Changing The Face of Fashion

“Changing the Face of Fashion” is a first–time event coming up later this week. It is in inclusive fashion show featuring models of all abilities, and will feature clothing and jewelry designed by two women with Down Syndrome. Down Syndrome occurs during pregnancy and is known because the fetus has a full or partial extra copy of chromosome 21 in their cells. Some of the attributes of someone with Down Syndrome are low muscle tone, small stature, an upward slant to the eyes, and a single deep crease across the center of the palm.

Ashley DeRamus, one of the clothing designers, who also has Down Syndrome, has a goal of making her clothing both comfortable and affordable. Her clothes are meant to be for all makes and models of human beings. Additionally, the models walking the runway of the fashion show also have all levels of abilities. In addition to trained runway models, there will be models in wheelchairs and some with Down Syndrome.

Natalia Taylor, who is Miss Milwauke, and Miss Wheelchair Wisconsin USA 2017, Amy Bleile are also involved in this special fashion show. Natalia noticed how lacking the fashion industry is when it comes to including and representing people of all walks of life. Money raised from this fashion show will benefit Wisconsin Upside Down to fund self-esteem projects for young men and women.