Ashley DeRamus likes to look fashionable, but finding hip clothes that fit is a challenge for those like her who have Down syndrome. Now, with her own clothing line in the works, DeRamus plans to do something about it.

Dubbed Ashley by Design, DeRamus will debut her fashions this week at the National Down Syndrome Congress convention in Denver. Her dresses, tunics and leggings are specifically designed for women with the chromosomal disorder who often have a smaller torso, shorter legs and other unique features.

DeRamus and her mom Connie told WBRC in Birmingham, Ala. that they came up with the idea for the clothing line about a year ago after paying significant sums to get traditional garments altered and hearing similar stories of frustration from other women with Down syndrome.

“They want to feel like other girls. They want to dress like other girls,” DeRamus’ mom told WBRC.

For DeRamus, the goal is for women with Down syndrome to “feel nice and look pretty,” she said.

Read more stories like this one. Sign up for Disability Scoop's free email newsletter to get the latest developmental disability news sent straight to your inbox.