Ellie Goldstein: Meet the Jewish catwalk star with Down's Syndrome

Models are not known for professing a love of bread — much less of challah. But Jewish catwalk star Ellie Goldstein cannot get enough of the braided loaf.

Goldstein is unique in more ways than one: in May she became the first model with Down’s syndrome to grace the cover of Vogue, after racking up numerous high-profile campaigns.

Her appearance on the cover of the fashion bible came a month after she launched Mattel’s first Barbie doll with Down’s syndrome and, to top off her year of firsts, she will publish her debut book in September — all before she turns 22.

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Ellie Goldstein (Photo: Yvonne Goldstein)

Goldstein grew up in Ilford, east London, and dreamt of becoming a catwalk star for years before her big breakthrough.

“When I was small I wanted to walk a catwalk,” she says.

Her mother, Yvonne, who sits in on the interview, can vouch for that: “Her success is a surprise, but in some ways, it’s not,” she says.

“When she was small, my mum always said, ‘Ellie’s going to be something one day, she’ll be on the telly and have her own show.’ Even at the time, Ellie agreed. She always said she was going to be famous.”

Goldstein was scouted five years ago, and since then has enjoyed a rapid rise through the modelling world.

First it was Superdrug, then Nike, and in 2020, aged 18, she made the leap to high fashion when she was selected to front a beauty campaign for Gucci, and was featured in an editorial for Italian Vogue.

Ellie Gildstein on the Cover of Vogue.

Ellie on the cover of Vogue (Photo: Vogue)

An image from the shoot shared on social media became Gucci Beauty’s most-liked Instagram post ever.

“It was amazing, but completely overwhelming,” says Yvonne.

“It just all got so mad with interviews and her on the telly.”

You might think the pressures of fame would come with a price, but Goldstein has taken it all in her stride.

What’s it like walking a catwalk? “Easy for me,” she says. Posing in front a camera? “Easy… I’m confident and I’ve always been like that.”

She has cried at times — but they were tears of joy — like when she landed the Vogue cover.

The feedback she has received has been nothing but positive, she says.

Comments from the public have ranged from compliments on her eyebrows to pronouncing her a role model.

Ellie Goldstein Credit Instagram (4)

Ellie Goldstein (Photo: Instagram)

The warmth with which she has been received is in stark contrast to Goldstein’s early days. When her daughter was born, Yvonne says the response from doctors was “entirely negative”.

“It was quite hard to get our head around… We just had to take one day at a time,” she recalls.

Primary school was challenging, and Goldstein found the work difficult: “I didn’t like the maths [but] I was good at the English,” she says.

Now, after leaving secondary school, where she had a more comfortable experience, the model is studying performing arts at college: “I’ve done four shows,” she beams.

Reflecting on her career she says: “I love the camera… I like it when people are taking pictures of me.”

Her confidence knows no bounds – attending the Barbie premiere recently, Goldstein met the Hollywood star Ryan Gosling. Asked if she had been lost for words, Goldstein looks confused: “Why would I be starstruck?” she asks.

Goldstein exudes natural confidence but she credits her family with helping her along the way.

The Goldsteins are a tight-knit family, who come together every Friday to bring in Shabbat, with Goldstein lighting the candles. They also enjoy celebrating the holidays: “I love Chanukah,” Goldstein declares.

Ellie Goldstein birthday (Photo- Yvonne Goldstein)

Ellie Goldstein on her birthday (Photo: Yvonne Goldstein)

“I like the songs, and I love lighting the candles on the menorah”. Her favourite part, though, is the “food and the presents”, especially the bread.

Goldstein revels in the hair, make-up and “sparkly dresses” she gets to wear. Her ultimate dream now is to live in New York.

Away from the make-up chairs and photoshoots, the model is looking forward to the publication of her forthcoming book, Against All Odds.

The non-fiction title traces Goldstein’s journey in overcoming the hardships she has faced and making history in the fashion world.

The aim of the book is simple: “To inspire people with disabilities” and to push for more representation of disabled people.

Disabled models should not be a token but a standard in the world of fashion, she believes.

Most of all, Goldstein is determined that everybody knows “that people can achieve what I’ve done with Down’s syndrome”.

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The Jewish catwalk star with Down's Syndrome who has graced the cover of Vogue

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