11 Year-Old South Florida Fashion Designer Shows Off Collection

NORTH BAY VILLAGE (CBS4)-- Age ain't nothing but a number for 11 year-old fashion designer Christopher Abella.

Last Thursday, Christopher, along with 3 adult designers, presented 8 of his very own couture dresses in a fashion show at Trios on the Bay in North Bay Village.

CBS4's own Lisa Petrillo strutted the runway in an iridescent gold gown that Christopher designed for her a few months ago when she visited him at The Doral Conservatory and School for the Arts.

"I felt like a movie star," said Petrillo of the dress, complete with blue beading and a mermaid bottom.

To tie together his collection of black-tie ball gowns, Christopher presented his first bridal gown, detailed with a beaded bodice.

Christopher's incredible talent and knack for fashion came together with a little help from project manager Katharine Biscardi who helped him transform his on-paper sketches into runway-ready dresses.

"I would take his sketches and turn them into working dresses with Chris saying yes, this is what I want," said Katharine.

All of the fabrics were donated, including a crème silk chiffon given by designer René Ruiz.

But this show is only Christopher's first step in the fashion industry.

"I want to travel to New York to be in fashion week and in Miami, I want to go to Paris, Italy and everywhere-- I want to make Miami right up there in the fashion world" he said.

With one show already under his belt, this 11 year-old is well on his way to doing just that.