Transgender Models in Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show
Historic Return of the Iconic Show
The Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show made its highly anticipated return on Tuesday in New York City, after a six-year hiatus. Making history, transgender models Valentina Sampaio and Alex Consani became the first trans women to walk the runway at this iconic event.
Valentina Sampaio’s Dream Fulfilled
Sampaio, a Brazilian model, shared her excitement on Instagram with a video of her runway moment. Dressed in dazzling black lingerie, large black bows, and a teased lioness-style hairdo, she expressed gratitude to her followers. “The Victoria’s Secret family has shown the world that being trans is just as exceptional and beautiful as anyone else on that runway,” Sampaio wrote to her 400,000 followers. She emphasized the importance of inclusivity, adding that it was an honor to walk with pride and hope to inspire future generations.
This is not the first time Sampaio has broken barriers with the brand. In 2019, she became the first transgender model to feature in a Victoria’s Secret ad campaign. A year later, she became the first openly trans model in the Sports Illustrated swimsuit issue.
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Alex Consani’s Moment of Representation
Before the show, Consani, a 21-year-old model from California, spoke about the significance of her participation. “I’m one of a few trans people here today, which I’m really grateful for,” she told TODAY.com. Consani, who gained prominence during the pandemic with her viral TikTok content, has since worked with top fashion brands like Burberry, Chloe, and Roberto Cavalli. She also featured in Charli XCX’s music video for “360.”
On the runway, Consani appeared in satin gray underwear with angular wings and her signature bleached eyebrows. Reflecting on the moment, she shared photos on Instagram, captioning them with gratitude and joy, saying, “Little me is screaming I can’t even say anything other than thank you.”
Overcoming Past Controversies
The inclusion of transgender models marks a significant shift for Victoria’s Secret, a brand once criticized for its lack of diversity. In 2018, former marketing executive Ed Razek faced backlash for his remarks opposing the inclusion of “transsexuals” in the show. This controversy contributed to the cancellation of the event in 2019 and led to the six-year break.
The New Era of Victoria’s Secret
This year’s event, streamed on Amazon Live and Amazon Video, celebrated diversity and featured many of the brand’s famous “angels,” such as Gigi and Bella Hadid, Adriana Lima, and Tyra Banks. Adding to the glamour, the show included a special performance by Cher, marking a bold new chapter for the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show.
Fashion has always played a crucial role in the expression of identity and self-affirmation, especially for LGBTQ+ individuals. Why is Fashion Important for the LGBTQ+ Community ? delves deep into this essential connection between style and identity claims.
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