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World Famous Model With Down Syndrome Rocks New York Fashion Week Again

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She’s done it again.

Madeline Stuart, the world’s most famous model with Down syndrome, made her second appearance on a New York Fashion Week (NYFW) runway.

The 18-year-old Australian model walked the catwalk on Monday at the FTL Moda show at the Angel Orsensaz Foundation in Manhattan. She first rocked an etherial, winter-inspired look by Lulu te Gigi, complete with a furry white hat. Then she again reappeared in a beautiful formal purple and gold number by Josefa Da Silva.

Stuart walking the runway
Photos by Melissa McGlensey/The Mighty
Stuart walking the runway with model
Photos by Melissa McGlensey/The Mighty
Stuart walking the runway
Photos by Melissa McGlensey/The Mighty
Stuart walking the runway
Photos by Melissa McGlensey / The Mighty
Stuart walking the runway
Photos by Melissa McGlensey / The Mighty

Also in attendance was Rebekah Marine, known as the “bionic model” because she has a prosthetic limb. Marine walked in the Da Silva show accompanied by a little girl who was also missing a limb. Shaholly Ayers, who also has a prosthetic limb, walked the runway as well.

Rebekah Marine walking the runway
Photos by Melissa McGlensey / The Mighty
Rebekah Marine walking the runway
Photos by Melissa McGlensey / The Mighty

To Stuart’s mother, Rosanne Stuart, her daughter’s second appearance at NYFW is an important marker in her career.

“I think today is cementing her in the industry; she isn’t just a one hit wonder who walked in New York Fashion week once,” she told The Mighty. “She’s settled in the industry. She’s a model now.”

Stuart backstage in hair and make up
Stuart backstage in hair and make up. Photos by Melissa McGlensey / The Mighty
Stuart getting ready backstage.
Stuart getting ready backstage. Photos by Melissa McGlensey / The Mighty

Her second appearance at NYFW is only one of Stuart’s many recent accomplishments in the last year, including being the first professional model with Down syndrome to be the face of a cosmetic company, releasing her own handbag, starring in a music video and more.

Stuart with Italian model
Stuart with Italian model Fausto Di Pino. Photos by Melissa McGlensey / The Mighty

Stuart’s first appearance at NYFW last September was a huge success. The show took place in New York City’s Vanderbilt Hall and Stuart took two trips down the runway — one for resort wear, the other for couture.

See Stuart work the runway in the video below: 

Madeline Stuart at #nyfw16 @madelinesmodelling_

A video posted by The Mighty (@themightysite) on

 

Despite her global success, Stuart is still looking for representation or a sponsorship to cement herself within the fashion industry. Her mother hopes her frequent appearances at NYFW can help her daughter to secure management and thrive within the industry.

See more shots from the fashion show below:

Madeline walking the runway
Courtesy of Rosanne Stuart
Madeline walking the runway
Courtesy of Rosanne Stuart

Maddy walking the runway

Madeline Stuart on the runway
Courtesy of Rosanne Stuart

Related: Behind the Scenes With the World’s Most Famous Model With Down Syndrome

Originally published: February 16, 2016
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