“I Was Born For This.” Model With Down Syndrome Shines At New York Fashion Week.

Sofía Jirau knows she was born to turn heads on the runway.

The 22-year-old model from Puerto Rico is stunning, after all. But she’s also helping the fashion industry become more inclusive, particularly by taking the stage during one of their most iconic events!

Instagram

Sofía, who has Down syndrome, broke into the modeling world last year when she joined the INprende Agency, but she’s always known this is what she was meant to do.

“I was born for this, and I want to show the world that I have everything a model needs to shine,” she wrote on Instagram.

Instagram

She most certainly does! Over the past year, Sofía has worked with multiple designers, including Kelvin Giovannie and Marisa Santiago. In fact, she wore the latter’s dress while participating in New York Fashion Week!

Instagram

Heads were definitely turning as Sofía strutted down the world-famous runway on February 10. For her, it was a celebration and culmination of all the hard work she’s put in to make it this far – while her many fans cheered her on!

“One day I looked in the mirror and said, ‘I’m going to be a model, and I’m going to get to New York,’ and look here I am,” she said. “I made it, and now I want to model worldwide.”

View this post on Instagram

Un día me miré al espejo y dije “yo voy a ser modelo y yo voy a llegar a New York” y miren aquí estoy. Lo logré y ahora quiero modelar en todo el mundo. #Nyfw #fashionweek #downsyndrome #sindromededown #dream #goals #alavett

A post shared by Sofía Jirau • (@sofiajirau) on Feb 9, 2020 at 2:45pm PST

This is only the beginning for Sofía, who recently launched her own line of clothing, accessories, and home decor! She’s calling the brand Alavett after her favorite phrase: “I love you.” As for modeling, she hopes to find her next job in Europe.

If there’s one thing she wants to show others through her work, it’s this: “Inside and out, there are no limits. You can accomplish your dreams too!”

Instagram

What an incredible role model! The sky’s the limit for Sofía, who is already achieving so much with her newfound fame.

Share this story with your friends to encourage them to pursue their dreams.

Share your story & inspire the world.
If you have an uplifting story we would love to hear about it! Share it with us here.