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Not many 7-year-olds get to strut down a runway with supermodels and actors, but Marlborough’s Samantha Marcia Stevens will do just that on Saturday in front of hundreds of people in Denver, Colo.

With a little help from her father, Brian Stevens, Samantha will for the second time in two years appear in the Global Down Syndrome Foundation's Be Beautiful Be Yourself Fashion Show.

Samantha was an ambassador at the foundation's fourth annual gala in 2012 and returns for this year’s event honoring all past ambassadors.

The Stevens family said the Global Down Syndrome Foundation connected them with medical professionals in the Denver area who have helped Samantha make significant progress and given the family hope that she will one day be able to walk and talk.

"Our goal is to make her life as happy as possible," Brian Stevens said. "I really believe in my heart and in my head that she will walk."

Stevens said last year he became the first parent of an ambassador to walk with his child down the runway.

Celebrities like jazz musician Quincy Jones, supermodel Beverly Johnson and "Scrubs" actor John C. McGinley are scheduled to appear at the fashion show, which aims to spread the word about the need for greater awareness and support to help those living with Down syndrome.

Samantha's mother Kathy said doctors told the family after a prenatal ultrasound that Samantha would be born with Down syndrome.

"We just take it one day at a time," she said.

The Stevens family has been dedicated to raising awareness for Down syndrome and giving to the cause.

In 2011, they donated $2.5 million to the Special Olympics headquarters in Marlborough and are currently completing projects at their home that will allow Samantha and other children with handicaps related to Down syndrome to work on their physical therapy and give them a functional environment in which they can learn and play.

Some of the projects include a harness system throughout the house, an outdoor playground for 60 children and an indoor pool.

"We're trying to be progressive with the families, too," said Brian Stevens, who refers to his daughter and other children with Down syndrome his "heroes."

Stevens said he has invited other parents and children with Down syndrome into his Marlborough home so that they can be close to local specialists and avoid hotel costs.

On an average day, Samantha attends school in Marlborough where she works with physical and occupational therapists, as well as a speech pathologist, Kathy said.

But on Saturday, the 7-year old will show off her individuality during the not-so-average evening of glitz and glam.

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These Are The Fashion Designers Of The Future: Meet The Rising Stars of SCAD's 2014 Graduating Class

As a fashion school alum myself, one of my favorite parts of the job at Glamour is meeting fashion students. There's something about their excitement, taste for experimentation, that twinkle in their eyes with the conviction to someday be a household name— it moves me. Recently, I visited The Savannah College of Art and Design's Atlanta campus, which held an event displaying the graduate collections of their most prolific students. I had a chance to speak with them, hear about their dreams and take in their edgy, stunning, bold and sometimes wild collections. These, ladies and gentlemen are the fashion designers of the future. Let's meet some of the rising stars, shall we?

Tingting Feng

Born in Hangzhou, China, Tingting sought inspiration from the ballet. "I really liked the look of a garment during a pirouette in particular," she says, citing John Galliano as an inspiration. "The pleating within my collection represents the spinning of a ballerina and how the garment would move." Her longterm goal is to design Haute Couture.

Tracy Ann Wallace

With outstanding use of color, mixing of sporty textiles like neoprene and athletic mesh, Tracy created clothes that are nothing short of bold.

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Lin Han

Lin displayed her love of femininity and tailoring in her sophisticated collection that combines hard and soft. Here, she utilizes sheer illusion, weighty wools and fur.

Leah Michelle Smith

"Energetic." That's how this Livonia, Michigan native describes her collection of graffiti-printed sweaters, jackets and midi skirts. "My inspiration was the city of Detroit, a place near and dear to my heart," she says. "I was touched by the way the youth of Detroit find their voice through vandalism...graffiti is their way of getting their point across. I wanted to pay homage to my hometown."

Before starting her own line, she would love to work with designers such as Alexander Wang and Jeremy Scott. I could see myself working with people like Jeremy Scott or Alexander Wang.

Kelsey Greifield

Kelsey's first-ever fashion designs were actually Halloween costumes she made as a kid. "I want her to be fun, happy and excited about life," says Kelsey of the woman that she designs for. Kelsey developed her own print for this collection based on a drawing in her notebook and embellished her quirky pieces with goggly eyes from an art supply store.

Elaine Lui

Elaine's collection is actually designed for men, but I think it's just perfect for a downtown woman. She based the above print on the pattern found on the inside of LED strips. Fascinated with technology and the future, many of her pieces have working LED lights within, such as on this jacket's sleeve.

Angela Sandoval

Angela Sandoval wants to reinvent the wedding dress. As a former architecture student, Angela brought her passion for clean lines, geometry and texture into her dresses, which incorporate elegant, rough hewn silk and hand-knotted rope macrame.

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Erdem Moralioglu has made the leap into the world of direct retailing.

On Thursday, the London-based designer launched his brand's new website and global e-tail platform, Erdem.com.

"It's a really interesting language that was initially really foreign to me. I wanted it to feel legible, like something that you could understand and navigate easily, but I also wanted it to feel personal, like there was content there that was interesting," Moralioglu told Style.com.

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Through the new website, which launched to coincide with the release of Erdem's pre-fall 2014 collection, fans of the brand can browse its collections, shop their favorite pieces or explore Moralioglu's world of eye-catching prints and experimental fabrics.

The site also features a number of exclusive styles for purchase, as well as some of the brand's collaborative products, such as the must-have lizard-embossed pumps made by Nicholas Kirkwood.

When deciding whether to open a brick-and-mortar store or focus on a digital space first, Moralioglu said that ultimately, e-commerce made more sense.

"When it came down to whether we should open up a store or launch e-commerce, and what order to do it in, e-commerce felt like the most natural thing to do first," the designer told Style.com.

"It would provide a platform where we could offer something to my woman on a global level."

But those Erdem fans located in London, won't have to choose between online or offline shopping for much longer because a physical Erdem store is in the works, although the brand has yet to reveal when it will open.

"It's something that we're working on, and we're excited about it," Moralioglu said.

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At Monday’s CFDA Fashion Awards, pop star Rihanna took the stage to accept the Fashion Icon Award from the grande dame of fashion — Vogue editor Anna Wintour.

Never one to dress demurely, the Barbadian beauty wore a sheer gown designed by Adam Selman that exposed everything except her Social Security number — most notably, her pert nipples.

But the all-powerful editrix was all smiles, lending gravitas to Rihanna’s risqué fashion choice.

“This wasn’t a wardrobe malfunction,” says celebrity stylist Phillip Bloch. “It was intentional. You could not have done that on a red carpet years ago. A stylist would lose their job if there was a nipple showing.”

But while Rihanna’s bare skin was deemed appropriate for an awards ceremony, that hasn’t been the case on social media.

In April, photo-sharing app Instagram suspended the 26-year-old singer’s account after a topless picture shot for French fashion magazine Lui appeared in her feed. Rihanna responded by posting a covered-up photo of herself with a caption that read, “Rih’s next magazine cover if it was up to Instagram.” While Instagram insisted that the dust-up was a mistake, Rihanna ultimately deleted her account, which had more than 35 million followers.

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Which raises the possibility that the CFDA dress choice was more of a protest than a fashion moment.

She’s just the latest celebrity fighting Instagram for its habit of removing images of bare breasts as part of its controversial anti-nudity rule.

Last week, Hollywood progeny Scout Willis took a topless stroll in the East Village to protest Instagram, which had kicked her off its site for posting a snap of a jacket emblazoned with a photo of two topless women.

“What @instagram won’t let you see #FreeTheNipple,” she tweeted.

After her breast-baring stunt, Willis penned an essay for XoJane defending herself and bashing Instagram’s sexist policy.

“There are also some people who would criticize my choice to relate nipples with equality at all,” she wrote. “To me, nipples seem to be at the very heart of the issue. In the 1930s, men’s nipples were just as provocative, shameful, and taboo as women’s are now, and men were protesting in much the same way. In 1930, four men went topless to Coney Island and were arrested. In 1935, a flash mob of topless men descended upon Atlantic City, 42 of whom were arrested. Men fought and they were heard, changing not only laws but social consciousness. And by 1936, men’s bare chests were accepted as the norm.

“So why is it that 80 years later women can’t seem to achieve the same for their chests?”

While her actions have drawn a steady stream of criticism, others applaud Willis’ bold move.

“I think it’s commendable,” says Danny Agnew, the New York editor of men’s lifestyle Web site InsideHook, of Willis’ topless protest. “I think you have to do something a little extreme to get someone to notice. Plus I don’t think most people knew that it’s perfectly legal to be topless in the state of New York. I think it only becomes a big deal when people make a big deal out of it.”

Flash back 10 years ago to the polarizing moment when Janet Jackson’s nipple was revealed during her infamous “wardrobe malfunction” at the 2004 Super Bowl.

Jackson was pilloried for her indecent exposure, which, according to the FCC, drew 540,000 complaints. The event became known as “nipplegate.”

It’s an issue that is getting increasing, ahem, exposure as the nipple continues to seep into the consciousness of the fashion world.

Rihanna wore a mesh top without a bra to the Balmain show in February, Miley Cyrus posed topless for W magazine that same month and, Sunday, Nicki Minaj sported a mesh shirt over star pasties that just barely obscured her areolas.

“I think people like Rihanna are trying to break down those boundaries, and some people will like it and some people will call her a sinner. But [Rihanna] is gorgeous. She’s in her prime and not doing anything that Madonna wouldn’t have done 20 years ago, if she could have gotten away with it,” says Bloch, adding that as risqué as her Madgesty was, she never flashed her nips on the red carpet.

While Instagram has publicly defended its policy, debate continues to swirl — especially considering that it’s not just photos the site is censoring, but other art, too.

Last month, Grace Coddington, the flame-haired creative director of Vogue, was slapped with a suspension after posting a topless cartoon she drew of herself. She responded by posting a drawing of her cats — one with a black bar obscuring its crotch area.

Agnew says some of his fashion photographer friends who post artful nude shots have also had their accounts scrubbed.

“[Instagram doesn’t] take into account the overall purpose of the photograph. It’s just, is there a nipple showing or is there not? Context doesn’t matter to them.”

Some argue that the new vogue for sheer fashions is just another form of such artful expression.

New York-based designer Ann Yee applauds boob-baring threads with a high-fashion bent.

“I think nip fashion is fine if done in an effortless and tasteful way. It’s been apparent in fashion for years; Rudi Gernreich’s signature black suit comes to mind. American culture has always been a bit hesitant to embrace provocative dressing, so kudos to Rihanna for being able to rock that dress.”

Bloch echoes the sentiment that the singer’s style has implications beyond the fashion world.

“I think we all know Rihanna doesn’t play by the rules,” he says. “She is a modern feminist.”

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You’ve heard of food trucks – now fashion trucks plan to descend on Carmel this Saturday

Fashion will go mobile June 21 at Carmel’s City Center when five different fashion retailers roll up to sell their products from the interiors of specially modified “fashion trucks.”

Female fashion retailer Boho Pretty will sport a refurbished 1970s camper, complete with a sitting room and displays of clothing. The company, started by a pair of entrepreneurs, visits a variety of events, restaurants and breweries to sell its products.

“We like to provide affordable clothing and a good shopping experience,” said Amber Huber, co-founder of Boho Pretty.

The company also often donates 10 percent of their day’s earnings to a charity of the event organizer’s choice.

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“The whole concept is going mobile, going where people are,” said Heather Pirowski, director of Retro 101, a similar fashion truck business.

Retro 101, the first mobile boutique in Indianapolis, operates out of “Ellie,” a converted 1978 Chevy minibus. The company operates as part of the American Mobile Retail Association. Pirowski provides consultant services through the association, pointing new business owners towards the resources that will help make their own mobile retail stores take off.

“It’s a growing industry,” Pirowski said. “I’m there for people to ask all the time, ‘What kind of life do you lead? Where can I find a bus?’”

Retro 101 also teams up with other organizations for charity, including School on Wheels, an Indianapolis-based group that provides education to over three thousand homeless children.

Pirowski will be debuting a second truck for Retro 101 soon, nicknamed “Stella.”

The free event will be from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. June 21 in the interior plaza of City Center. A DJ will play music during the event and it will feature fashions from Boho Pretty, Ellen and Elvin, Genie’s Closet, Retro 101 and Urban Frenzy Boutique.

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Angelina Jolie, Elle Fanning dress for 'Maleficent' Tokyo premiere

Angelina Jolie and Elle Fanning walked the red carpet at the Tokyo premiere of "Maleficent" on Monday, still dressing to match their characters. Jolie, who plays the title role, was in a skintight, sexy black cocktail dress by Atelier Versace. Fanning was demurely princess-like in a frothy white Alexander McQueen.

Lea Michele wore a black-and-white strapless gown by Paule Ka with Tiffany jewelry Saturday night when she sang a duet with Kristin Chenoweth at theHollywood Bowl's season opener.

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Juicy Couture has announced plans to close all its stores, but Kohl's will begin carrying the label this fall.

Thanks to a new promotional campaign forOld Navy, a brand new pair of flip-flops is only one Tweet away for folks in New York and L.A.

North West, daughter of Kanye West and Kim Kardashian, celebrated her first birthday with a weekend "Kidchella" celebration featuring a karaoke stage, Ferris wheel and tie-dye birthday cake. The toddler wore a fringed dress that was either reminiscent of traditional Native American garb or festival boho, with a headband.

But pictures of her aunt Khloe Kardashian in a feathered war bonnet drew criticism from the Redhawk Native American Arts Council, whose spokesman called it "insensitive" for a celebrity to wear the headdress at a kid's party.

Nordstrom plans to open Bauble Bar counters in all of its U.S. stores and online this month.

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Just when you thought another impromptu celebrity elopement was improbable, Mrs. Johannes Huebl, otherwise known as socialite and street style icon Olivia Palermo, announced the news of her joyous nuptials. The affair couldn’t have been further from the highly publicized, glamorous affair Palermo’s public expected based on her recent interview with Brides magazine, but one thing which surprised no one was her insouciant bridal ensemble.

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As a fashion blogger, former Elle employee, and a celebrity spokeswoman for Tibi, Palermo certainly knows how to dress herself — and others — for success. The style expert loves to mix prints and patterns, favoring vintage-inspired silhouettes with a modern spin from pleated midi skirts to silk trousers, each accented with a signature belt and expertly mussed locks.

It makes sense, then, that Palermo should consistently appear in expertly styled ensembles with pieces by Tibi mixed in. For a recent red carpet appearance at the Yves Saint Laurent film premiere in New York, Palermo paired the brand’s Sonoran Eyelet Full Skirt with their Asphalt Stripe Cami and a gorgeous white blazer, polished off with a leopard belt and a pair very edgy Sergio Rossi heeled sandals. If you happen to have around $1,000 stashed in your savings for an occasion like this, you can replicate her ensemble from top to toes. However, if you’re looking for a similar look on a smaller budget, read on for the five pieces you’ll need to look just like Olivia.

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Crayola Experience casting young designers and models for kids fashion show

Have your kids ever dreamed of being a professional model or designer? Now is their chance.

The Crayola Experience and New Jersey Fashion Week are coming together to present the second annual kids fashion show. According to a news release, the show will have a panel of judges, including Project Runway finalist Carol Hannah.

Designers and models will be competing for big prizes, including a modeling contract with New Jersey talent agency Jo Anderson Models, and a chance to spend the day with designer Carol Hannah in her New York City fashion house.

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This year's fashion show theme is "Wrapped in Color." The theme was inspired by the Crayola attraction "Wrap it up," where kids can name and wrap their own Crayola crayon. The fashion show will take place Sept. 13, according to the news release.

"This amazing project encourages, highlights and supports the creativity of young emerging fashion talent from across the country." New Jersey Fashion Week Founder Donnella Tilery said in the release, "And I'm so proud to be a part of it."

To participate in the fashion show, children ages 7 to 16 must attend a casting call. The casting calls take place from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. July 11-12 at The Crayola Experience. Although tickets are required to enter The Crayola Experience, 30 Centre Square in Easton, all children auditioning will get in free. Adults may purchase a special discounted ticket here. Children must bring the registration form to casting.

Designers should bring a mood board representing their vision, the release states. Models should have a headshot or photo and show off their runway walk.

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