Meet the First Down Syndrome Model to Be Signed to a Beauty Label

Looking at model Madeline Stuart, you probably notice her long mane of red hair, her freckles, and her gorgeous blue eyes. But what you may or may not see right away is that she has Down syndrome. After overcoming her lifelong weight-loss struggle, Maddy decided to pursue a career that highlights her beautiful new body, but at the same time she's bringing awareness to the Down syndrome community. "Modeling will help change society's view of people with Down Syndrome, [and] exposure will help to create acceptance in life," she wrote on her Facebook page.

So far, the 18-year-old from Australia has signed contracts with Living Dead clothing, Manifesta, a body-positive athleticwear brand, and now GlossiGirl, a lipstick brand. This further proves that models (just like all women) are quite diverse. Women love to fantasize about what they'd look like in magazine ads and campaigns — and seeing someone who looks real do this reminds us that dreams can come true.

Madeline joins a list of distinguished models changing the way we see beauty, including transgender catwalker Andreja Pejic and Chantelle Brown-Young, who has vitiligo. A few months ago, American Horror Story star Jamie Brewer walked down the New York Fashion Week runway, becoming the first Down syndrome model to hit the catwalk. We think Madeline could be next . . .

Courtesy of Manifesta