Lily Beddall, 2, won the modelling contract with fashion retailer Matalan, which means her picture will now be on show in every one of the chain’s 217 UK stores.
Her proud mother Vicki Beddall, 37, from Sawbridgeworth, said ‘it’s the best thing to have happened’ to the family.
She added: ‘The contract is all about inclusion and changing the face of beauty. It is wonderful that Matalan chose a child with Down syndrome.
‘We are so proud of her and we are so proud of everything she has achieved.
‘Down syndrome is not what you expect. It is hard work sometimes, but she was going to be hard work anyway as she is two years old.’
After her photo went up in the stores, Vicki and Lily’s dad Eddie, 44, took her to see the result of her work.
Little Lily recognised herself straight away and even posed in front of her picture.
The full-time mother said: ‘She is the face of her age group and her photo is in every Matalan in the UK.
‘It came about because we are involved with Harlow charity Upwards with Downs. Matalan wanted a child model who had Down syndrome and the agency contacted and asked if they had models.
‘They phoned us and we said we would like to do it. She had the photos taken at the end of November.’
‘It’s all about breaking down stereotypes and showing that beauty comes in all shapes, sizes and abilities.’
In 2016 a four-year-old girl with Down syndrome became a Matalan catalogue model.
Rosie Daniels’ mum Rachel, 45, wrote to the retail giant and said it would be refreshing to see more diversity in their advertising.
This then led to her little girl being offered the opportunity to model a range of the store’s clothes.
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