Australian model with Down Syndrome makes UK debut

Australian child model with a difference Julius Panetta has just made his international modelling debut, starring in a UK campaign for children’s glasses.

“Julius has taken to modelling like a pro but he is not your typical child model,” his mum Catia says. “You see, Julius has Down syndrome. In medical terms, as described in a pamphlet that I was handed during prenatal screening for chromosomal conditions, Julius was ‘not a perfect baby’.”

“But the medical standard doesn’t even compare with the impossible standards of ‘perfection’ of much of the advertising industry,” Catia says. “So I have to admit that it’s been really enriching to watch Julius defy those standards with his natural enthusiasm and trademark character.”

“Increasingly it seems, though mostly overseas at this stage, that models with disability are making inroads into the world of advertising, with high profile brands such as makeup giant L’Oreal, Diesel fashion in the US and UK department store Debenhams embracing diversity in recent ad campaigns,” Catia says.

“Embracing diversity is important because it helps to validate and normalise the participation and inclusion of people with disability in the community, both as consumers and more generally, and to challenge and help dispel the stigma, stereotypes and misconceptions that still exist,” Catia says.

“I also feel that showing diversity in advertising is a lot healthier, not to mention more interesting, than holding up a largely unrealistic, unattainable and clinically narrow standard for adults, let alone children, to squeeze their self-image and worth within,” Catia says.

“The representation of, for example, different body shapes, skin colours and disability dilutes the destructive power of the ‘perfection’ message and broadens the standard to a more representative and inclusive range – a healthier range, both physically and mentally, for individuals, like my two young daughters, and for society as a whole,” Catia says.

Julius has just won his first international modelling contract, appearing in Tomato Glasses’ new campaign.

Julius with his sisters Laura, six, and Drea, two.