Real Life

Madeline Stuart, Australia’s stunning model with Down Syndrome makes her New York Fashion Week debut!

She was named the Australia’s first model with Down Sydrome and now the gorgeous Madeline Stuart is taking New York by storm.
Madeline Stuart and her mum Roseanne

She was named the Australia’s first model with Down Sydrome and now the gorgeous Madeline Stuart is taking New York by storm.

In June Woman’s Day sat down with Maddy as she did her first ever shoot for a national magazine and now we are proud as punch to discover New York loves her just as much as we do.

The 18-year-old beauty from Brisbane has been busy with rehearsals for American label FTL Moda’s fashion show, a brand which has made history as using models with disabilities to wear their clothes.

Back in June Maddy’s mum Roseanne told us, “I don’t think Maddy really sees what a disability is. She knows she has Down syndrome, but she doesn’t see herself any different from other people.”

She poignantly added: “So why couldn’t she be a model?”… We could not agree more!

And if you ever wondered how the flame-haired stunner got to where she is, her mum told us: “when Maddy wants to do something, she can’t see why there might be a reason she couldn’t!”

She continued: “you couldn’t make her do something if she didn’t want to.”

Click through to see Madeline Stuart’s inspiring debut at New York Fashion Week!

Madeline Stuart and her mum Roseanne

“She was great! I am so proud. She’s pretty cute, isn’t she? She’s been so excited. She didn’t sleep at all last night!” Roseanne told New York Daily News after the show.

Maddy was in her element as she strutted the runway with two hunky models by her side.

Madeline walked with designers Hendrik Vermeulen and Jean-Daniel Meyer-Vermeulen at the end of the show.

Madeline has been flat out in rehearsals for her catwalk debut at NYFW for American label FTL Moda.

Back in June Maddy’s mum Roseanne told Woman’s Day, “I don’t think Maddy really sees what a disability is. She knows she has Down syndrome, but she doesn’t see herself any different from other people.”

In the face of adversity, Roseanne explained to us defiantly: “why couldn’t she be a model?” And as result Madeline has been inspiring thousands!

Single mum Roseanne raised Maddy in the Western Suburbs of Brisbane. The proud-as-punch mum admitted, “when Maddy wants to do something, she can’t see why there might be a reason she couldn’t.”

FTL Moda is a fashion label that has made history by representing people from all walks of life on their runway.

Maddy’s shoot with Woman’s Day in June was her first time being in a national magazine and now she’s on the runways of prestigious New York Fashion Week! We couldn’t be prouder!

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