Valentina Guerrero looking adorable.
Valentina Guerrero, 10 months, is the new face of Spanish swimwear label Dolores Cortés. Gerrero, who has Down syndrome, is not only on the cover of the US catalogue, she’s also the ‘face’ of the new campaign. Adweek.com reports that last Friday, Cortés, brought Valentina out on to the runway after her fashion show in Miami beach.
"People with Down syndrome are just as beautiful and deserve the same opportunities. I'm thrilled to have Valentina modeling for us," Cortés said.
Which is wonderful. You know what else is wonderful? That a person with Down syndrome has a visible presence in an industry known for its narrow standards of beauty and general marginalisation of anyone who doesn’t fit those narrow standards. This just in: Down syndrome people exist and it’s pathetic and dehumanising to suggest they don’t.
But before we throw a bunch of balloons in the air, we just thought we’d ask the question: is modelling the new standard of visibility now? Like, does a spin on a runway mean progress? Is our society so skewed toward a ‘modelling is best’ ideal that once you appear in a catalogue you can sit back and relax, knowing that you’ve effectively wiped out years of prejudice against any person with special needs? That seems kind of perverse doesn’t it? Or are we acting like the glass is half empty here?
What do you think?
Source: Adweek.com via Jezebel.
