Madeline Stuart, an 18-year-old who has Down syndrome and a leaky heart valve, just made her runway debut on Sunday night at New York Fashion Week.
The adorable Australian who goes by the nickname, "Maddy" graced the catwalk at Grand Central's Vanderbilt Hall with three costume changes.
With a glittered face paint, Maddy first went out strutting a pair of sequined hot pants and a flowy watercolor halter over a bandeau top with a couple of male models on her side. Her second look showcased an elegant white off-shoulder floral appliqué gown with a long train.
The audience went wild when Maddy came out on her final walk - wearing a black t-shirt that read "I Am NYFW" at the back. She then pulled her mom Rosanne Stuart from her front-row seat to join her on the runway before she gave her a hug and a kiss.
"It was fub," Maddy told interviewers after her fashion debut. "I feel good."
Her mom-slash-manager was overjoyed with her NYFW experience, too. "She was great! I am so proud," Stuart said. "She's pretty cute, isn't she?"
Maddy's fashion career started last year when she told her mom she wanted to be a model. "I don't want to stop Maddy from doing anything," her mom said.
She then took Maddy for a professional photo shoot which photos later went viral online. The mother-daughter duo was then surprised when Maddy was invited to join one of fashion's prestigious runways.
After her 28-hour flight from Australia and a fashion career on the rise, Maddy only wanted one thing after the show. "I just want to go to sleep." she told reporters looking shy.
Joining other models Rebekah Marine a.k.a. the "bionic model" - who walked with a state-of-the-art i-limb and Leslie Irby - who conquered the catwalk on a wheelchair," Maddy and the rest of the girls with disabilities took part in a show themed "Fashion Free from Confines."
