South Africa’s own Azania Sweeney, who is seven years old, took Colombia by storm when she walked the Colombia Fashion Kids runway in September, with a viral video of the ‘African Barbie’ amassing over 10 million views on Instagram.
The show marked the first Colombia Fashion Kids project – an event aimed at embracing diversity, empowerment and inclusivity, with both abled and differently-abled kids walking the runway.
View this post on Instagram
According to an article published by News24, Azania’s runway coach, Mervin Enver Marvey, says:
“They are using fashion for a purpose”,
“Seeing able children walking the runway with differently abled children was such an empowering manifestation of the natural humility that we have as people”, he added.
All proceeds from the event went to Colombia Corporation of Down Syndrome.
Azania’s dazzling debut
At the show, Azania made her first-ever runway debut in a beautiful pink dress made by Julio Castillo. The viral video of her walk was uploaded to Azania’s Instagram account, captioned as follows:
“What an incredible, and awakening moment to walk @colombiafashionkidsoficial as the very first South African model in this amazing (specially designed) creation by the talented @juliocastillo2222.”
See the video here:
View this post on Instagram
Compiled