Model With Down Syndrome Takes Fashion Week by Storm

History was made at New York Fashion Week today: Jamie Brewer was the first model with Down syndrome to walk during the major style event. You may already recognize Jamie, who is known for her role on the popular TV show American Horror Story, and now she can add runway model to her résumé. Jamie took the catwalk for designer Carrie Hammer, who is continuing her Role Models Not Runway Models campaign. In her first runway show last season, Carrie sent several inspiring women down the catwalk in her made-to-measure workwear designs. The powerful ladies ranged from CEOs and entrepreneurs to transgender women and even one amazing quadruple amputee. Since Carrie designs for a diverse range of body types, it's only fitting that her models represent her clientele.

This season, we had a chance to go backstage again and chat with all the inspiring models, including Jamie. In the backstage area before the show, Jamie was bubbling up with excitement about her hairstyle — she had decided to wear a chignon, but there was a little debate about the bangs: blunt or sideswept? Just like the other models in the room, she was sporting a fierce red pout.

Was she anxious about her runway debut? Hardly. "People carry nervousness, and they can really show it sometimes," she said. "With me, I channel it into excitement. I remind myself that even though this is an upscale event, I don't let the nerves kick in."

Her catwalk plan was to just be herself — a winning idea, in our opinion. She told Today, "Young girls and even young women . . . [see me] and say, 'Hey, if she can do it, so can I. It's a true inspiration being a role model for any young women to [encourage them] in being who they are and showing who they are."

Keep reading to see more beautiful images of Jamie!