Models with Down syndrome in Romania strike a pose for World Down Syndrome Day

BUCHAREST, Romania(AP) — Dozens of fashions with Down syndrome strutted down a catwalk at a style present in Romania’s capital for a night celebrating type, “atypical beauty” and braveness to mark World Down Syndrome Day.

The SEEN Anonymous Seamstresses Gala in Bucharest introduced collectively designers from throughout the nation, who created clothes “with great kindness, care and creativity” for younger folks with Down syndrome and different mental disabilities.

Georgeta Bucur, the president of Down Plus Association Bucharest, which organized the occasion held on Wednesday on the Romexpo middle, mentioned 50 seamstresses every created a costume for a teen that they had by no means met.

“The costumes have been created with out anybody making an attempt them on,” she said. “But crucial factor is that the folks gathered collectively once more. This occasion is actually particular… it is probably the most lovely factor that would occur.”

For 19-year-old Antonia Voicu, who wore a puffy inexperienced netted costume and a crown of crimson roses, taking the stage was like a dream come true.

“I feel like I’m always fashionable, and I like to strike a pose, so I like to do like this,” she mentioned, earlier than stepping on the runway. “I’m not nervous at all.”

Antonia’s caretaker, Diana Negres, mentioned the occasion was “a big step” for Antonia, who had all the time dreamed of “being a star” standing on stage. “This event gives her exactly this,” she mentioned. “This is her first time, we did no preparation at all, so everything will be spontaneous.”

Cristina Bucur, a seamstress and one of many organizers, mentioned the thought for the style present got here to her as a result of she has a youngster with a incapacity.

“I wanted the other children to see what it’s like to wear a costume during a fashion show, what it’s like to be cheered on stage,” she mentioned. “They enjoy it enormously because they see that someone looks at them, that someone does something for them.”

In Romania, about 12,000 folks have Down syndrome, and over 6 million worldwide, in accordance with the Romania Down Syndrome Federation. In 2022, the Eastern European nation reported that a individual with Down syndrome was born per 847 births.

“On stage, us children go on a parade, and today I’m dressed in a nice dress and try to do some modeling,” mentioned nine-year-old Marusika Burlaca, who took to the stage sporting a pink costume studded with little pearls after having her hair performed up.

“Maybe they get a bit nervous at times, it’s the emotions, but they really like to be the center of attention,” mentioned Larisa Bucur, one of many organizers. “We know that they want to be in the spotlight. I think it’s a very good opportunity for them.”

World Down Syndrome Day celebrates the lives of individuals with Down syndrome to verify they’ve equal freedoms and alternatives, and to lift consciousness. In 2011, the United Nations General Assembly declared March 21 because the official day of statement.

This 12 months’s theme is combating loneliness, which the World Down Syndrome Day web site says can have an outsized impression on folks residing with Down syndrome.

“Everyone feels lonely sometimes,” it states. “But for many people with Down syndrome and other intellectual disabilities, loneliness is a more common and painful experience.”

McGrath reported from Leamington Spa, England.