Models with Down syndrome in Romania strike a pose for World Down Syndrome Day

BUCHAREST, Romania (AP) 鈥� Dozens of models with Down syndrome at a fashion show in capital for an evening celebrating style, 鈥渁typical beauty鈥� and courage to mark World Down Syndrome Day.

The SEEN Anonymous Seamstresses Gala in Bucharest brought together designers from across the country, who created garments 鈥渨ith great kindness, care and creativity鈥� for young people with Down syndrome and other intellectual disabilities.

Georgeta Bucur, the president of Down Plus Association Bucharest, which organized the event held on Wednesday at the Romexpo center, said 50 seamstresses each created a costume for a youngster they had never met.

鈥淭he costumes were created without anyone trying them on,” she said. 鈥淏ut the most important thing is that the people gathered together again. This event is really special … it鈥檚 the most beautiful thing that could happen.鈥�

For 19-year-old Antonia Voicu, who wore a puffy green netted dress and a crown of red roses, taking the stage was like a dream come true.

鈥淚 feel like I鈥檓 always fashionable, and I like to strike a pose, so I like to do like this,鈥� she said, before stepping on the runway. 鈥淚鈥檓 not nervous at all.鈥�

Antonia鈥檚 caretaker, Diana Negres, said the event was 鈥渁 big step鈥� for Antonia, who had always dreamed of 鈥渂eing a star鈥� parading on stage. 鈥淭his event gives her exactly this,鈥� she said. 鈥淭his is her first time, we did no preparation at all, so everything will be spontaneous.鈥�

Cristina Bucur, a seamstress and one of the organizers, said 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鈥檚 like to wear a costume during a fashion show, what it鈥檚 like to be cheered on stage,鈥� she said. 鈥淭hey enjoy it enormously because they see that someone looks at them, that someone does something for them.鈥�

In Romania, about 12,000 people have Down syndrome, and 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.

鈥淥n stage, us children go on a parade, and today I鈥檓 dressed in a nice dress and try to do some modeling,鈥� said nine-year-old Marusika Burlaca, who took to the stage wearing a pink dress studded with little pearls after having her hair done up.

鈥淢aybe they get a bit nervous at times, it鈥檚 the emotions, but they really like to be the center of attention,鈥� said Larisa Bucur, one of the organizers. 鈥淲e know that they want to be in the spotlight. I think it鈥檚 a very good opportunity for them.鈥�

World Down Syndrome Day celebrates the lives of people with Down syndrome to make sure they have equal freedoms and opportunities, and to raise awareness. In 2011, the United Nations General Assembly declared March 21 as the official day of observation.

This year鈥檚 theme is combating loneliness, which the World Down Syndrome Day website says can have an outsized impact on people living with Down syndrome.

鈥淓veryone feels lonely sometimes,鈥� it states. 鈥淏ut for many people with Down syndrome and other intellectual disabilities, loneliness is a more common and painful experience.鈥�

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McGrath reported from Leamington Spa, England.