Australian model Madeline Stuart is an inspiration to all. The 18-year-old model was born with Down Syndrome, but she isn't letting that stop her from chasing her dreams.
In May, Stuart opened up to Cosmopolitan about how she had plans to change the modeling world. At the time, she said she had hopes to one day do what actress Jamie Brewer was able to do. Brewer was the first person with Down Syndrome to ever walk the runway at New York Fashion Week, and Stuart wanted to follow in her footsteps. She hopes that "her modeling will help change society's view of people with Down Sydrome and that exposure will help to create acceptance in life" and now, her dream is coming true.
Last week, Stuart took to Instagram to announce the amazing news. "Guess who is modeling in NY for NY fashion week," she captioned the beautiful promo photo. She will be walking, and making a difference, on Sept. 13 for the American fashion label FTL Moda.
As if this news wasn't exicitng enough, she will also be a part of three new campaigns, according to Us Weekly. She will be the new face of EverMaya, which is an accessory brand, and she will also be coming out with her own line of handbags, which will be named after her. Five percent of the sales of her handbags wil go to the National Downs Syndrome Society. She has also signed a contract with the active wear line Mainifesta.
She's making a name for herself and has become instantly popular on social media over the past few months. She went viral earlier this year when photos of her modeling a swimsuit were posted to her Facebook. She had lost nearly 50 pounds, and before she knew it, she was getting a ton of international fashion requests.
"People with Down Syndrome can do anything," her mother Rosanne told BuzzFeed. "I think it's time people realized that people with Down Syndrome can be sexy and beautiful and should be celebrated. Things are changing every day and people are more accepting of what they don't understand."
As for her landing this huge role in NYFW, her mother couldn't be more proud. She knew she always had it in her, and finds it amazing to see her dreams become a reality.
"The thing I'd like people to take away from this is to not discriminate. Don't judge a book by its cover. I would just like people to accept, love, and show kindness," she told Cosmopolitan after finding out the good news. "She doesn't understand what discrimination is. I've never let her be exposed to it. If you can believe in yourself, you're going to hold your head higher. That's why people love Madeline. She will walk into a room and not judge anyone. I wish I could be more like my daughter."
Guess who is modelling in NY for NY fashion week xx
A photo posted by Madeline Stuart (@madelinesmodelling_) on Aug 11, 2015 at 5:30am PDT
