“When I’m on Project Runway, I’ll be able to tell them that my first fashion show was when I was 9,” Annabelle announced the other day.

Ah, youth. Although I’m not sure I was that confident at any age. For Annabelle it’s not “if,” it’s “when.” And I hope it always stays that way. If Saturday’s any indication, who knows — it could happen.

We piled in the car on a wickedly hot fall afternoon and headed for Grand Avenue — a sketchy stretch of Phoenix appropriated by some artsy types who were throwing a festival, which included a “trash fashion show.” Kids were encouraged to attend, so I told the girls about it.

Sophie wasn’t interested in designing, and Annabelle had no desire to be on the runway (neither did her friend Katie, who happened to be over for a playdate when this all came up) so it was decided that Sophie would model the older girls’ design. I paid the $10 fee and I think we were all a little nervous. (At one point, envisioning a Project Runway-like grilling, Annabelle almost chickened out, til I assured her there would be no judging.)

In the end, it was a magical (if hot) afternoon. The entry fee covered hair and makeup by “professionals,” there were dozens of other “models” (and only a couple other kids) milling around backstage, acting very model-y in their shredded newspaper dresses and some more bizarre get-ups, and everyone was super-nice to the girls. (Special thanks to Courtney, Super Sitter, who helped execute Annabelle’s trash bag design.)

Sophie, who had practiced several different runway walks, was quite the model. Like I said, magical.

The pictures say it better than I can.