It's no surprise that the 10-month-old model chosen to grace the cover of a U.S. catalogue for Spanish swimwear designer Dolores Cortes' new collection is adorable. But little Valentina Guerrero has scored a major coup. She's the first child with Down syndrome to win the job as the main model for a high-end designer’s marketing campaign!
The little beauty is now the official face of Cortes' DC Kids line, and she had her first runway show in her native Miami last week. It's being hailed far and wide as a big thing for people with Down syndrome, and it is. But I can't help thinking Valentina's triumph is a biggie for all kids.
By featuring a little girl who is "different" as their main model, the fashion house has decided to show kids all over the United States that it's OK to be who you are. Whether that means having Down syndrome or some other birth defect, whether that means being skinny or plump, whatever. Even the fashion world is starting to come around to the notion that the definition of what is beautiful is fluid.
And our kids can help keep them moving in the right direction. Here Valentina is, just 10 months old and already making a mark on the fashion world. She's broken down a door no one else before her could. It's a "good things come in small packages" kind of message if there ever was one.
It's not easy being a kid and facing a world where you see people doing things wrong and you're powerless to change it. But maybe our kids aren't powerless. If little Valentina can bring acceptance for thousands of kids in the tough world of high fashion, the sky is the limit!
Will you be showing Valentina's ad campaign to your kids?
Image via DC Kids
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Comments 30
She is a cutie pie! I honestly wouldn't have known she had DS if you hadn't told me. I see a child with a beautiful smile and big beautiful eyes.
an adorable baby ~ is an adorable baby ~ downs or no downs ~ smart pr firm ~ WAY TO GO ~ I LOVE IT !~ WHY DO SOME PEOPLE NEED LABELS ?
So cute!! and I think it is a great step in the world .
simply beautiful and a wonderful step in modeling
She's absolutely adorable!
She is beautiful! :)
That cover makes me smile. Way cute! Very lovely of all involved.
This is a great leap forward for fashion. They can finally talk about what beautiful really means. When we support mastectomy-survivors and children with DS and amputees, and recognize and celebrate their beauty, we all take a step closer to reality. Instead of the masses being told what is beautiful by a few select elite, we're telling those few elite producers what WE think is beautiful. They work for US now. And we get the products we want. So spend those dollars wisely, ladies.
SHe's so pretty! This is wonderful. It has been a long time since we saw a child with Down's Syndrome in mainstream meadia. the last time I remember is the character on an ABC show years ago. I'm happy for her. I hope she gets more modeling jobs!