‘I’m the world’s first model with Down’s syndrome’: The story of how one young woman’s dreams came true
Madeline Stuart wanted to be a model after going to a local fashion show but knew achieving her ambitions would be difficult
MADELINE Stuart, 19, lives in Brisbane, Australia, with her mum Roseanne, 45. She says:
";Closing my eyes as a make-up artist applied silver flecks to my face, I felt like a princess.
My hair had been styled and I was about to step on to the catwalk at New York Fashion Week.
As a newbie to modelling, it wasn’t just a first for me, it was a first for the industry too, as I have Down’s syndrome.
Growing up in Brisbane, Australia, my mum Roseanne always told me I could achieve whatever I wanted.
Apart from having heart surgery as a baby, I had a pretty normal upbringing. I attended mainstream school and did gymnastics and dancing.
When I was 18, Mum and I went to a local fashion show and as I saw the models, I blurted out that I’d love to be one.
Although Mum didn’t try to put me off, she warned I’d have to work really hard for it.
A few months later, around Easter 2015, my mum took me to a local photographer for a fun shoot.
I had my hair done and posed away, loving every moment.
When the photos came back, Mum put them on a Facebook group page for the Down’s syndrome community and strangers posted how inspiring and beautiful I was.
She was so moved by the support, she created a modelling Facebook page for me.
Within a week, I had 100,000 likes and endless job offers.
My first booking was for a local jewellery designer and then I did a fashion shoot for the sports label Manifesta.
The company liked that I represented all different types of women’s beauty.
After that, it was a whirlwind.
Last July, I was in LA dancing at the Special Olympics World Games with my dance troupe when I was asked to model at an auto-immune diseases awareness event in New York taking place a few days later.
Back home in August, I got an email from US fashion brand FTL Moda asking me to walk the catwalk for them at New York Fashion Week after they’d seen me on social media.
Three weeks later I was walking down the runway in front of some of the biggest industry names, wearing a gorgeous silver gown.
There were other models with disabilities and we got a standing ovation.
It felt so good knowing we were breaking down barriers.
While in New York, Glossigirl Cosmetics asked me to become the face of their make-up brand.
I felt so proud, as it meant I was the first person with an intellectual disability to front a cosmetics campaign.
Around the same time, Mum gave up her building surveyor’s business to become my manager.
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I have cognitive delay, which means my brain doesn’t always work quickly, so she looks after the business side, helps me with interviews and accompanies me to shoots. Any money I make goes straight into my savings.
Since then, I’ve been flown all over the world.
Earlier this year I did a bridal shoot, which went viral on social media.
Once again it smashed preconceptions to see someone with Down’s syndrome as a bride.
People always tell me I’m really inspiring, which is lovely.
Of course, there are some who say I’m being exploited, but Mum tells me I can give up at any time.
However, I don’t want to — I’m having too much fun!"
BTW
- Down’s syndrome is caused by the presence of an extra copy of chromosome 21.
- A woman who is 20 has about a 1 in 1,500 chance of having a baby with the condition, while a woman who is 40 has a 1 in 100 chance.