Jamie Brewer already had an impressive resume for a 30-year-old: she's an actress on the show American Horror Story, an accomplished activist who helped influence legislation in her home state of Texas, and she's involved in several non-profit organizations. Now, as of Thursday, she's got another item to add: she's the first model with Down syndrome to walk in a show during New York Fashion Week.
Brewer modeled a black A-line dress designed by Carrie Hammer in the show "Role Models Not Runway Models." The show featured "role" models who are accomplished in their professional lives or who have overcome adversity to lead successful lives.
"We feature incredible influential women on the runaway. CEOs, executives, activist, actresses, anyone who is the top of the field, top of their game," Hammer told USA TODAY Network.
"Jamie is an absolute star," Hammer said, adding that the actress is also an activist for people with intellectual disabilities.
All of the women in the show wore clothing designed especially for them.
Jamie Brewer is the first model w down syndrome at #NYFW. Bravo @carriehammer! http://t.co/VBVYx1Rx9s pic.twitter.com/B9lxoycYGv
— Yahoo Style (@YahooStyle) February 12, 2015I think we can all agree that Jamie looked beautiful on the runway.
Like the Madison, a young singer with Down syndrome that I blogged about two weeks ago, this is another great example of someone with a disability smashing all expectations society has set for them and succeeding. As this story has gone fairly viral, I hope it can provide parents facing a prenatal diagnosis of Down syndrome with some hope that their child has the potential to lead a fairly typical life--and even act, sing, or model in a fashion show.