We Are Here Too

"Through fashion and emotion, we want to say something simple yet essential: every person deserves to be seen and heard. In Kazakhstan, people with Down syndrome are rarely talked about. We don't see them in media, on covers, or in campaigns and almost never in fashion. But they are part of our society. They feel, they dream, they laugh, they love. They live. They understand life more deeply and sincerely than neurotypical people do."

"We asked these questions to Nonna and Natalie two young women with Down syndrome. And we received answers no one could have predicted, because in every word they spoke, there was a purity of perception and a sincerity only possible from someone unafraid to be unmasked. We listened not with our ears, but with our hearts. It is in these quiet, radiant voices, the ones that have gone unnoticed for far too long that true meaning is born."

"Fashion isn't just about trends. It's a language. A space to be yourself and tell your story. And this shooting is exactly about that. WE ARE HERE TOO: Interview with girls with Down syndrome about love, life, and happiness We asked these questions to Nonna and Natalie two young women with Down syndrome. And we received answers no one could have predicted, because in every word they spoke, there was a purity of perception and a sincerity only possible from someone unafraid to be unmasked."

A portrait series features young women with Down syndrome from Kazakhstan, using fashion photography to demand visibility, dignity, and celebration of life. The participants are presented as emotional, perceptive individuals who feel, dream, laugh, love, and live with sincere depth. The project emphasizes that people with Down syndrome are underrepresented in Kazakh media, fashion, and campaigns, yet remain integral to society. An interview with Nonna and Natalie reveals pure perception and unmasked sincerity, offering unexpected, heartfelt answers about love, life, and happiness. The project affirms that every voice deserves to be seen and heard and credits the creative team and supporters.

Read at www.kaltblut-magazine.com