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Toddler With Down's Syndrome Becomes Face Of Children's Fashion Campaign

Toddler With Down's Syndrome Becomes Face Of Children's Fashion Campaign

Little Eleanor loves looking at her photographs

Dominic Smithers

Dominic Smithers

A two-year-old tot with Down's Syndrome has become the face of a new children's fashion campaign.

Little Eleanor Manton, from Leamington Spa, Warwickshire, was chosen to front JoJo Maman Bébé's autumn/winter 2020 catalogue after she was spotted by a talent scout.

But due to the ongoing pandemic, proud mum Helen Manton, 36, had to take the fashion shots at home using her iPhone, with dad Craig, 40, doing silly dances to keep their girl entertained.

Helen said she was over the moon when she received the email asking if Eleanor would like to be involved.

She said: "When I saw those campaign images I don't think the phrase 'bursting with pride' cuts it.

"Just seeing her little beaming face, she's just a ray of light, she was incredible, it makes me really, really proud."

Little Eleanor is the face of a new fashion campaign.
Kennedy News and Media

Helen said it's great to see children like Eleanor being given the space and the opportunity to be in the limelight.

She added: "It's unbelievably important for people with Down's Syndrome to be seen in the mainstream media.

"When we walk to the park we might not get the odd looks anymore, hopefully one day we won't get the stares."

The scouts spotted Eleanor on her parents' Instagram account, which documents the family's journey.

Helen said: "We share regular, everyday stuff, it's mainly a feel-good positivity page just to show the reality and how amazing the reality is.

The tiny tot loves looking at her pictures.
Kennedy News and Media

"Early in lockdown I was posting normal every-day stuff from her then one night I looked at my emails and I couldn't believe my eyes.

"I had an email from JoJo asking if she'd be in the autumn/winter 2020 campaign. I was ecstatic, I was literally jumping for joy, it was amazing.

"A couple of days later lots of lovely clothes arrived and we started taking pictures."

And the couple recently got their hands on a couple of copies of the catalogue.

Helen said she and Craig were delighted with the results and that his silly dance moves seem to have worked a treat.

She said: "I couldn't believe it was there in front of me, it's amazing.

"Eleanor loves it, she was looking at herself in the catalogue and saying 'that's me' in Makaton [signs and symbols which help people communicate and develop spoken language], I just love the fact that she's old enough to recognise herself.

Helen and Craig took the snaps at their home using an iPhone.
Kennedy News and Media

"We'll always have that catalogue and can show it to her in 20 years' time."

The couple say this is a major step in helping gain acceptance for children who are born with Down's Syndrome.

Helen said: "The more people like Eleanor are out there in mainstream inclusive fashion then the better it will be.

"Eleanor's a fun-loving little girl, she's just a joy from the moment she wakes up to the second she goes to bed.

"She's absolutely transformed our lives for the better."

A JoJo Maman Bébé spokesman said: "We saw Helen, Eleanor's mum, had tagged us in some photos on her Instagram.

"Helen takes great pictures and Eleanor is beautiful so we got in touch to see if they would like to take part in the campaign.

"Their photos are amazing, just what we were looking for, it looks like they had a lot of fun."

Featured Image Credit: Kennedy News and Media

Topics: UK News, UK Community