After making her way down the runway during New York Fashion Week, Wildine Aumoithe, the world’s shortest non-mobile woman living, has earned a second Guinness World Records title as the world’s shortest professional model.
Wildine, who measures 72 cm (28.3 in), featured in the Runway of Dreams: A Fashion Revolution event, which was hosted by former NFL linebacker Shaquem Griffin and included 70 models with varying disabilities and backgrounds.
“Runway of Dreams is a public charity that empowers people with disabilities to have confidence and self-expression through fashion and beauty,” Wildine explained.
“This was an iconic moment for me because I am the first Guinness World Records title holder to appear in New York Fashion Week.”
Wildine wore an outfit from Target’s adaptive clothing line, as well as an adaptive shoe from Billy Footwear.
“I really enjoyed the experience, from meeting some of the models, the people hosting the show, and other people that were in attendance,” she said.
“As I was going down the runway, I didn’t realize how many people were actually there, but I loved it.”
Extremely rare type of dwarfism
Wildine has an extremely rare type of dwarfism called SADDAN dysplasia. The genetic condition has rendered her unable to walk, so she uses a motorized wheelchair to move around.
She was not expected to survive the first 24 hours after her birth, and when she did, doctors placed her in hospice care for six months before sending her home to live with her family.
Now aged 20, Wildine has defied all expectations – including some of her own. “I honestly never thought I would have been doing New York Fashion Week,” she said. “It was all surreal to me.”
The main reason Wildine wanted to become a model is because she felt that the industry was lacking diversity.
“I also wanted to inspire people in the dwarfism community that they can do anything,” she explained. “Height is just a number.”
Wildine was awarded the title of shortest non-mobile woman living in 2021, when she was 18, and she says her life has changed “a lot” since then.
She is now enjoying her second year of college, majoring in Graphic Design. Wildine had previously told us that she was planning to study Pharmacy, but she later changed her career plans.
“I just felt that I am actually more into arts than entering the medical field,” she explained.
Wildine is also proud of her appearance in the upcoming documentary about the world’s tallest woman living, Rumeysa: Walking Tall, which is available to stream from 21 December, exclusively on Rakuten TV.
Wildine is now looking forward to her plans for the upcoming year, which include continuing her studies, modelling, and travelling.
“This was my first time visiting New York City,” she revealed.
“For 2024, I hope to continue to get more modelling gigs and to collaborate with more brands.
“As for traveling, I will be attending the Little People of America National Convention in 2024 that will be hosted in Baltimore, Maryland.”
See the video of Wildine on the runway, courtesy, GWR:
