Florida beachwear company choose ‘charismatic’ Down syndrome teen to model their clothing

Florida beachwear company choose ‘charismatic’ Down syndrome teen to model their clothing to set an ‘example of inclusion’

  • Surf Style is featuring model with Down Syndrome in efforts to be more inclusive
  • Ethan Holt will also feature in the company’s digital & social media campaigns
  • The aspiring model was introduced to Surf Style executives in July
  • They say they chose Ethan, 16, due to his ‘incredible charismatic personality’ 

A Florida beachwear company striving to become more inclusive is featuring a model with Down syndrome in an ad campaign. 

Ethan Holt, 16, who has been on the Special Olympics paddle board team and swim team, was selected to model clothing for Surf Style. 

He is also featuring on the company’s digital and social media campaign. 

Ethan Holt, 16, (pictured) who has been on the Special Olympics paddle board team and swim team, was selected to model clothing for Surf Style

He is also featuring on the company's digital and social media campaign

He is also featuring on the company’s digital and social media campaign

The photo shoot was held on July 30 outside and inside Surf Style’s flagship store in Clearwater Beach, close to Tampa and shows Ethan modelling a variety of brightly coloured surf-wear during the day and at sunset. 

The aspiring model was introduced to Surf Style executives in July, thanks to nonprofit organization Help Us Gather (HUG) which advocates for inclusion and strives to provide people with disabilities with new opportunities. 

Surf Style said they chose Ethan for the campaign due to his ‘incredible charismatic personality and love of the camera’ as well as to set ‘an example of inclusion’ for other retailers. 

Surf Style said they chose Ethan for the campaign due to his 'incredible charismatic personality and love of the camera' as well as to set 'an example of inclusion' for other retailers

Surf Style said they chose Ethan for the campaign due to his ‘incredible charismatic personality and love of the camera’ as well as to set ‘an example of inclusion’ for other retailers

Ethan, who is in his high school junior year, swims for both his high school’s team, and the Florida Division of the Special Olympics. 

He is also on the Special Olympics paddle board team and has won multiple gold medals on both a regional and state level. 

Ethan’s mother, Phoy Holt, said: ‘Anytime he gets to compete, whether its paddle board or swimming, he always gets gold.’ 

It was through HUG Ethan realized his potential for modeling. 

‘Of course in the special needs community we have lots of friends that are involved with HUG, so they would post different events, and share them on Facebook; and I thought that looks like an organization that we should be a part of,’ Phoy explained.  

 

 



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