- Ellie Goldstein is an 18-year-old with Down syndrome from Essex, England.
- Her passion lies in performing on the stage and modelling so she joined an agency that promotes models with disabilities like her.
- Recently, she did an ad campaign with Gucci which was featured in Italian Vogue.
In today’s fashion world, many designers, brands, and companies have already made huge steps to widen their reach and inclusivity.
Ellie Goldstein for one, from Essex, England, becomes the first teenager with Down syndrome to model for big names!
The 18-year-old has always loved theater and stage performance in general. She’s currently attending a performing arts course at college and her greatest passion is modelling—and her success in this industry is a great milestone for special people like her.
In 2017, following a friend’s suggestion, Ellie signed a contract with a talent agency named Zebedee Management, that advocates and promotes models with special needs. Since then, she has been having shoots with big brands, like the Nike ad that was aired in the Women’s World Cup last year. Recently, she worked with photographer David PD Hyde for a Gucci ad campaign—Mascara L’Obscur—featured in the Italian “Vogue.”
This could’ve been a big break for other aspiring models, but more than that, for Ellie, it is a huge step forward to a more inclusive and welcoming industry of diverse people like her.
“I really enjoyed the modeling and loved wearing the Gucci dress. I’m really proud of the photoshoot and would love to be famous. I’m looking forward to modeling for other brands,” she explained.
Ellie was instantly the public’s favorite and the audience’s response in her Gucci campaign was overwhelmingly positive. Yvonne Goldstein, her mother, said their whole family is so proud of her not only of her modelling talent but also of her enormous contribution to the world for people with Down syndrome.
“We’re all incredibly proud of Ellie and all the lovely comments she has had on Gucci’s Instagram,” Yvonne said. “She has always loved being in the limelight and in front of the camera, she’s very confident and good at taking direction.”
Laura Johnson, spokesperson of Zebedee, regards Ellie’s achievement in a major project and the people’s positive response as a success in overcoming the old stigma against models with disabilities.
“Inclusion of all people in the industry is so important, not only because it is the right thing to do ethically, but also makes good business sense,” Laura said. “Ellie is such a wonderful person inside and out. She lights up the room when she walks in and is such a professional. She is incredibly skilled and such natural beauty. This means the world to her, her family and the wider community. We really hope that all brands take note and including disabled models now becomes the norm.”
You are a wonderful girl Ellie! Congratulations and keep slaying!
Source: Inspire More
