AREA CHILDREN MODEL CLOTHES FOR NATIONWIDE FASHION CATALOG

A 5-year-old Tia Long of Jackson looked adorable in a blue and beige jumper and tiny construction boots as she posed with three other preschoolers outside the Southeast Missourian building Friday.

But Tia, whose straight black hair was slicked back for the photography session, was shocked. "She put Jello in my hair!" the youngster said when the shoot was over.

It was true -- almost. Jolene Ducommun of Children's Apparel Services in Dallas did transform Tia, and Jordan Moore, Kristin Tollison and Brittney Spencer in her traveling glamour-studio Suburban. Tia got styling gel slathered through her hair.

Ducommun is working with Dallas fashion photographer Tim Quiring and Children's Bazaar to shoot a back-to-school fashion catalog in Cape Girardeau. The catalog will be distributed nationwide to children's stores like Children's Bazaar.

Photo sessions are scheduled Saturday, Sunday and Monday at sites throughout the Cape Girardeau County, including a 107-year-old farm in Millersville, the covered bridge at Burfordville and Arena Park. On Friday, pictures were taken at Southeast Missouri State University and outside the newspaper office.

Judy Wilferth, owner of Children's Bazaar, said 59 local models were selected to wear clothing featured in the catalog during a model shoot conducted by Children's Bazaar. More than 800 applications were picked up.

The models were selected by the staff of Children's Apparel Services. The children had to fit the sample clothing for the catalog.

"They had to pick the cutest kids in the sizes we had,' Wilferth said. "We had so many darling toddlers apply, but we only had three toddler outfits," she explained. So just three toddlers were selected.

Every site and photograph is preplanned for the catalog. The catalog features back-to-school and fall fashions, and Quiring has to be careful not to show the bright spring foliage.

"The kids have been great to work with," Quiring said. "We didn't want a model look. We wanted a fresh kid approach. I think we've got it."

Finding fall shoes to complement the fashions and fit the children was another challenge for the middle of May, Wilferth said. But a couple pairs of construction boots, a pair of blue suede T-strap shoes and some plaid tennis shoes did the trick for the 4- and 5-year-old girls photographed Friday.

Four-year-old Jordan Moore said she had spent a long time getting her long blond hair fixed. "I'm going to get my picture taken," she said. "I don't know why." But Jordan didn't really care. And within an hour, it was all over.

The parents, who tagged along, said they entered the contest to give their children a fun experience, not to launch a modeling career -- but one never knows.