British Vogue cover for Jewish Down’s Syndrome model

A 21-year old from Ilford has realised her dream to become the first model with Down’s Syndrome to grace the cover of British Vogue.

Ellie Goldstein is one of five cover stars featured in the fashion bible’s May 2023 “Dynamic, Daring and Disabled” issue.

Speaking to Vogue, she said: “My disability has taught me to be ‘me’ – and not to be scared of doing things louder in the world. [It’s about] following your hopes and dreams. Never give up, be who you are and smile all the way.”

In 2020, Goldstein broke the Internet after an Instagram post for Gucci Beauty in conjunction with Vogue Italia, went viral.

Featured as the Italian fashion house’s first Down Syndrome model, her picture racked up 800,000 ‘likes’, it’s most liked post, ever.

Goldstein began her modelling career in 2017, signing to the Zebedee talent agency, which largely works with models with disabilities. She has since worked on campaigns for Adidas and Victoria’s Secret and is an ambassador for the learning disability charity Mencap.

She told Vogue: “Everyone should be seen and not hidden. [People with disabilities] can be easily overlooked and written off. We are the same as everyone else, sometimes a bit slower in things, but we need to be given a chance.”

She lives with her mother Yvonne, father Mark, sister Amy and nephew Blake.