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Last year, 18-year-old Madeline Stuart of Brisbane, Australia, made waves by becoming the first major fashion model with Down syndrome. She was quick to let the world know that she wasn’t willing to give up on her dreams.

This year, she’s still going strong. She’s been signed with several fashion and cosmetics brands, has walked the catwalk at New York Fashion Week, is having a doll modeled after her, and has even launched her own line of handbags.

Here we have Stuart walking down the catwalk at New York Fashion Week.

Instagram / carriehammer

She’s been breaking down barriers since her photos went viral last year.

Watch Stuart take a spin on the catwalk in one seriously beautiful outfit:

MyCityLife’s @conanvisser had the privilege of seeing special needs model @madelinesmodelling_ make her @nyfw runway debut at the @ftlmoda show alongside @adrianalima. #nyfw #newyorkfashionweek #madelinestuart #icaniwillaustralia #fashion #fashionweek #modelling #mycitylife

A video posted by MyCityLife (@mycitymylife) on Sep 13, 2015 at 7:31pm PDT

Rosanne Stuart, the brave girl’s mother, accompanied her daughter to New York. They were both extremely excited for the opportunity.

“I think it’s amazing that she’s been given this opportunity,” Rosanne told ABC. “It’s a fantastic platform for us to get our beliefs across on inclusion and disability.” The runway show also featured model Rebekah Marine, who uses a prosthetic arm.

Marine proudly refers to herself as the “bionic model.”

Instagram / rebekahmarine

Marine and Stuart weren’t the only unique models, either.

Instagram / carriehammer

The show featured many women with disabilities, and celebrated the diversity and strength of human bodies.

The FLT Moda show, which featured Marine and Stuart, was organized with the help of the Christopher and Dana Reeve Foundation and Models of Diversity, which is an organization that works to bring more authentic representations into the fashion world.

Here’s Stuart in an edgy outfit and some equally experimental makeup.

Instagram / hendrikvermeulencouture

(via The Mighty, ABC)

It seems that the rigid and unforgiving world of fashion might finally be giving up on its false, unattainable idea of beauty. We’re also seeing an awesome shift in how we perceive disability. A more inclusive fashion world could make a huge difference for people everywhere.

You can follow Rebekah Marine on Instagram to keep up with her fashion adventures, and you can also follow Madeline Stuart on Instagram and Twitter to see what she’s up to these days.

It takes a specific kind of person to become a supermodel…or does it?

The world’s perception on what’s deemed “acceptable” in fashion magazines and advertisements is rapidly changing, and it’s no longer hyper-exclusive to a certain body type, skin tone, or age. Just like what your mother told you when you were younger, you can be anything you want — so why not be a fashion model?

That’s exactly what 18-year-old Madeline Stuart of Brisbane, Australia, thought after making healthier changes in her life.

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The young girl, who has Down syndrome, has dealt with weight issues for the bulk of her young life.

She worked hard to lose 44 pounds, and as a result, she now has a much more body-positive outlook. Maddy is ready for the catwalk.

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With the support her mother Rosanne, Madeline is out to make a name for herself in the world of fashion modeling.

Madeline is currently looking for an agent, but in the meantime, she’s working with Living Dead Clothing.

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Living Dead Clothing often supports models who go against the grain. Madeline recently completed her first shoot with the Australia-based apparel company.

Here’s an awesome shot of Madeline repping the Living Dead brand.

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Check out her awesome Iron Man shirt!

Aside from modeling, Madeline enjoys swimming, hip-hop dancing, and cheerleading.

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She even trained to play cricket in the Special Olympics. She’s coming to the States in July with her dance group for an international competition.

Madeline’s desire to subvert the standard idea of a model is helping her gain traction on social media, where her many fans and her closest friends support her in everything she does.

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“People with Down syndrome can do anything, they just do it at their own pace,” Madeline tells the Daily Mail. “Give them a chance and you will be rewarded beyond your greatest expectations.”

(via BoredPanda, Daily Mail)

Madeline is a hero to anyone who was ever told that they couldn’t be who they wanted to be. I look forward seeing her on billboards and in magazines in the future. Until she gets her first major deal, you can follow her on Twitter and Instagram to see what’s new in her awesome world.