Advocates with Down Syndrome ate and left no crumbs at this year’s “Fashion With Us” gala hosted by the Down Syndrome Family Network (DSFN). As they strutted down the runway with undeniable confidence alongside professional counterparts, the models proved that true style knows no boundaries.
The glamorous affair, held on June 14 at the Hyatt Regency in Port-of-Spain, celebrated the event’s 15th anniversary.
Draped in a stunning array of pieces from 13 of the country’s most celebrated designers, the catwalk became a masterclass in local style, from Meiling’s signature minimalist linen structures and Heather Jones’s vibrant, painterly tropical prints to the sharp, sophisticated tailoring synonymous with Ecliff Elie. The showcase also highlighted the ethereal designs of Charu Lochan Dass, Dominique La Roche’s avant-garde edge, the culturally rooted textiles of The Cloth, and eye-catching Indian couture from Neha Karina and silks from Lisa Faye.
There were emotional moments throughout the evening as the self-advocates high-fived or winked at each other while walking the runway, perfectly capturing the event’s aim: true inclusion. They received thunderous applause from the packed audience, which included Leader of the Opposition Pennelope Beckles.
DSFN chairman and founder Glen Niles brought this reality home when he took his own turn in the spotlight. Dressed in an all-black ensemble and striking a pose for the cameras, he shared a joke with the crowd, quipping, “Y’all know I couldn’t resist that, right?”
The laughter, however, quickly gave way to a serious call to action. Emphasising that while the night was a tribute, he said it was also a renewed plea for policy progress.
“Small steps to giant leaps,” he stated. “We need legislation that will give them the opportunity to fight for their own rights.”
Niles and the DSFN have been long-standing advocates for the formalisation of the Persons with Disabilities Bill, frequently covered by local media, which seeks to guarantee protections in education, employment, and healthcare.
“We all need to remember, disabilities can happen to anyone, at any time. We need your voices to call for legislation. It is amazing we do not have the support to protect and empower people with disabilities living in our paradise islands.”
Lisa Ghany, Managing Director of Xceptional Events and Chairperson of Events and Sponsorship for the DSFN, said the idea for the show was inspired when the DSFN brought professional model Monica Myers from Toronto, Canada, to speak at their World Down Syndrome Day Conference.
“We decided to host a fashion show to celebrate her visit and to engage our self-advocates.”
The ‘Fashion With Us’ affair, guided by the vision of the event’s Creative Director, Richard Young, hopes to dismantle stereotypes still held by so many.
She told WE in an interview, “People with Down syndrome are breaking all the glass ceilings globally because they are provided with the opportunity to learn, to participate, and to be treated equally. That is our goal for Trinidad and Tobago.”
All proceeds rfom the event will fuel the DSFN’s quarterly family workshops, which offer critical life skills and information, as well as their dedicated mentorship programme for young adults within the community. The curtains came down with a surprise, spirited performance by rising star Angelo Gore singing Bob Marley’s “Three Little Birds” and Machel Montano’s “Encore”, much to the delight of models and spectators alike.
