Mum of little girl with Down’s syndrome 'proud' as daughter lands modelling campaign
A schoolgirl with Down's syndrome has become the latest face of multiple big brand campaigns including River Island.
Grace Castle, from Leeds, is just five years old, but has already built up a pretty impressive modelling portfolio.
Castle, who was diagnosed with Down’s syndrome at birth, only started modelling two years ago, but she’s already got shoots for the likes of River Island and JD Sports under her belt.
If her modelling career continues in the way it is going, it won't be long before she's joining supermodel Madeline Stuart on the catwalk.
The 25-year-old redhead is the world's first professional catwalk model with Down's syndrome, having walked more than 100 runways and posed in ads for prestigious brands like Diesel.
Read more: River Island's brilliant new kids clothing campaign features children with disabilities
This long-overdue rise in inclusivity in the modelling industry is something Grace's mother, Linda Castle, 44, is hoping her daughter will continue to help promote.
"It's really interesting what we perceive as beauty because we're so used to seeing 'unreal' types of people used to sell clothes," says Castle, who runs a café in Garforth, Leeds.
As well as being hugely proud of her daughter's achievements, Castle is thrilled that big brands are encouraging diversity within their advertising.
"I'm so proud to see different people beginning to be represented," she says.
"There is still a long way to go to change what we perceive as 'normal' but it's refreshing to see brands becoming more integral and real in their approach."
Read more: Doctors said she would never walk. This brave toddler proved them wrong
"When she got to eight months old, we began looking online for support groups," her mum continues.
Her mum describes the day as being "one of the happiest of our lives".
Since kicking off her modelling career two years ago, Grace has made a name for herself taking part in adverts for CBeebies, Children in Need, JD sports, as well as securing repeat bookings for River Island.
"It was a surprising diagnosis and we were trying to figure out what could be done for her situation.
"We came across a group in Scunthorpe which initially did dance and drama for children with learning difficulties but then it became a modelling agency and we wanted to try it for a bit of fun.
"She was on their books and we went down to London for her first shoot with the clothing company, Boden and she ended up in their catalogue which was amazing."
Watch: CBeebies praised for announcing new presenter with Down's Syndrome
Since kicking off her modelling career two years ago, Grace has made quite the name for herself taking part in adverts for CBeebies, Children in Need, JD sports, as well as securing repeat bookings for River Island.
After a quiet period during the COVID-19 pandemic, bookings are now flooding in for the school girl, with the family recently been flown out to Spain for a shoot.
"Grace absolutely loves the camera and has a great time doing it," Castle continues.
"During the River Island shoots, she gets to play or do an activity and they take candid photos of her.
"It's just all for a bit of fun and the money can go towards her future."
Her older siblings Josh, 14, Kara, 13 and Brooke, eight, are incredibly proud of their little sister, as are her school friends and those from her support groups.
"They love seeing her out there because everybody wants to see somebody who looks like them," Castle says.
"Everyone in her school knows her and the mums and kids loved seeing her pop up on their TV – she's got a bit of a celebrity status on the playground!"
Read more: Disabled man calls out people who assume his girlfriend is his carer
Grace is just one of a growing number of inspiring children and young people helping to challenge modelling norms.
Kate Grant, from Cookstown in Co Tyrone is also blazing a trail for others with disabilities.
The 23-year-old, who also has Down's syndrome, recently became a brand ambassador for cosmetics giant Benefit and has also been crowned champion in the Teen Ultimate Beauty Of The World pageant.
“She is paving the way for people coming behind her," her mum Deirdre Grant says.
“She is aware of that and wants to spread awareness about inclusion for people with disabilities and that is what she has done from the very start.
“She is aware that she is able to do that in a way some of her friends cannot. She is using her voice for them.”
Meanwhile teenager Joseph Hale also recently landed a campaign as model for River Island.
Hale was recruited by the high street fashion brand for its latest children’s campaign and was credited as an inspiration for promoting equality in the fashion industry.
“Disability should not define them,” Hale’s mother, Karen, told the Grimsby Telegraph. “Joseph is a person. His Down's is a small part of him. There is a lot more to see than the face value.”
Additional reporting Caters.
