22-Year-Old Model With Down Syndrome Fulfilled Her Dream Of Modeling At New York Fashion Week

Puerto Rican Sofia Jirau, 22, a model with Down syndrome from Puerto Rico, fulfilled her dream of modeling in New York while flying the flag for inclusivity by walking the runway at New York Fashion Week (NYFW) for the very first time. The young woman’s purpose is to inspire people all around the world and believes there are no limits to what she can achieve and won’t rest until the world wakes up to see her potential. She said in her Instagram bio “You can accomplish your dreams too!”

Sofía Jirau is a fashion model with Down syndrome who recently modeled at one of the biggest fashion events in the world – the New York Fashion Week

 

Sofia told PEOPLE magazine, “When I was little, I looked myself in the mirror and said, ‘I’m going to be a model and a businesswoman.” Also said “I felt really good the first time. Everyone clapped for me.” At just 22 years of age, she has already achieved both goals. Jirau wrote also in her post on Instagram, “born for this and I want to show the world that I have everything a model needs to shine” beside a beautiful photo captured from halfway down the NYFW runway. “I want to show the world that I have everything a model needs to shine.”

 

Recognizing her talent, a team of volunteers has devoted their time to help her complete her goals and work out the logistics behind her fashion and photoshoots. But they’ve stopped their work because Jirau now plans to travel to Europe and show off her modeling skills at the highly sought out runways there. She said confidently, “I’m going to Europe later. And to the rest of the world.” Now, Jirau is focusing her time and energy on her dream of becoming a successful businesswoman with her own clothing line named Alavett. The brand’s name came from how Jirau spells out her favorite words to say: “I love it.”

“I felt really good the first time. Everyone clapped for me,” the model recalled her debut

Revealing that she sells everything like t-shirts, hats, and stickers with the signature brand name and heart doodle. While she is an inspiration for many people, one of Sofía’s biggest inspirations is Jennifer Lopez and hopes to meet the fame one day. “I want to meet Jennifer Lopez. I like how she dresses and how she is. I love all of her clothes. I love her songs, her CDs, her photos. Everything,” she said.