Madeline Stuart is taking the fashion world by storm. The 19-year-old model with Down Syndrome first made headlines when she walked the catwalk during New York Fashion Week, but now the model is being talked about once again thanks to a new bridal photoshoot shot by photographer Sarah Houston.
The photoshoot shows the model wearing three different wedding dresses, all designed by Ava Laurenne Bridal. The pictures were taken at the Rixey Manor in Northern Virginia, a popular bed and breakfast location that also doubles as a wedding venue. The owner of the B&B, Isadora Martin-Dye, wanted to do a promotional wedding style photoshoot, but wanted to stray from the traditional pictures which are seen all over social media and bridal magazines.
"People think about their wedding their whole lives. When you actually get engaged, all you see are pictures of these perfect serene, skinny, women. And while it helps build a brand, it also just builds that wedding myth," Martin-Dye said.
"I think that being a bride is a life experience that every woman should be able to see herself doing - and definitely not stressing about the fact that they wont look 'perfect' on their wedding day," she continued.
Martin-Dye said that she first heard about Stuart when she took the New York Fashion Week runway for the second year in a row. She decided to contact the model, who said yes to the shoot. After Stuart agreed to come to Virginia for the shoot, the owner contacted her favorite vendors, which included the photographer Houston while the flowers were provided by Good Earth Flowers.
"Maddy really wants to change the way people discriminate against disability through gaining attention through social media," he mother wrote on Stuart's website. "She wants people to know that Down Syndrome is a blessing, something to be celebrated. She loves the camera. People need to see how she shines, how her personality just bursts out."
Stuart became the first professional adult model with Down Syndrome in 2015 and has no plans on stopping anytime soon. In addition to walking during New York Fashion Week twice, she has also landed modeling gigs for activewear brand Manifesta and GotGlam cosmetics.
A photo posted by Madeline Stuart (@madelinesmodelling_) on Mar 9, 2016 at 6:28pm PST
Xx my last photo shoot A photo posted by Madeline Stuart (@madelinesmodelling_) on Mar 6, 2016 at 6:56pm PST
