Teen With Down Syndrome Will Walk At New York Fashion Week
When we last wrote about Madeline Stuart, the 18-year-old Australian model with Down syndrome, she had just landed her first major modeling contract. Now, this talented young lady has announced that she’s going to walk in the New York Fashion Week with MODA in association with the Christopher Reeve Foundation this fall. Stuart will be the second model with Down syndrome, after Jamie Brewer, to participate in the event.
“I would just like people to accept, love, and show kindness,” Madeline’s mother Rosanne told Cosmo, when asked what she wanted people to take away from her daughter’s work. “The modeling is fun and everything, but it’s just a vehicle to get the message out. I think that’s why she’s done so well, is because this isn’t about us. It’s about fighting the fight for all the people out there that are a bit different that need to be loved.”
More info: madelinestuart.com | Facebook | Instagram | Twitter (h/t: cosmopolitan)
Madeline is an 18-year-old with Down syndrome who always wanted to be a model
She decided to lose 44lbs (20kg) to keep healthy, and began to pursue her dream
Madeline got her first break earlier this year when she signed with modelling agency Manifesta
And then came the big news: she would walk in the New York Fashion Week this fall
“The world was ready,” says Madeline’s mom Rosanne
“The world wants to be inclusive, it just hasn’t had anyone on such a platform that they were able to do it easily”
“Imagine in 10 years what society will be like for people with disabilities”
“Everyone’s going to want that friend to teach them what true love is”
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Share on FacebookWhat bothers me about this, is that they let her try as a model BECAUSE she has Downs, and people are afraid not to be inclusive or whatever. Have any of you given a thought to all the people out there who wants to be models, but have too much body weight, or not the right face? Do they get to try, simply because they are enthusiastic and have "a great personality and a beautiful heart"? Nah. Because they don't have Downs. Seriously people, if we are going to be inclusive, we should include EVERYONE and give EVERYONE who wants to a chance. Not only those who have special disabilities.
Ok hold the phone. Dove for example has started using models of all sizes, this website has posted loads of articles on "how clothing looks on all body types", and there are plenty of stores that have plus size clothing that use plus size models. There is a huge movement for including models without photoshop and with different body sizes. No she didn't get this position because she has downs syndrome. My friend has down syndrome and she isn't a model even if she wants to be. Madeline worked hard to move into this position. She does not look like the average model and that is what should be encouraged. Yes she has a disability, but she is breaking the "normal" model mold. You are completely right that if we are going to be inclusive EVERYONE should have a chance, but sadly an idea that progressive cannot happen all at once. If one person is being included in this industry, (be it disability, weight, race, or gender) that is a step in the right direction for everyone having a chance.
Load More Replies...If a woman with Down Syndrome works very hard to be fit and lean and then becomes a model she is an inspiration to others. If a woman without Down Syndrome works very hard to be fit and lean and then becomes a model she is an example of an unrealistic body image that makes women feel bad. Think about that one for a sec.
This is pure logic. There is sympathy towards disabilities because it makes people feel better about being ' good'. 'Normal' people doesn't feel threatened by the standar this girl is setting, makes them dream about ' oh, maybe I'm not that bad/ugly/unlucky,etc. afteall. I have a chance'; and that's not realistic. With that said, I think Madeline IS A GOOD MODEL. Look at her pictures, they convey beauty, they have nice angles, there is an intention. She is doing her job the rigth way, and that is really inclusive. Who knows if she is the first girl with Down Syndrome who tries to be a model, maybe there were some before and they didn't got to do it cause they couldn't do the job.
Load More Replies...She is so beautiful and her story is amazing I would love to meet her not because she is famous but because of her pure character
I think it is a good thing for her to be able to do what she wants but the modeling industry has always had strict rules for their models and excluded so many people before. It is unfortunate that so many have been ignored and not hired because they were an inch too short or 10 lbs too heavy, yet now if you have any type of personal struggle that garners attention they push them to the front of the list. I think it is about media attention and not about her dream or a realist future for her in modeling.
I am glad young people with disabilities are doing the jobs they want to do and not doing the jobs other people are forcing them to do
She is stunningly beautiful :) I would love to see her modelling clothes, not because she has downs but because she's pleasing on the eyes :)
I get that definitely a part of her making it as a model is her Downs, but who cares? Nearly all runway models are chosen for something very unique that they have which isn't commonly shared. They like picking models with completely round and small faces, or African Americans with afros, or someone incredibly pale. Chances are, you share a characteristic or two of some of these models and now that a girl with Downsyndrome is a model, it's just something else that's unique yet similar to those have Downs. I think everyone has known someone with Downs and they are by far the best people. They're sweet and funny and really love things. They have talents like anyone else, and Madeline's seems to be modelling. She was determined to lose the weight she needed to firstly, and if you just look at her pictures they're great. I have a friend who's really pretty but that has NEVER been conveyed through a picture, and Madeline's beauty is obvious in these pics, which is a MODEL'S talent
nu cred ca va zic ceva nou daca va zic ca majoritatea americanilor sunt prosti si usor de manipulat de catre mass media :))
She is wonderful. I'm so happy her mum didn't abort her. Stop racism with disabled people. They are happy to live!
I think it might be harder for average people to understand how important this really is. I also think she was picked because she has down syndrome but can you imagine what it must be like to NEVER see anyone who looks remotely like you modeling clothes? In movies? Professional singers? I think it's great! To me it's no different than having all ethnicities represented. She worked hard to get in shape, which is hard for anyone, to persue this dream and it paid off. I'm really happy to continue seeing people from all walks of life representing clothing lines rather than the typical size zero photoshopped models.
i agree linda, give everyone a chance is only fair. even though she is very pretty. all should be included
Some of the comments are based upon the assumption that Madeline is breaking into the haute couture fashion and modeling industry. There are so many other modeling industry profiles out there and her appearances are clearly shown to be at these events. http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/ftl-moda-announces-its-selection-of-designers-for-the-upcoming-ss2016-presentation-at-nyfw-300125412.html There is much discussion about plus size models needing to be included yet these already are part of the fashion industry, especially in Australia ...and someone already mentioned the Dove campaign. Voluptuous and plus size models such as Megan Gale, Tess Holiday and Robyn Lawley are already famous main-stream fashion models that would never fit within the waif-like mold so many assume is the only type of models making money. Google the names, especially Tess, and you'll see most have been featured in Vogue already.
Regardless of what conditions people may or may not have, we are all beautiful and special inside and out.
Load More Replies...If she were born with downs, brown and poor...would this have happened? She's still benefiting from a level of privilege. Food for thought.
What bothers me about this, is that they let her try as a model BECAUSE she has Downs, and people are afraid not to be inclusive or whatever. Have any of you given a thought to all the people out there who wants to be models, but have too much body weight, or not the right face? Do they get to try, simply because they are enthusiastic and have "a great personality and a beautiful heart"? Nah. Because they don't have Downs. Seriously people, if we are going to be inclusive, we should include EVERYONE and give EVERYONE who wants to a chance. Not only those who have special disabilities.
Ok hold the phone. Dove for example has started using models of all sizes, this website has posted loads of articles on "how clothing looks on all body types", and there are plenty of stores that have plus size clothing that use plus size models. There is a huge movement for including models without photoshop and with different body sizes. No she didn't get this position because she has downs syndrome. My friend has down syndrome and she isn't a model even if she wants to be. Madeline worked hard to move into this position. She does not look like the average model and that is what should be encouraged. Yes she has a disability, but she is breaking the "normal" model mold. You are completely right that if we are going to be inclusive EVERYONE should have a chance, but sadly an idea that progressive cannot happen all at once. If one person is being included in this industry, (be it disability, weight, race, or gender) that is a step in the right direction for everyone having a chance.
Load More Replies...If a woman with Down Syndrome works very hard to be fit and lean and then becomes a model she is an inspiration to others. If a woman without Down Syndrome works very hard to be fit and lean and then becomes a model she is an example of an unrealistic body image that makes women feel bad. Think about that one for a sec.
This is pure logic. There is sympathy towards disabilities because it makes people feel better about being ' good'. 'Normal' people doesn't feel threatened by the standar this girl is setting, makes them dream about ' oh, maybe I'm not that bad/ugly/unlucky,etc. afteall. I have a chance'; and that's not realistic. With that said, I think Madeline IS A GOOD MODEL. Look at her pictures, they convey beauty, they have nice angles, there is an intention. She is doing her job the rigth way, and that is really inclusive. Who knows if she is the first girl with Down Syndrome who tries to be a model, maybe there were some before and they didn't got to do it cause they couldn't do the job.
Load More Replies...She is so beautiful and her story is amazing I would love to meet her not because she is famous but because of her pure character
I think it is a good thing for her to be able to do what she wants but the modeling industry has always had strict rules for their models and excluded so many people before. It is unfortunate that so many have been ignored and not hired because they were an inch too short or 10 lbs too heavy, yet now if you have any type of personal struggle that garners attention they push them to the front of the list. I think it is about media attention and not about her dream or a realist future for her in modeling.
I am glad young people with disabilities are doing the jobs they want to do and not doing the jobs other people are forcing them to do
She is stunningly beautiful :) I would love to see her modelling clothes, not because she has downs but because she's pleasing on the eyes :)
I get that definitely a part of her making it as a model is her Downs, but who cares? Nearly all runway models are chosen for something very unique that they have which isn't commonly shared. They like picking models with completely round and small faces, or African Americans with afros, or someone incredibly pale. Chances are, you share a characteristic or two of some of these models and now that a girl with Downsyndrome is a model, it's just something else that's unique yet similar to those have Downs. I think everyone has known someone with Downs and they are by far the best people. They're sweet and funny and really love things. They have talents like anyone else, and Madeline's seems to be modelling. She was determined to lose the weight she needed to firstly, and if you just look at her pictures they're great. I have a friend who's really pretty but that has NEVER been conveyed through a picture, and Madeline's beauty is obvious in these pics, which is a MODEL'S talent
nu cred ca va zic ceva nou daca va zic ca majoritatea americanilor sunt prosti si usor de manipulat de catre mass media :))
She is wonderful. I'm so happy her mum didn't abort her. Stop racism with disabled people. They are happy to live!
I think it might be harder for average people to understand how important this really is. I also think she was picked because she has down syndrome but can you imagine what it must be like to NEVER see anyone who looks remotely like you modeling clothes? In movies? Professional singers? I think it's great! To me it's no different than having all ethnicities represented. She worked hard to get in shape, which is hard for anyone, to persue this dream and it paid off. I'm really happy to continue seeing people from all walks of life representing clothing lines rather than the typical size zero photoshopped models.
i agree linda, give everyone a chance is only fair. even though she is very pretty. all should be included
Some of the comments are based upon the assumption that Madeline is breaking into the haute couture fashion and modeling industry. There are so many other modeling industry profiles out there and her appearances are clearly shown to be at these events. http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/ftl-moda-announces-its-selection-of-designers-for-the-upcoming-ss2016-presentation-at-nyfw-300125412.html There is much discussion about plus size models needing to be included yet these already are part of the fashion industry, especially in Australia ...and someone already mentioned the Dove campaign. Voluptuous and plus size models such as Megan Gale, Tess Holiday and Robyn Lawley are already famous main-stream fashion models that would never fit within the waif-like mold so many assume is the only type of models making money. Google the names, especially Tess, and you'll see most have been featured in Vogue already.
Regardless of what conditions people may or may not have, we are all beautiful and special inside and out.
Load More Replies...If she were born with downs, brown and poor...would this have happened? She's still benefiting from a level of privilege. Food for thought.
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