NEW YORK, NY – SEPTEMBER 07: Designer Madeline Stuart walks the runway during the MADELINE STUART 21 REASONS WHY Show At New York Fashion Week Powered By Art Hearts Fashion NYFW at The Angel Orensanz Foundation on September 7, 2018 in New York City. (Photo by JP Yim/Getty Images for Art Hearts Fashion)
Madeline, you really don’t need any introduction, it is such a privilege to interview you, I’m such a big fan of yours. Thank you so much for taking the time to do this. Our readers think you are an incredible role model and a huge inspiration and it’s been a thrill reading your responses.
Huge congratulations on your LFW debut! I was thrilled to see you walk the runway. How does LFW compare to NY and PFW?
I love London Fashion Week! It is always an incredible experience. The designers were amazing, it is a different experience to NY as things are a lot more serious in London, the croud seem to be more serious as well so there is a little extra pressure which I like as it is always good to have a challenge.
Who were your favourite designers this season?
I really enjoyed walking for the Swedish school of textiles in London, I thought they were incredibly talented. In NYFW one of my favorite’s was Burning Guitars as there style is hip streetwear.
I read that you decided to become a model after watching a fashion show in Brisbane with your mum, what was it about this that inspired you so much to take the modelling path?
Yes, I hadn’t even thought about modelling before. When I went to the fashion show with my mum I was watching the models and they looked so happy and confident on the catwalk and I knew I wanted to try it.
And talk us through your weight loss journey, you lost 44lbs/20kg. This is such a big thing to do.
It all began because I was struggling to keep up with my dance class so my mum told me the best thing to do would be to try and get fitter and healthier. So I decided that’s what I would do. I started with swimming but I found I didn’t really like it very much so then I tried the gym. I go and work out with a personal trainer every day and I love it! I also started eating healthier and having smaller portions of food. I lead a very active lifestyle, I do cricket, gym dance and drama so that also helps to stay fit!
Your mum, Roseanne is your biggest cheerleader, how much of an inspiration has she been?
She has been my biggest inspiration! I love my mum and she is my best friend. I wouldn’t have been able to achieve everything I have without her by my side encouraging me the whole time.
You have nearly 200k followers on insta (I am one of them), how has social media impacted your career?
Social Media has really helped my career! Without my large platform on social media I wouldn’t have been able to spread my message of inclusion as far as I have! I have been able to educate over 188 thousand people to help the world become a more diverse and inclusive place.
How does if feel to be considered a “game changer” knowing you are such a role model for so many young girls and women?
To be named Forbes no. 1 fashion game changer was amazing! I was named no 1 for normalizing down syndrome which is my biggest goal in life. I was incredibly proud of what I had achieved.
What show would you love to walk in?
I think every models dream is to walk in the Victoria Secret show and mine is no different! It would be dream come true to walk for Victoria secret or Kalvin Klein.
What are your hopes, dreams and aspirations for the future?
I hope to continue to break down barriers in the fashion industry. It has come a long way but it still has a long way to go I hope to continue to make it a more inclusive and diverse platform. As for the catwalk, I hope that over the next few seasons I can walk for some incredible designers like Versace or Chanel.
What advice would you give young girls today who feel peer pressured to conform to a certain look/lifestyle/image?
The best advice I could give is to believe in yourself, looks are only a small part of what make you beautiful. Kindness and confidence is what truly makes you beautiful both on the inside and the outside. Know your worth and remind yourself every day that you are amazing and you are loved.
Dislamer – “Madeline Stuart’s answers were written with the assistance of her mum, Rosanne Stuart”