--- description: Model with Down Syndrome Madeline Stuart walks runway at New York Fashion Week wearing FTL Moda title: New York Fashion Week: Down Syndrome Model image: https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/bltde093bcdab65f2d0/6988d9b9bc6cfc69913e2a3c/time-logo.jpg?branch=production --- * [Newsfeed](/tag/time-section-newsfeed/) ## Newsfeed Update your preferences in [Account Settings](/account/preferences/) Close # Model With Down Syndrome Treads the Catwalk in New York  by [Olivia B. Waxman](/author/olivia-b-waxman/)  ## Olivia B. Waxman Update your preferences in [Account Settings](/account/preferences/) Close Staff Writer Updated: Dec 14, 2023 2:09 AM CUTPublished: Sep 14, 2015 5:15 PM CUT  by [Olivia B. Waxman](/author/olivia-b-waxman/)  ## Olivia B. Waxman Update your preferences in [Account Settings](/account/preferences/) Close Staff Writer Updated: Dec 14, 2023 2:09 AM CUTPublished: Sep 14, 2015 5:15 PM CUT **Correction appended, September 27, 2015** Madeline Stuart, an 18-year-old model with Down Syndrome, made her debut on the New York Fashion Week runway Sunday. The redheaded teen from Brisbane, Australia showed off styles in a show at Vanderbilt Hall in Grand Central Terminal hosted by label FTL Moda with the Christopher and Dana Reeve Foundation and Global Disability Inclusion. She [told the ](http://www.nydailynews.com/life-style/model-syndrome-new-york-fashion-week-debut-article-1.2359135 "undefined")[_New York Daily News,_](http://www.nydailynews.com/life-style/model-syndrome-new-york-fashion-week-debut-article-1.2359135 "undefined")“It was fun,” but admitted she was exhausted and just wanted to “go to sleep.” Stuart isn’t the first model with Down Syndrome to walk the runway; actress [Jamie Brewer from ](http://time.com/3708150/carrie-hammer-jamie-brewer-new-york-fashion-week/ "undefined")[_American Horror Story_](http://time.com/3708150/carrie-hammer-jamie-brewer-new-york-fashion-week/ "undefined")appeared in February’s New York Fashion Week during the “Role Models Not Runway Models” show organized by designer Carrie Hammer. The teenager’s mother Rosanne credits social media for helping pave the way for Madeline’s Fashion Week debut. As [she told ](http://news.yahoo.com/down-teen-bionic-model-walk-ny-fashion-week-072050165.html "undefined")[_AFP_](http://news.yahoo.com/down-teen-bionic-model-walk-ny-fashion-week-072050165.html "undefined")_,_ “Social media has brought everything to the forefront. Things aren’t hidden anymore.”  (L-R) Models Jesse Pattison, Madeline Stuart and Ben Pulchinski walk the runway at Hendrik Vermeulen show during Spring 2016 New York Fashion Week at Vanderbilt Hall at Grand Central Terminal on September 13, 2015 in New York City. Chance Yeh—Getty Images  Madeline Stuart, an Australian model with Down Syndrome, presents a creation from the Hendrik Vermeulen label during the FTL Moda presentation of the Spring/Summer 2016 collection during New York Fashion Week in Vanderbilt Hall at Grand Central Station, New York, September 13, 2015\. FTL Moda presented a range of designers and partnered with the Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation and Global Disability Inclusion. The show casted a diverse range of models, including models living with disabilities. REUTERS/Andrew Kelly - RTSXRN Andrew Kelly—Reuters  NEW YORK, NY - SEPTEMBER 13: Model Madeline Stuart walks the runway at Hendrik Vermeulen show during Spring 2016 during New York Fashion Week at Vanderbilt Hall at Grand Central Terminal on September 13, 2015 in New York City. (Photo by Chance Yeh/Getty Images) Chance Yeh—Getty Images Correction: The original version of this story misstated a sponsor of the event. 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