Model With Down Syndrome Has Opportunity To Strut Her Stuff On The Catwalk

Jul 03, 2020

It has always been difficult to penetrate the fashion industry as a catwalk model. Katie Harris, a young woman with Down Syndrome from New South Wales, Australia, is challenging the status quo as she made her catwalk debut in 2019 at just 24 years old.

Katie has always wanted to be a model and the fashion industry is her passion. Despite understanding that model diversity is happening slowly, and still a long way off, Katie did not let that deter her from putting herself forward and following her dream. Thankfully, The Disability Trust NSW was fully behind her and decided it would help aspiring models with disabilities get onto the catwalk.

In total 19 models were selected to walk down the catwalk and Katie is proud to be one of them. According to 22 Words, one of her aims is to change the world's perception of beauty. In a Facebook post for The Disability Trust, Katie said, "I am beautiful from the inside and outside and I want to become a model so people can really see who I am." 

When asked why she wanted to be a model, she told reporters at ABC News that she wants to "show the world just how beautiful I am." Katie's coach, Krysta Heath, who has the title 2018 Miss Planet Australia, also spoke about the experience, "as soon as she did her first solo walk the whole crowd got up and started cheering for her and calling out her name."

Everyone seemed to have loved the show, and it turned out to be a total success. Katie was adored by the audience and it was easy to see she is a star in the making. She herself declared that she "owned it!" That's exactly the kind of self-confidence we love to see. Big things are expected from Katie, and it's great she is such an advocate for diversity.

What do you think about Katie's inspiring achievement? Let us know and pass this on to anyone who may think it's too hard to follow their dreams.