Dozens of models with Downs syndrome take to the catwalk at Bucharest fashion show

Описание: (21 Mar 2026)
RESTRICTION SUMMARY:

++CLIENTS PLEASE NOTE: MUSIC ON THE CATWALK SECTION OF THIS STORY IS NOT CLEARED FOR USE. PLEASE REPLACE WITH YOUR OWN CLEARABLE SELECTION++

ASSOCIATED PRESS
Bucharest, Romania - 18 March 2026
1. Various of prep ahead of fashion show
2. SOUNDBITE (Romanian) Marusica Burlaca, 9 year old model:
“On stage, us children go on parade and today I am dressed in a nice dress and I'll try to do some modelling.”
3. Wide of dressing room
4. SOUNDBITE (Romanian) Ala Burlaca, Marusica’s mother:
“Marusica went on stage six years ago when she was 3, we took part in Moldova fashion days. She only stated to walk back then and she was helped by two girls and she went on parade along with all the other children, that was her first show.”
5. Wide of girl getting dressed
6. SOUNDBITE (Romanian) Georgeta Bucur, organiser, president, Downs Plus Bucharest Organisation:
“This event is really special - it's a premiere. We had fashion shows before but not like this. 50 seamstresses created 50 costumes for 50 youngsters they'd never met. The costumes were created without anyone trying them on. But the most important thing is that the people gathered together again. It's the most beautiful thing that could happen, the fact that us humans still come together."
7. Wide of dressing room
8. SOUNDBITE (Romanian) Antonia Voicu, 19 year old model:
“(On stage) I feel like I'm always fashionable and I like to strike a pose so I like to do it like this… like this and like this… and I m not nervous at all."
9. Mid of dressing room
10. SOUNDBITE (Romanian) Diana Negres, Antonia's carer:
“This event is a big step because she always wanted to parade on stage and to be a star and this event gives her exactly this. This is her first time, we did no preps at all so everything will be spontaneous."
11. Wide of dressing room
12. SOUNDBITE (Romanian) Cristina Bucur, seamstress:
“The idea (of organising such event) came from the fact that my little girl is also a child with disability and I wanted the other children to see what its like to present costume during a fashion show, what its like to be cheered on stage, this is what I wanted for all of them."
13. Wide of children hugging
14. SOUNDBITE (Romanian) Cristina Bucur, seamstress:
“They enjoy it enormously because they see that someone looks at them, that someone does something for them, they enjoy everything, they're even happy for some candy.“
15. Wide of mother combing hair
16. Various of fashion show ++CONTAINS COMMERCIAL MUSIC++
STORYLINE:
Dozens of models with Downs syndrome strutted down a catwalk at a fashion show in Romania’s capital for an evening celebrating style, “atypical beauty” and courage to mark World Downs Syndrome Day.

The SEEN Anonymous Seamstresses Gala in Bucharest brought together designers from across the country, who created garments “with great kindness, care and creativity” for young people with Downs syndrome and other intellectual disabilities.

Georgeta Bucur, the president of Down Plus Bucharest Organization which organized the event, said 50 seamstresses created 50 costumes for 50 youngsters they had never met.

“The costumes were created without anyone trying them on,’’ she said.

“But the most important thing is that the people gathered together again, it's the most beautiful thing that could happen, that fact that us humans still come together for one another," she added.


For 19-year-old Antonia Voicu, who wore a puffy green netted dress and a crown of red roses, taking to stage felt as natural as day.





AP video shot and produced by Nick Dumitrache



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