Down syndrome models light up the runway at Jeddah bazaar

Down syndrome models light up the runway at Jeddah bazaar

JEDDAH: Fashion can be a powerful tool to get a designer’s message across, and while runway shows are generally exclusive, one Saudi events agency decided to be inclusive about causes that really matter. Basamat Arabia’s three-day bazaar in Jeddah featured child models from the Help Center — a pioneering organization in Saudi Arabia caring for children with disabilities, including Down syndrome. The young models joined their professional counterparts on the runway to the delight of both organizers and onlookers during the event. Basamat Arabia’s owner, Aisha Al-Mami, told Arab News that she has long admired the Help Center’s efforts on behalf of disabled children, adding that the bazaar took place “in the month of giving back.” “We’re in the generous month of Ramadan; it’s the month of giving back and the Help Center personally means a lot to me,” she said. “I’m a big fan, and am inspired by all the effort and amazing work that they do for the kids.” Al-Mami said that she “absolutely loved” the idea of mixing child models from the Help Center with professional models. “It was so lovely and I was so happy to see my idea come to life,” she said. “The girls