X
theAsianparent Logo
theAsianparent Logo
  • Pregnancy
    • Due date calculator
    • I'm pregnant
    • Trying To Conceive
    • Labour
    • After birth
    • Baby loss
  • Parenting
    • Parenting & Play by Friso
    • Parent's Guide
    • Relationship & Sex
  • Ages & Stages
    • Baby
    • Toddler
    • Pre-schooler
    • Kids
    • Pre-teen & Teen
  • Feeding & Nutrition
    • Diseases-Injuries
    • Breastfeeding & Formula
    • Meal Planner
    • Health
    • Allergies & Conditions
    • Vaccinations
  • Education
    • Pre-School
    • Primary School
    • Secondary School
  • Lifestyle
    • Money
    • Travel & Leisure
    • Fashion
    • Home
    • Fitness
    • Contests & promotions
  • News
    • International
    • Health
    • Celebrity
    • Singapore
  • Money Parenting
    • Tips for Parents
    • Tips for Toddlers
    • Tips for Older Kids
    • The 5 Personas
  • TAP Recommends
  • Shopping
  • Press Releases
  • Project Sidekicks
  • Community
  • Advertise With Us
  • Contact Us
  • Become A Contributor
  • VIP

The worlds' first model with Down syndrome is elegantly breaking barriers

23 Mar, 2016
The worlds' first model with Down syndrome is elegantly breaking barriersThe worlds' first model with Down syndrome is elegantly breaking barriers

"I am so excited that society is taking so much interest in the disability sector and our belief in inclusion is getting so much media coverage."

As the world recently celebrated World Down Syndrome Day, many stories honouring individuals born with trisomy of their 21st chromosome has been a source of inspiration for many families.

One such story is that of 19-year-old Madeline Stuart, the first model with Down Syndrome.

Hailing from Brisbane, Australia, Madeline has been proving that she is at par with the world’s greatest models: she has walked runways at New York Fashion Week, she has been the face of top sportswear and accessories, she has appeared in top women’s magazines, and she has become the face of lines of cosmetics and handbags. She even had a bag named after her!

worlds first model with Down Syndrome

Madeline at her for a luxry handbag line (photo: EverMaya)

Even at such a young age, the stunning Madeline has managed to break barriers and stereotypes imposed upon those born with Down Syndrome.

She has overcome so much in the pursuit of her dreams, starting at 8 weeks old, when she had to undergo open heart surgery.

  Me at 8 weeks after open heart surgery with my mum

A photo posted by Madeline Stuart (@madelinesmodelling_) on Jan 24, 2016 at 4:40pm PST

Madeline was inspired to pursue modelling after seeing a fashion show for the first time. So her supportive mom organized a professional photo shoot and then posted the photos on facebook; the photos went viral and the rest is history.

“I am so excited that society is taking so much interest in the disability sector and our belief in inclusion is getting so much media coverage,” Madeline told TODAY.

  A photo posted by Madeline Stuart (@madelinesmodelling_) on Mar 11, 2016 at 6:59pm PST

Go to next page to see photos from Maddy’s most recent campaign

Her most recent photo shoot wherein she’s modelling stunning wedding dresses alongside a male model is earned her even more acclaim.

After seeing her model for FTL Moda, Isadora Martin-Dye, the owner of Rixey Manor, a wedding venue heard about her and asked her if she would be interested in modeling for their website.

“The wedding industry is set up to intimidate brides and couples. It’s set up to where they feel like they can’t do it,” Isadora told CNN. “I guess my whole thing was that I wanted to show that anybody on that day in that dress is the most beautiful person you’ve ever seen.”

Isadora further revealed that Madeline had so much fun modeling the beaded and lace-embellished gowns that she didn’t want to take them off.

One in particular was her favorite.

“There was one dress that she put on and she had that moment that I had when I put on my wedding dress,” Isadora said. “She wouldn’t let her mom come in because she kind of wanted to do that reveal first look with her mom when she saw her in the dress for the first time.”

  A photo posted by Madeline Stuart (@madelinesmodelling_) on Mar 7, 2016 at 3:30pm PST

  A photo posted by Madeline Stuart (@madelinesmodelling_) on Mar 13, 2016 at 7:22pm PDT

  Beautiful photo by @liebphotographic at @rixeymanor

A photo posted by Madeline Stuart (@madelinesmodelling_) on Mar 16, 2016 at 4:08pm PDT

  A photo posted by Madeline Stuart (@madelinesmodelling_) on Mar 11, 2016 at 6:58pm PST

  Just a photo shoot guys lol ????????????

A photo posted by Madeline Stuart (@madelinesmodelling_) on Mar 9, 2016 at 6:28pm PST

Keep being your beautiful self, Maddy!

If you have any insights, questions or comments regarding the topic, please share them in our Comment box below.

Partner Stories
Singapore's Dengue Cases Surpass The 35,000 Mark, Highest Since 2013
Singapore's Dengue Cases Surpass The 35,000 Mark, Highest Since 2013
Typhoon Haiyan relief effort
Typhoon Haiyan relief effort
What parents can learn from the Boston bombings
What parents can learn from the Boston bombings
The brainy bunch - 6 siblings begin college by age 12!
The brainy bunch - 6 siblings begin college by age 12!

Got a parenting concern? Read articles or ask away and get instant answers on our app. Download theAsianparent Community on iOS or Android now!

img
Written by

Bianchi Mendoza

  • Home
  • /
  • News
  • /
  • The worlds' first model with Down syndrome is elegantly breaking barriers
Share:
  • Toddler gets featured after being rejected for having Down Syndrome!

    Toddler gets featured after being rejected for having Down Syndrome!

  • "It was like a bad movie." Family of 5 Jumps Off From Their Apartment in Switzerland

    "It was like a bad movie." Family of 5 Jumps Off From Their Apartment in Switzerland

  • Mum Discovers 'Hole' In Her Baby's Mouth, Rushes To Hospital Before Realising Her Mistake

    Mum Discovers 'Hole' In Her Baby's Mouth, Rushes To Hospital Before Realising Her Mistake

app info
get app banner
  • Toddler gets featured after being rejected for having Down Syndrome!

    Toddler gets featured after being rejected for having Down Syndrome!

  • "It was like a bad movie." Family of 5 Jumps Off From Their Apartment in Switzerland

    "It was like a bad movie." Family of 5 Jumps Off From Their Apartment in Switzerland

  • Mum Discovers 'Hole' In Her Baby's Mouth, Rushes To Hospital Before Realising Her Mistake

    Mum Discovers 'Hole' In Her Baby's Mouth, Rushes To Hospital Before Realising Her Mistake

Get advice on your pregnancy and growing baby. Sign up for our newsletter
  • Pregnancy
    • Baby
    • Education
    • Events
    • Allergies & Conditions
  • Family Occasions
    • Breastfeeding & Formula
    • Child Safety
    • Health
    • Diseases-Injuries
  • Lifestyle
    • Home
    • Money
    • Feeding & Nutrition
    • Diet & Weightloss
  • Normal Delivery
    • Cesarean Delivery
    • Behaviour
    • Secondary School
    • Formula Feeding
  • Ages & Stages
    • Latching & Concerns
    • Festivals & Holidays
    • Education
    • Pre-teen & Teen
  • More
    • TAP Community
    • Advertise With Us
    • Contact Us
    • Become a Contributor


  • Singapore flag Singapore
  • Thailand flag Thailand
  • Indonesia flag Indonesia
  • Philippines flag Philippines
  • Malaysia flag Malaysia
  • Sri-Lanka flag Sri Lanka
  • India flag India
  • Vietnam flag Vietnam
  • Australia flag Australia
  • Japan flag Japan
  • Nigeria flag Nigeria
  • Kenya flag Kenya
© Copyright theAsianparent 2022. All rights reserved
About Us|Team|Privacy Policy|Terms of Use |Sitemap HTML
  • Tools
  • Articles
  • Feed
  • Poll

We use cookies to ensure you get the best experience. Learn MoreOk, Got it

We use cookies to ensure you get the best experience. Learn MoreOk, Got it

theAsianparent heart icon
We’d like to send you notifications for the latest news and lifestyle updates.