Marian Avila, 21, hails from Benidorm in Alicante, Spain. Avila has Down syndrome, but this didn’t stop her from strutting down the catwalk at the famed New York Fashion Week. Avila was discovered on social media by Atlanta fashion designer, Talisha White, leading to the offer to model on the catwalk at during fashion week.

Marian became an instant celebrity following her appearance on the midtown Manhattan ballroom stage on Saturday. She told the media she felt totally at home on the catwalk and that she was really happy and loved modelling.

Avila went on to say she wants the world to know there are no barriers.

Wearing a series of glamorous evening gowns, the Down syndrome model paraded in front of her parents, who supported her during the fashion show.

Fashion designer discovers Down syndrome model

As reported by Yahoo! News, Talisha White, 25, who designs prom dresses and gowns, said a friend found Avila’s story on Facebook. White also said her mission was to break down barriers for women.

Talisha said Marian has been a “busy supermodel,” and that she had met all kinds of people. Saying she is happy for the model, White added that Avila has had meetings with Vogue and Harper’s Bazaar, as well as many showrooms and various modelling agencies.

Marian went to her Instagram account to post images from the show, captioning it to say dreams do come true.

Down syndrome model wasn’t alone on the catwalk

New York Fashion Week is one of the most important fashion events of the year. The latest event featured more than one model with disabilities. Tae McKenzie from Charlotte, North Carolina had a wheelchair on the catwalk, while Australian model Madeline Stuart, with Down syndrome has also featured at New York Fashion Week.

Talisha went on to explain the many challenges faced by disabled models, restricting them from achieving their modelling dream.

White used a rainbow to highlight the empowerment of women and “beauty from the inside out.” She wants people to know that it isn’t just one type of girl who is beautiful.

As reported by the Evening Standard, Talisha said she likes to showcase all kinds of models, including those confined to wheelchairs, others with Down syndrome and girls who are only four feet tall and had been told they could never become a model. White ended by saying this type of model is her “it” girl.

White isn’t alone in her quest to diversify the fashion industry, as CHROMAT opened the New York Fashion Week Saturday show featuring a transgender model, Levna Bloom. Designer Christian Siriano was also hailed for his diverse series of models appearing in the Sunday show.
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