Two-year-old Eleanor Manton has become the latest face of a fashion campaign, all thanks to a children’s clothing brand finding her on Instagram.
JoJo Maman Bébé spotted the toddler with Down syndrome online and thought she’d be ideal for their autumn/winter 2020 catalog.
According to The Sun, Eleanor’s pictures caught the scouts’ attention, and her mom, Helen, couldn’t contain her excitement when the retailer contacted her about the chance.
“When I saw those campaign images I don’t think the phrase ‘bursting with pride’ cuts it,” Helen explained. “Just seeing her little beaming face, she’s just a ray of light, was incredible, it makes me really, really proud.”
JoJo Maman Bébé took a different approach by sending the clothes to a family in Leamington Spa, Warwickshire, allowing them to take pictures of their little model.
Dad Craig took on the crucial role of being the “chief smile coordinator” for the toddler, and Helen used her iPhone for the photography. Eleanor looked cheerful in a red sweater, patterned leggings, and booties during the outdoor photoshoot.
“It’s important for people with Down syndrome to be seen in the mainstream media,” the proud mom explained. “The more people like Eleanor are out there in mainstream inclusive fashion then the better it will be.”
Helen informed the BBC that the model on the cover also sees herself in the pictures for the campaign, expressing excitement, “That’s me.”
JoJo Maman Bébé 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.”
