Down syndrome girl designs attractive tote bags

Julia Tyler (right) laying out a pattern she wishes to silk-screen as her job coach Liv Helgesen works on the actual silk-screening process. The two of them create textiles and other merchandise for Dance Happy Design.

If you heard cheers coming from Aston in Philadelphia, the United States, on Dec 10, it was from the studio of Dance Happy Design on Mount Road. That evening, Aerie – a sub-brand of the American Eagle apparel company – launched online sales of Dance Happy’s handmade canvas tote bags.

There were even giddier eruptions when the holiday season ended, because Aerie – pleased with how well the bags sold – decided to order more merchandise for this year, said Dance Happy co-founder Emily Scott.