Romanian Fashion Show Features Models with Down Syndrome for World Awareness Day

Dozens of young people with Down syndrome walked the runway in Bucharest, Romania, wearing custom-made outfits created by volunteer seamstresses. The special fashion show celebrated World Down Syndrome Day and aimed to combat loneliness while showcasing 'atypical beauty' and courage.

BUCHAREST, Romania — A special runway show in Romania’s capital city featured dozens of young models with Down syndrome wearing custom-designed outfits to commemorate World Down Syndrome Day and celebrate what organizers called “atypical beauty.”

The SEEN Anonymous Seamstresses Gala took place Wednesday at Bucharest’s Romexpo center, bringing together clothing designers from throughout Romania who crafted garments “with great kindness, care and creativity” specifically for youth with Down syndrome and other intellectual disabilities.

According to Georgeta Bucur, president of Down Plus Association Bucharest who organized the event, 50 volunteer seamstresses each designed and created an outfit for a young person they had never previously encountered.

“The costumes were created without anyone trying them on,” she explained. “But the most important thing is that the people gathered together again. This event is really special … it’s the most beautiful thing that could happen.”

Nineteen-year-old Antonia Voicu, dressed in a voluminous green netted gown and crowned with red roses, described taking the stage as fulfilling a longtime dream.

“I feel like I’m always fashionable, and I like to strike a pose, so I like to do like this,” she explained before walking the runway. “I’m not nervous at all.”

Diana Negres, Antonia’s caretaker, described the fashion show as “a big step” for Antonia, who had long fantasized about “being a star” performing on stage. “This event gives her exactly this,” Negres said. “This is her first time, we did no preparation at all, so everything will be spontaneous.”

Seamstress and event organizer Cristina Bucur explained that her inspiration for the fashion show stemmed from having a child with a disability.

“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 said. “They enjoy it enormously because they see that someone looks at them, that someone does something for them.”

Statistics from the Romania Down Syndrome Federation indicate approximately 12,000 people in Romania have Down syndrome, while more than 6 million people worldwide live with the condition. Romanian data from 2022 showed one person with Down syndrome is born per every 847 births in the Eastern European nation.

Nine-year-old Marusika Burlaca, wearing a pink pearl-studded dress with styled hair, shared her excitement about the experience.

“On stage, us children go on a parade, and today I’m dressed in a nice dress and try to do some modeling,” she said.

Event organizer Larisa Bucur noted that while participants sometimes experience nervousness due to emotions, they genuinely enjoy being the focus of attention.

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

World Down Syndrome Day aims to celebrate the lives of individuals with Down syndrome while ensuring they receive equal rights and opportunities, and to increase public awareness. The United Nations General Assembly officially designated March 21 as the day of observance in 2011.

This year’s focus addresses combating loneliness, which the World Down Syndrome Day website notes affects people with Down syndrome disproportionately.

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