Ellie Goldstein

We are so proud of our student Ellie who is one of five disabled trailblazers who are featured on the cover of a British Vogue magazine disability issue. Titled Reframing Fashion, the edition, published in May 2023, focuses on disabled people from the worlds of fashion, sport and the arts.

Ellie, now 21, began her journey at New City College on the Level 1 Performing Arts course where she discovered her passion for Dance and Performing Arts. Since then, she has worked hard and progressed onto the Level 3 course, honing her skills and talents every step of the way.

But she’s not only a student, Ellie is also a model and has already achieved what most models only dream of – gracing the cover of British Vogue!

Ellie, who has Down’s syndrome, works to make the fashion world more inclusive and her hard work is truly paying off. She says she wants to be a role model to others in the industry and she was honoured to be asked to do the cover of Vogue.

British Vogue editor Edward Enninful said that working on the disability issue was ‘one of the proudest moments of my career’.

Ellie is an inspiration to us all, reminding us that with hard work and determination, anything is possible.

From Gucci to Adidas, Ellie’s modelling campaigns have inspired everyone to never give up on their dreams.

The bubbly student, who studies at Redbridge campus, was also named as one of Fabulous Magazine’s Women of the Year 2021 for making the fashion industry more inclusive. Her name appears on the magazine’s list of fabulous women alongside Her Majesty The Queen and Adele!

Ellie is fast becoming a celebrity with an unveiling of a statue by Tower Bridge in London, as part of an Adidas campaign, called #supportiseverything.

The words on the statue say: “Ellie believes in the beauty of accessibility and the celebration of her own disability. Ellie has continually overcome societal norms to become a globally successful model. Her campaigns have broken records and she’s also featured on the cover of several magazines. As well as modelling Ellie is passionate about performing arts and dance, which provides her with the freedom to showcase her character and personality. Ellie believes that anyone with hidden or visible disabilities should be able to hope, dream and achieve the same things as everybody else.”

She has become a popular influencer on Instagram, where she has 90k followers and works with brands such as Adidas, TK Maxx, Vogue, Primark and Superdrug. She has even appeared on TV shows Loose Women and Good Morning Britain.

She is living her dream – having wanted to be famous since she was five years old.

Ellie said: “It’s something I’ve always wanted and I’m proud of myself. I’ve broken down some barriers and shown that there are different types of beauty. People want more representation in fashion to include everyone with disabilities.

“My disability is just a part of me and I love how I live. I like being an inspiration to others who have Down’s Syndrome or other disabilities – they look up to me. I say to them, ‘Never give up, follow your hopes, dreams and ambitions. Believe in yourself, don’t be intimidated and never change’.”

Her success has been achieved despite the doctors telling Ellie’s family when she was born that she wouldn’t talk or walk or be able to live independently.

Ellie said: “I have proven them wrong. I even go to college and I’m confident and doing well in my career. I do need some help but my family, especially my mum are very supportive of me.”

Her mum Yvonne said: “Although she’s been modelling for about five years now, it all sort of kicked off when she was asked to work with Gucci. Since then it’s got busier and busier with photoshoots for Vogue, Adidas, Glamour magazine, Allure and lots of interviews online and on TV.”

Celebrities such as Paloma Faith, Katie Piper, Nicole Scherzinger and Cheryl Cole are fans of hers, but Ellie still has her feet on the ground and likes nothing better than going to college or going shopping with her sister Amy.

Yvonne said: “She loves college and always looks forward to her lessons. She’s doing a bespoke programme made up of Dance and Performing Arts, with functional skills in English and Maths. She really enjoys the environment and she gets on so well with all the teachers and the other students.”

Ellie’s next dream is to go to America to model – and there is every chance with the way she has warmed the hearts of everyone who meets her that it could happen very soon! Watch this space…

See Ellie on Good Morning Britain here and on Loose Women here