Fashions with Down Syndrome Strut Their Stuff at N.Y.C. Trend Present (Unique)

If any one of many greater than 30 contributors strolling in Gigi’s Playhouse’s seventh annual trend present had been nervous as they hit the runway in New York Metropolis, it didn’t present.

The group — the place PEOPLE’s Alexandra Schonfeld interned with following the beginning of her brother Carter, who has Down syndrome — has a community of Down syndrome achievement facilities throughout the nation (and opened its N.Y.C. location in 2012.)

Their mission? To “empower our numerous contributors to be included within the higher neighborhood, to be their complete selves as they really belong, and to make the world a greater place.”

After simply six weeks of preparation, this yr’s pink carpet was unloaded and the aux twine was plugged in to pump out every mannequin’s music of selection as they walked to cheers at a packed highschool auditorium on the Higher East Aspect on Saturday, March 8.

Members of all ages wore outfits picked particular for the day together with 21-year-old Laura Lyle who noticed the proper gown for the event on Alivia’s web site, a model that highlights artists with disabilities. 

“I noticed this gown, [my caretaker] Kristin actually favored it — I favored it too — so I informed her I actually wished to get it and lo and behold right here I’m,” Lyle, who served as one of many day’s emcees and is a 2025 Gigi’s Playhouse ambassador, tells PEOPLE of floral strapless gown that she paired with a tiara.

“It was a lot enjoyable strolling the runway and rocking the world with my fashion,” she provides

To prepare for the present, which marked Lyle’s seventh look on the annual occasion, she began off the day with meditations and reciting affirmations. 

“I inform myself that I’m stunning and that I really like my physique and that I’m sturdy and I make pals wherever I’m going,” she says.

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And for Malik Jabbar, 21, one other veteran of the annual occasion, there have been no nerves forward of his massive second as a mannequin and co-emcee.

“My favourite half about immediately is seeing a lot of individuals — principally seeing a lot of households … and now we have now new households be a part of which is absolutely pleased and [we’re starting to build up] for the subsequent technology of Gigi’s,” he says

Claudia Holub, a member of Gigi’s younger professionals board who helped to prepare the day, says that a lot went on behind the scenes to make the occasion successful, together with securing a location, ordering meals and drinks and touchdown sponsor.

However, she provides, “our fashions are actually those who made it occur.”

“They signed up: ‘Hey, I wish to do that’, ” she continues. “They got here to rehearsal, they put the trouble in. They mentioned, ‘That is my music. That is what I will do. I will be there two instances to offer you a follow run,’ after which they got here out immediately and did their greatest.”

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For her massive second, Brittany Lee, 28, who walked — and confirmed off her dance strikes — to Beyoncé’s “Break My Soul,” wore an outfit picked out by her mother, Mylinda. The modern ensemble included a bedazzled pink shirt, chain belt and knee excessive boots, which she admitted weren’t probably the most snug. 

“Nevertheless it was okay,” she tells PEOPLE. “I used to be dancing it out.”