Models with Down syndrome in Romania strike a pose for World Down Syndrome Day

BUCHAREST, Romania (AP) — Dozens of models with Down syndrome strutted down a catwalk at a fashion show in Romania’s capital for an evening celebrating style, “atypical beauty” and courage to mark World Down Syndrome Day.

The SEEN Anonymous Seamstresses Gala in Bucharest brought together designers from across the country, who created garments “with great kindness, care and creativity” for young people with Down syndrome and other intellectual disabilities.

Georgeta Bucur, the president of Down Plus Association Bucharest, which organized the event held on Wednesday at the Romexpo center, said 50 seamstresses each created a costume for a youngster they had never met.

“The costumes were created without anyone trying them on," she said. “But the most important thing is that the people gathered together again. This event is really special ... it’s the most beautiful thing that could happen.”

For 19-year-old Antonia Voicu, who wore a puffy green netted dress and a crown of red roses, taking the stage was like a dream come true.

“I feel like I’m always fashionable, and I like to strike a pose, so I like to do like this,” she said, before stepping on the runway. “I’m not nervous at all.”

Antonia’s caretaker, Diana Negres, said the event was “a big step” for Antonia, who had always dreamed of “being a star” parading on stage. “This event gives her exactly this,” she said. “This is her first time, we did no preparation at all, so everything will be spontaneous.”

Cristina Bucur, a seamstress and one of the organizers, said the idea for the fashion show came to her because she has a child with a disability.

"I wanted the other children to see what it’s like to wear a costume during a fashion show, what it’s like to be cheered on stage,” she said. “They enjoy it enormously because they see that someone looks at them, that someone does something for them.”

In Romania, about 12,000 people have Down syndrome, and over 6 million worldwide, according to the Romania Down Syndrome Federation. In 2022, the Eastern European country reported that a person with Down syndrome was born per 847 births.

“On stage, us children go on a parade, and today I’m dressed in a nice dress and try to do some modeling,” said nine-year-old Marusika Burlaca, who took to the stage wearing a pink dress studded with little pearls after having her hair done up.

“Maybe they get a bit nervous at times, it’s the emotions, but they really like to be the center of attention,” said Larisa Bucur, one of the organizers. “We know that they want to be in the spotlight. I think it’s a very good opportunity for them.”

World Down Syndrome Day celebrates the lives of people with Down syndrome to make sure they have equal freedoms and opportunities, and to raise awareness. In 2011, the United Nations General Assembly declared March 21 as the official day of observation.

This year’s theme is combating loneliness, which the World Down Syndrome Day website says can have an outsized impact on people living with Down syndrome.

“Everyone feels lonely sometimes,” it states. “But for many people with Down syndrome and other intellectual disabilities, loneliness is a more common and painful experience.”

McGrath reported from Leamington Spa, England.

Teodora Brezeanu, looks in the mirror while getting her hair done, before the SEEN Anonymous Seamstresses Gala, an event organised by the Down Plus Bucharest, an NGO supporting youngsters with Down Syndrome and other intellectual disabilities, in Bucharest, Romania, Wednesday, March 18, 2026, ahead of the World Down Syndrome Day, on March 21. (AP Photo/Andreea Alexandru)

Andrada Placintescu stands before the SEEN Anonymous Seamstresses Gala, an event organised by the Down Plus Bucharest, an NGO supporting youngsters with Down Syndrome and other intellectual disabilities, in Bucharest, Romania, Wednesday, March 18, 2026, ahead of the World Down Syndrome Day, on March 21. (AP Photo/Andreea Alexandru)

Simona Zamfir strikes a pose on the podium during the SEEN Anonymous Seamstresses Gala, an event organised by the Down Plus Bucharest, an NGO supporting youngsters with Down Syndrome and other intellectual disabilities, in Bucharest, Romania, Wednesday, March 18, 2026, ahead of the World Down Syndrome Day, on March 21. (AP Photo/Andreea Alexandru)

Alexandra Racatej walks on the catwalk during the SEEN Anonymous Seamstresses Gala, an event organised by the Down Plus Bucharest, an NGO supporting youngsters with Down Syndrome and other intellectual disabilities, in Bucharest, Romania, Wednesday, March 18, 2026, ahead of the World Down Syndrome Day, on March 21. (AP Photo/ Vadim Ghirda)

Sophia Lupu, centre, dances on the catwalk at the end of the SEEN Anonymous Seamstresses Gala, an event organised by the Down Plus Bucharest, an NGO supporting youngsters with Down Syndrome and other intellectual disabilities, in Bucharest, Romania, Wednesday, March 18, 2026, ahead of the World Down Syndrome Day, on March 21. (AP Photo/ Vadim Ghirda)

Youngsters stand on the catwalk as relatives take pictures at the end of the SEEN Anonymous Seamstresses Gala, an event organised by the Down Plus Bucharest, an NGO supporting youngsters with Down Syndrome and other intellectual disabilities, in Bucharest, Romania, Wednesday, March 18, 2026, ahead of the World Down Syndrome Day, on March 21. (AP Photo/Andreea Alexandru)

Alexandra Racatej tries on her outfit before the SEEN Anonymous Seamstresses Gala, an event organised by the Down Plus Bucharest, an NGO supporting youngsters with Down Syndrome and other intellectual disabilities, in Bucharest, Romania, Wednesday, March 18, 2026, ahead of the World Down Syndrome Day, on March 21. (AP Photo/Andreea Alexandru)

Marusika Burlaca sits while getting her hair done, before the SEEN Anonymous Seamstresses Gala, an event organised by the Down Plus Bucharest, an NGO supporting youngsters with Down Syndrome and other intellectual disabilities, in Bucharest, Romania, Wednesday, March 18, 2026, ahead of the World Down Syndrome Day, on March 21. (AP Photo/ Vadim Ghirda)

Youngsters dance on the catwalk at the end of the SEEN Anonymous Seamstresses Gala, an event organised by the Down Plus Bucharest, an NGO supporting youngsters with Down Syndrome and other intellectual disabilities, in Bucharest, Romania, Wednesday, March 18, 2026, ahead of the World Down Syndrome Day, on March 21. (AP Photo/Andreea Alexandru)

COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — Joyce Edwards had 27 points and eight rebounds and No. 1 seed South Carolina won its 17th straight home women's NCAA Tournament game with a 103-34 defeat of 16th-seeded Southern on Saturday.

Edwards and the Gamecocks (32-3) opened with a 15-0 burst and never let up against the Jaguars (20-14), the Southwestern Athletic Conference champions.

“I just thought they got out-talented tonight,” South Carolina coach Dawn Staley said of her opponent.

And there was plenty of talent on display for a program seeking its sixth straight Final Four.

Edwards was relentless down low, making 11 of 14 shots and being seemingly free on most possessions. In the second half, she and teammate Ta'Niya Latson forced a turnover near midcourt and after Latson gained control, she flipped the ball behind her back to an all-alone Edwards for an easy bucket as the home crowded roared.

“We missed being here. We hadn't been here in a while,” said Staley, whose team improved to 83-1 at Colonial Life Arena the past five seasons. “I want our players to play with joy.”

South Carolina, already up 25 at the break, outscored Southern 32-2 in the third quarter.

Edwards said the team needed to get its timing after not playing since the Southeastern Conference Tournament two weeks ago.

“You could tell we were a little rusty initially,” she said. “As a team, we got together and started hitting shots.”

The Gamecocks ended with their second-most points in an NCAA Tournament game (after scoring 108 last year to open against Tennessee Tech) and put up their biggest margin of victory in their NCAA tourney history.

Edwards started the game-opening run with two baskets. Latson added five points in the opening run as Southern started 0-for-7 shooting with six turnovers.

Latson finished with 17 points while Madina Okot and Agot Makeer had 15 points each. Tessa Johnson had 14 points and a career-high 10 rebounds.

Southern had won its second NCAA Tournament game in the First Four, defeating Samford 65-53. The Jaguars beat UC San Diego in that round last year before getting drubbed by Final Four team UCLA 84-46.

This time, the Jaguars ran into a South Carolina team anxious to get the tournament started after a disappointing defeat by Texas, 78-61, in the Southeastern Conference Tournament title game on March 8.

Jocelyn Tate had 10 points to lead Southern.

Southern coach Carlos Funchess understood the huge task his team faced. “They're preparing to win win a national championship,” he said of the Gamecocks. “I'd do the same.”

Southern left with a small gift from Staley, a sample bottle of her Louis Vuitton perfume. Staley spoke to the team Wednesday at their hotel and when they hugged and thanked her, more than one player commented on how nice the coach smelled. So that led Staley to arrange to have some samples sent to the Jaguars.

“It was just a small gesture. I had them, I probably wouldn’t use them, they could utilize them and I just did it,” Staley said.

South Carolina will play either No. 8 seed Clemson or No. 9 seed Southern California in the second round on Monday.

AP March Madness bracket: https://apnews.com/hub/ncaa-womens-bracket and coverage: https://apnews.com/hub/march-madness

South Carolina guard Tessa Johnson (5) reacts after making a 3-pointer against Southern during the second half of the first round of the NCAA college basketball tournament, Saturday, March 21, 2026, in Columbia, S.C. (AP Photo/Nell Redmond)