‘I hope I inspire others to follow their dreams, too’: Gucci Beauty star Ellie Goldstein on breaking barriers

ELLIE Goldstein embodies what it means to be inspirational.

The 19-year-old British model, who has Down’s syndrome, is taking the fashion world by storm, showing just what self-belief can achieve.

Mark HaymanWhile she only started modelling three years ago, she has already been named the face of Gucci’s Unconventional Beauty campaign[/caption]

Mark HaymanModel, dancer, activist – is there anything Ellie can’t do?[/caption]

While she only started modelling three years ago, she has already been named the face of Gucci’s Unconventional Beauty campaign, and that’s only one of a host of brands she’s modelled for.

With an infectious laugh, she admits: “I’ve done so many campaigns now, it’s hard for me to remember them all. I want to do stuff for Hollister – that would be nice.”

She has already featured in Vogue, as well as in campaigns for Superdrug, Nike, Laura Mercier, Primark, Vodafone and the London Film Festival, plus an advert for Adidas due out soon.

She can even count Nicole Scherzinger as a fan, after the Pussycat Doll shared one of Ellie’s modelling shots with her 5 million Insta followers.

It’s incredible when you consider that a doctor told her mother Yvonne on the day Ellie was born that she would never walk, talk or lead an independent life.

So it’s not surprising that on our shoot, the 57-year-old support worker from Ilford, Essex, beams with pride as she watches her daughter pose for the camera, then check the results with meticulous detail, offering her opinions on her favourites. 

Her can-do attitude, as well as her determination to break down barriers for others with Down’s syndrome and pave the way for more diversity in the fashion industry, encapsulate what it means to be one of Fabulous’ Women of the Year.

Ellie, who lives with her mum and property manager dad Mark, 60, says: “It’s really exciting to be a Woman of the Year and getting to do this shoot!

When I was 15, I wanted to be a model. I told my mum and she never discouraged me from doing it, instead she helped me get an agent.

I love being on the cover of magazines. Every time I do a shoot or an interview, I really enjoy it.

I hope it inspires others to follow their dreams, too.”

It was in 2017, when Yvonne received a call from a friend telling her to switch on ITV’s This Morning, that Ellie’s life changed forever.

The founders of a new talent agency, Zebedee Management, specialising in models with disabilities, were appealing for new stars.

Yvonne got in touch and at their first meeting, Ellie was signed on the spot – and has never looked back.

The groundbreaking Gucci beauty campaign in July 2020 made her the first person with Down’s syndrome to model for a major fashion house.

An Instagram post promoting the campaign has become one of Gucci’s most popular ever, with close to 1 million likes and comments from all over the world, including from followers with disabilities explaining how refreshing it is to see someone like them in a high-end advert.

It’s also helped Ellie to amass her own Instagram following of almost 89,000.

“I was overwhelmed to be asked, because Gucci is such a big brand,” Ellie says. “I was honoured to do it and I’m famous now because of it. A girl at dance school said: ‘Oh, I know you from Gucci.’ 

It felt a bit awkward, but it was cool. Although it’s a bit weird when I see myself in the adverts. I cry. I don’t know why – it’s happy tears. I look at it and think: ‘Is that really me?’ It’s so good.

“My mum and dad are so proud of me. My sister Amy [27], is so excited for me, too. She always says: ‘You’re going to do amazing,’ and she texts me to wish me good luck when I have a photo shoot.

“The best thing about modelling is working with a team and the styling. I like getting to wear all the clothes and getting my hair and make-up done.

“My dance teacher Becca showed me how to pose in front of the camera.”

Alongside her modelling career, Ellie hopes that she will break down barriers in the fashion industry.

“I hope other people see me modelling and think: ‘If she can do it, I can too,’” she says with pride.

“I think it’s good that people can look up to me – it’s amazing when people say I’m a role model. I’m lucky that I’ve never had any bad experiences of people being mean – people are always nice to me.

“My advice would be to anyone wanting to do this that you should never give up.

“Be yourself, don’t be scared of the camera, and live life to the full.”

It’s clear Ellie loves the limelight, and in-between takes she entertains the crew with her dancing.

She’s been the centre of attention her entire life. Her mum reveals that as soon as she could walk, she would strut up and down the living room pretending it was a catwalk.

And her first love has always been performing. Ellie started dance classes when she was just five and is now doing a performing arts course at a college in Redbridge, Essex. 

“I’d like to be a dancer, as well as a model, as I am really good at dancing,” she says.

“And Ellie’s well on her way to achieving that goal too, having appeared in dance productions at the Royal Opera House and Royal Albert Hall. 

As well as the perks of getting your glam on, there is the financial benefit of being 

a model, though Ellie hasn’t developed expensive tastes as yet, admitting that she spent her Gucci pay cheque on “some Converse and Nike trainers.”

Like any model, Ellie knows she has to take care of her skin and maintain a good diet, but she isn’t as rigid as some, allowing herself the occasional treat.

“I try to drink lots of water, but I like milk and Fanta, too. I also love croissants, and if I need cheering up I will have a McDonald’s. That makes me really happy.”

Has she become a dab hand at doing her own hair and make-up after long hours in the chair on shoots? 

“I can’t do my own make-up as I’m too messy, but Amy helps me. I love bright colours – I always feel glamorous in pink lipstick.

“I also like having my hair done by a stylist, especially if they plait it or put it in pigtails.”

Away from her glamorous day job, Ellie’s just like any other teenager. In her downtime, she takes selfies and watches YouTube. 

“I go on my mum’s laptop to look back at my dance videos. I like to practise my dancing. I feel beautiful when I dance.”

Ellie is also lending her support to The Sun’s Give It Back campaign, asking chancellor Rishi Sunak to reinstate vital funding for disabled children.

“Let’s get the chancellor to give back the £434million that has been cut from councils’ budgets for disabled children and social care over the last 10 years!“ she says, urging others to back the campaign.

Model, dancer, activist – is there anything Ellie can’t do? 

See Ellie modelling on our fashion pages on p22, and turn the page to see the rest of our Women of the Year 2021.

Ellie lives with her mum and property manager dad Mark

Mark HaymanAway from her glamorous day job, Ellie’s just like any other teenager[/caption]