New York Fashion Week: Down syndrome model Madeline Stuart’s catwalk dream

AUSSIE Down syndrome teen Madeline Stuart will today realise a long-time ambition — walking the runway at one of the fashion world’s premiere events, New York Fashion Week.

Madeline Stuart. Photo: SUPPLIED

MADELINE Stuart will today realise a long-time ambition, one she shares with millions of other 18-year-old girls.

The Aussie teen will join some of the world’s leading fashion mannequins on the runway at one of the fashion world’s premiere events, New York Fashion Week.

The 18-year-old, who has Down syndrome, will walk in the FTL Moda show after the fashion house partnered with the Christopher and Dana Reeve Foundation to give models with disabilities a chance to shine while simultaneously pushing boundaries and challenging stereotypes.

“Here I come New York. So excited,” Madeline posted to her social media account on Thursday ahead of her appearance on the runway at the historic Vanderbilt Hall at Grand Central Station.

Her mother and greatest advocate, Roseanne Stuart, has said that in encouraging her daughter, she is trying to change the way the world defines “beauty” and remind people to keep an open mind and not underestimate people with disabilities.

Madeline, who will be dressed by a host of designers representing Brazil, Italy, Germany, India, or South Africa and The Netherlands, has been on a fitness program preparing, and with the help of dance, swimming and cheerleading, has lost 20kg in readiness.