and creative brand experiences.
Naomi Sally Santangelo

Naomi Sally Santangelo

An International Creative Vision. Born in Vienna in 1987 and raised between Austria, the Amalfi Coast, and a life of extensive international travel, Naomi Sally Santangelo has developed a distinctive creative perspective shaped by diverse cultures and experiences. After completing her international studies, she graduated with honors in Communication Sciences before embarking on a dynamic career in fashion, media, and production. In 2010, Naomi founded Casting Kids Studios, which has grown into one of Italy’s leading agencies specializing in children’s model management. As CEO, Casting Director, and Creative Director, she has played a pivotal role in discovering and developing talent while shaping innovative campaigns for the fashion industry. Today, Naomi Sally Santangelo is a partner at Santangelo Media Studios and the founder of Casting Kids Studios. Her work seamlessly merges fashion, casting, photography, and creative direction into a unique international vision. Through her projects and carefully curated Instagram presence, she continues to inspire audiences with a distinctive aesthetic and an innovative approach to visual storytelling.
Samia Khan

Samia Khan

With over 30 years at the forefront of the global FMCG industry, Samia Khan is a brand architect and growth strategist renowned for her instinctive eye for standout brands and commercial opportunities. She has built, launched, and revitalized businesses through a unique blend of creative vision, sharp market insight, and hands on leadership. Her passion for mentoring and empowering teams consistently drives exceptional results and breakthrough growth—always with a focus on what’s next and what’s possible.

Kids’ Ambassador Panel

Niky

Niky Era @niky.era

Niky is a 9-year-old fashion enthusiast whose passion for style and creativity began at the age of six. As the youngest of five children, he has developed a strong sense of individuality that is reflected in his love for fashion, photo shoots, and runway modeling.
 
Throughout his young career, Niky has had the opportunity to walk in prestigious fashion events, including Paris Fashion Week, shows at the Palais de Tokyo in Paris.
 
Known for his creativity and confidence, Niky enjoys designing and styling his own outfits, often bringing original ideas to life while staying true to his personal aesthetic.
 
Most recently, he launched his own clothing brand and designed his first signature T-shirt, featuring a distinctive jewel-embellished collar detail. Through fashion, Niky continues to express his creativity, entrepreneurial spirit, and passion for design, making him an inspiring young talent and a valued voice among the next generation of fashion leaders.
Emma

Emma Bokok @Emma_bobok

Finding the perfect balance between the grit of a tennis court and the elegance in front of a lens isn’t for everyone—but for Emma, it comes naturally. Dynamic, passionate, and endlessly creative, she embraces every opportunity with confidence and authenticity. Whether she is competing on the court or creating content for her audience, Emma brings the same determination, energy, and unique perspective to everything she does.

As a model, influencer, and content creator, Emma doesn’t simply follow trends—she reimagines them through her own distinctive lens, transforming every photoshoot into a story and every challenge into an opportunity for growth. Her natural charisma, strong work ethic, and genuine connection with her audience have made her a standout young talent in the fashion and lifestyle space.

Emma’s impact was recognized early when she became the very first recipient of the Junior Style Award for Best Kid Blogger, a milestone that marked the beginning of an exciting journey and established her as one of the most influential young voices in the Junior Style community.

Today, Emma continues to inspire a new generation of young creatives, proving that passion, perseverance, and authenticity are the keys to making a lasting impression—both on and off the court.

Haven

Haven Krys (@Haven.Krys)

Haven is a prominent young figure in the industry with achievements spanning from the runway to the movie set. With experience in fashion, acting, music, hosting, and interviewing she brings a fresh yet informed perspective to the table. Haven has been named a Top 10 Model, has been featured by elite publications such as Elle and Harper’s Bazaar, and has a global reach after modeling in Paris, Italy, Canada and the US. She has also hosted major children’s fashion events and interviewed notable international luxury brands. Haven is known for the professionalism, confidence and creativity she brings to each and every project.

Awards Supported By

 

Want to support the Junior Style Awards? Contact info@juniorstyle.net for supporter opportunities.