Inclusion in the High Street,  does it exist?
In years gone by where many people with Down Syndrome have not been recognised for their attributes, their personality or their uniqueness; certainly not on social media and most definitely not on the high street with their advertising, pah!
But times are changing, albeit slowly, but they are changing. The high street are now starting to see individuals for who they are, individuals. They are beginning to be more inclusive as they ignore the label, the stigma of having a model with a difference and giving children and adults alike to be seen, to take centre stage just like their peers.

Why, Not Back Then?
As I was growing up, I do not recall ever meeting a person with a disability. I certainly did not know what Down Syndrome was. Had I led a sheltered life, I don’t believe so but maybe my eyes were closed? Why did the high street not use models with Down Syndrome to showcase their clothes and products? I don’t know the answer, there could have been a policy that discriminated against disability. Yet it seems more likely there were several other reasons as to why people with Down Syndrome were not considered, from the logistics, the unknown, to the fact that there not many models with Down Syndrome actually on any modelling agencies? Who knows?

Why Is It Important Today?
Quite simply, times really are changing, many are tired of seeing the same type of specific model advertise, you know the one, and the public have spoken, ‘We are not all the same shape and size and if you want to continue to get our money then we want to see more people like us – unique and individual’ (They might actually be my words but you get the drift). The high street listened and some started to offer advertising to a variety of models of size, shape, ethnicity and gender. The public started to see models just like themselves. This is so important for our future generations to understand that we are all different yet we all all can inspire others.

Here are some High Street Names & Businesses that are inclusive and have models with Down Syndrome on their portfolio

  • Very UK
  •  M&S
  • Spanish Boutique
  • Little Betty’s Boutique
  • F&F
  • Rebecca Leigh Photography
  • Peekaboo
  • Sainsbury’s
  • Primark
  • Zebedee Management

Can you name anymore?
Inclusion in the high street does it exist, yes it’s getting there but as always more needs to be done. Thank you as always for reading and a huge thank you to the parents of the group  #wouldntchangeathing
for sharing these pictures below.

Until Next Time
Sharon x

Here is supermodel number 1
Here is supermodel number 2
Many supermodels
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