Sofia Jirau, the model with Down syndrome who shone at New York Fashion Week
New York Fashion Week is one of the most important events in terms of fashion. Designers and brand owners seek to break stereotypes.
One example is the young Sofia Jirau, a model who is about to fulfill the dream of her life: to parade for big brands in New York.
Sofia has Down syndrome, something that has by no means prevented her from achieving all her goals throughout her life.
Much of Sofia’s success is due to her mother, Mimi Gonzalez, who raised her daughter with the expectation that she would be an independent woman and never overprotected her despite her condition.
Sofia, even at a very young age, dreamed of modeling for important catwalks in the world, in addition, she wanted to be a singer and dancer, that’s why her mother enrolled her in modeling school in San Juan, Puerto Rico.
In 2019, the young Puerto Rican girl began to parade with several designers in her country such as Kelvin Giovannie.
A year later, Marisa Santiago invited her to participate in her runway during New York Fashion Week.
New York, the dream of her life
Thus, last February 8, 2020, Sofia fulfilled her dream. The New York runway was waiting for her, and with it the eyes of all the public who attended the event to see the fashion show.
After the end of the event, through her Instagram account, Sofia shared how excited she felt to be part of such an important event.
“I fulfilled my dream. I was born for this and I want to show the world that I have everything a model needs to shine. One day I looked in the mirror and said: ‘I’m going to be a model and I’m going to make it to New York’, and look, here I am. I made it and now I want to model all over the world.”
Thanks to the Down Syndrome Foundation of Puerto Rico, which has encouraged young people like Sofia to fulfill their dreams, the now model has also managed to create her own company, called Alavett, in charge of selling T-shirts, purses, hats and even home accessories.
