Grace Strobel is the up-and-coming model blazing a trail for people with Down syndrome
It was only two years ago that Grace Strobel decided she wanted to be a model.
Things have progressed quickly. Now 24, Strobel has signed with three agencies, appeared on the “Today” show and worked with international brands.
As Strobel and her parents told Today, it all started with a few photos on Facebook. The family had recently learned about Ellie Goldstein, a teenage British model who, like Strobel, also had Down syndrome.
“I saw an article about Ellie, and I asked my mom if I could be a model,” Strobel told Forbes earlier this year. “And she said, ‘I don’t see why not! Let’s do this.'”
The Facebook photos quickly went viral and led to magazine appearances and a spot at Atlantic City Fashion Week. Next thing she knew, Strobel was meeting some of her fashion icons, like Priyanka Chopra.
A post shared by Grace Strobel (@grace_strobel) on Jun 12, 2020 at 8:04am PDT
Throughout it all, Strobel has maintained a clear perspective on her success. She wants to set an example for others.
As she’s pointed out in interviews and on her TikTok page, the more visible models with Down syndrome there are now, the more there’ll be in the future.
“I think people with disabilities sometimes feel invisible,” Strobel says in one of her TikToks. “We want to be seen, heard and valued.”
@gracestrobel1996 Being represented as part of the population is huge ! ##itstartsontiktok##youmatter##positiveenergy##downsyndrome##beinspired##fyp##prettyface
♬ original sound – Grace Strobel
That visibility reached a new level for Strobel earlier this fall, when she became the first model with Down syndrome to represent a major skincare brand in the U.S.
When she announced her collaboration with the brand Obagi Clinical, the 24-year-old said it marked one of the “most exciting” days of her life.
“This is a huge step forward for full diversity and inclusion for people with disabilities. THANK YOU Obagi for your unwavering commitment,” the model wrote on Instagram.
Modeling gives Strobel a great sense of joy, and it’s something she plans to focus on for the foreseeable future. Given all the success she’s had, there doesn’t seem to be much reason to slow down.
@gracestrobel1996 Find your gift. You are here to make an impact ! ##dreams##beconfident##fyp##downsyndrome##modelgirl
♬ Solo – Clean Bandit,Demi Lovato
Check out In The Know’s interview with Twitch star Sweet Anita, who uses her platform to raise awareness for young people suffering from Tourette’s syndrome.
More from In The Know:
Ellie Goldstein is a model with Down syndrome and the new face of Gucci Beauty
19-year-old TikToker demonstrates how to grocery shop while blind
Starbucks is opening its first sign language store in Japan
Meet Aarón Acosta, the quadruple amputee who’s one of TikTok’s favorite dance stars
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