Romanian Fashion Show Celebrates World Down Syndrome Day with Atypical Beauty
Dozens of models with Down syndrome confidently strutted down a catwalk at a vibrant fashion show in Romania's capital, Bucharest, for an evening dedicated to celebrating style, atypical beauty, and courage to mark World Down Syndrome Day. The event, held on Wednesday at the Romexpo centre, brought together designers from across the country in a heartwarming display of inclusivity and creativity.
The SEEN Anonymous Seamstresses Gala
The SEEN Anonymous Seamstresses Gala in Bucharest united designers who crafted garments with great kindness, care and creativity specifically for young people with Down syndrome and other intellectual disabilities. Georgeta Bucur, president of the Down Plus Association Bucharest which organised the event, revealed that 50 seamstresses each created a unique costume for a youngster they had never met before.
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.
Dreams Realised on the Runway
For 19-year-old Antonia Voicu, who wore a puffy green netted dress adorned with a crown of red roses, taking the stage was 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 said before stepping onto the runway. I'm not nervous at all.
Antonia's caretaker, Diana Negres, described the event as a big step for Antonia, who had always dreamed of being a star parading on stage. This event gives her exactly this, she said. This is her first time, we did no preparation at all, so everything will be spontaneous.
Inspiration Behind the Event
Cristina Bucur, a seamstress and one of the organisers, shared that the idea for the fashion show came to her because she has 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.
In Romania, approximately 12,000 people have Down syndrome, with over 6 million worldwide, according to the Romania Down Syndrome Federation. In 2022, the Eastern European country reported that a person with Down syndrome was born per 847 births.
Young Participants Shine
Nine-year-old Marusika Burlaca, who took to the stage wearing a pink dress studded with little pearls after having her hair styled, expressed her joy. 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.
Larisa Bucur, another organiser, noted the participants' enthusiasm. Maybe they get a bit nervous at times, it's the emotions, but they really like to be the centre of attention, she said. We know that they want to be in the spotlight. I think it's a very good opportunity for them.
Significance of World Down Syndrome Day
World Down Syndrome Day celebrates the lives of people with Down syndrome to ensure they have equal freedoms and opportunities, while raising awareness globally. In 2011, the United Nations General Assembly declared March 21 as the official day of observation.
This year's theme focuses on combating loneliness, which the World Down Syndrome Day website states can have an outsized impact on people living with Down syndrome. Everyone feels lonely sometimes, it explains. But for many people with Down syndrome and other intellectual disabilities, loneliness is a more common and painful experience.
