The First Model with Down syndrome in Victoria's Secret, Gucci Fashion

Lingerie retailer Victoria’s Secret & Co. is moving further away from its exclusionary casting choices of the past in a new advertising campaign that features a model with Down syndrome.

Sofía Jirau Becomes First Model with Down Syndrome to Pose for Victoria’s Secret

The campaign, which promotes the company’s “Love Cloud” intimates collection, features 18 women with diverse backgrounds and identities. Sofía Jirau, who is also a designer, becomes the first model with Down syndrome to front a Victoria’s Secret campaign. She is joined by models including Adut Akech, Hailey Bieber, Paloma Elsesser, and Imaan Hammam, as well as actor Miriam Blanco and Celilo Miles, a firefighter for the Nez Perce Tribe in Idaho. Also in the campaign is legacy supermodel Shalom Harlow, and Valentina Sampaio, who in 2019 became the first openly transgender model to work with the brand.

“One day I dreamed of it, I worked for it, and today is a dream come true,” Jirau, who designs the line Alavett, wrote on Instagram.

How about Victoria’s Secret policy

The bras and panties in the “Love Cloud” collection are available in six styles and several colors. While the bra sizes offered range from 32A to 40DDD, they fall short of the size options available from brands such as Rihanna’s Savage X Fenty, Kim Kardashian’s Skims and Nubian Skin. Those brands have found success in recent years by offering a larger range of sizes and skin tones to underserved customers — often in stark contrast to a much narrower standard of female beauty that was led by Victoria’s Secret.

Raúl Martinez, the brand’s head creative director, said in a statement that the collection was “a major moment in the brand’s evolution” and “an important part of the new Victoria’s Secret standard we are creating.” It’s part of Victoria’s Secret move to overhaul its image, which has included leaving behind the so-called “Angels” that previously defined its image.

Victoria’s Secret is following the fashion industry by using models that more accurately represent the population. Savage X Fenty has cast pregnant models in its fashion shows, and featured model Lyric Mariah, who has a limb difference, in campaign images. Skims, which is valued at $3.2 billion, worked with Paralympians. Independent brands have provided offerings to underserved communities, such as LGBTQ+ people, for years.

Madeline Stuart: diversity advocate and the world’s first Down’s Syndrome model

Madeline Stuart is a 23-year-old model from Brisbane, Australia who has been dubbed ‘the world’s first famous model with Down Syndrome.’ Just over four years ago, Madeline’s game-changing modelling career began. Since then she has walked in more than 100 fashion shows across the globe including New York, Paris and London.

Our writer, Emma Purcell, got the chance to interview Madeline about her modelling career, dance school and campaign to change the world and make the fashion industry inclusive for all.

Ellie Goldstein Stars in Gucci Beauty Campaign as First Down Syndrome Model

We are delighted to see Gucci’s approach to inclusivity in their recent beauty campaign with Vogue Italia. The beautiful Ellie Goldstein is the first Down Syndrome model to work with the brand, a great achievement for anyone trying to make their way in the world of fashion and beauty.

The model from Essex is represented by Zebedee Management, who shares that they are “passionate about redefining the perception of beauty, disability, and diversity”. As a result, Goldstein has been building a strong entry into the Industry having previously featured in campaigns with Nike, Superdrug, and Vodafone. At only 18-years old, and soon to be appearing on the pages of Vogue Italia, the model’s future is looking full of excitement and possibility.

Selected to model for the Brand via social media, Goldstein’s campaign centres on Gucci’s Mascara L’Obscur. Talking to the Independent, Creative Director Alessandro Michele reveals “I designed L’Obscur mascara for an authentic person who uses make-up to tell their story of freedom, in their way”. With an aura that radiates throughout the room, it seems Goldstein was the perfect fit to represent L’Obscur: a mascara that Gucci markets as one with “charm and mystery”. Captured in an embellished gold Gucci dress with subtle makeup and a radiant smile, Goldstein is a natural beauty that fulfills these qualities perfectly.

The Gucci Beauty Instagram page shared a picture from Goldstein’s photoshoot which according to the Independent was Gucci’s “biggest liked post EVER”. Amongst celebrities such as Harry Styles and Dakota Johnson which also feature on the page, Goldstein has claimed the spotlight. Thousands of supportive comments have been made on the post, many congratulating the diverse approach of the Brand along with the beauty of the model. It seems Gucci were right on time with the Campaign, embracing that refreshing and inclusive approach to beauty that we have all been waiting for.

At Voir we love to see women embracing their power with confidence and individuality and Ellie Goldstein is a perfect Ambassador. Posting a headshot picture on her personal Instagram account captioned “Proud of being me”, we see a young woman who is confident and beautiful in her own skin, something which we can all be inspired by. We are excited to see Goldstein taking the Industry by storm and will be looking out for her next campaign!

Down syndrome Details

Down syndrome is a chromosomal condition that is associated with intellectual disability, a characteristic facial appearance, and weak muscle tone (hypotonia) in infancy. All affected individuals experience cognitive delays, but the intellectual disability is usually mild to moderate.

Potentially serious complications — The most serious complications of Down syndrome include heart defects, blood disorders that can include leukemia (cancer of the blood), and immune system problems. Heart defects — Approximately half of all babies with Down syndrome are born with (often repairable) heart defects.

Who is the model with Down syndrome?

Sofía Jirau has made history as the first model for Victoria’s Secret with Down syndrome, after joining 17 other women in launching the brand’s new campaign. The 24-year-old Puerto Rican model celebrated the milestone on Valentine’s Day following the debut of the Love Cloud Collection, a line of underwear.

Does Gucci have a model with Down syndrome?

Ellie Goldstein is one of the faces of Gucci’s new “Unconventional Beauty” ad campaign, which celebrates “non-stereotypical beauty.

Who is the first Gucci model with Down syndrome?

We are delighted to see Gucci’s approach to inclusivity in their recent beauty campaign with Vogue Italia. The beautiful Ellie Goldstein is the first Down Syndrome model to work with the brand, a great achievement for anyone trying to make their way in the world of fashion and beauty.

How did Ellie Goldstein become a model?

Goldstein was born in Ilford, Essex to a Jewish family. She is represented by Zebedee Management and has been modeling since she was 15. … In November 2019, Gucci and Vogue Italia scouted Ellie during the Photo Vogue Festival as part of their digital editorial on “Unconventional Beauty.