Models Valentina Sampaio and Alex Consani made another history on Tuesday. Two transgender women to walk the runway at the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show. The event marked a significant moment for inclusivity in the fashion industry.
Sampaio, dressed in shimmering black lingerie with dramatic bows and a voluminous hairstyle, shared a video of her walk with her 400,000 Instagram followers. In her post, she expressed gratitude to the brand for helping her realize a long-held dream.
“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. “Inclusivity is crucial to the world we’re building, and I’m honored to walk with pride, love, and the hope of inspiring the next generation.”
This is not the first time Sampaio has broken barriers with Victoria’s Secret. In 2019, she became the first transgender model to appear in an ad campaign for the brand, and a year later, she was the first transgender person to feature in the Sports Illustrated swimsuit issue.
Backstage, Consani, who hails from California, expressed her excitement about the milestone. “I’m one of a few trans people here today, which I’m really grateful for, and I’m happy that I get to be here and represent my community,” she said. “Also, just being able to feel confident, that’s something that Victoria’s Secret really embodies.”
Consani gained widespread attention in 2020 when her TikTok videos went viral, amassing over 3.3 million followers. Since then, she has modeled for brands like Burberry, Chloé, and Roberto Cavalli and appeared in a music video for Charlie XCX’s song “360.” On the runway, Consani wore satin gray underwear, angular wings, and sported her signature bleached eyebrows.
Sampaio and Consani’s participation comes as the brand continues to address past criticisms for its lack of diversity. In 2018, Ed Razek, a former chief marketing officer for Victoria’s Secret’s parent company, L Brands, faced backlash for comments suggesting that transgender models did not belong in the show. Following these controversies, the brand canceled the event in 2019, leading to a six-year hiatus.
This year’s show, streamed on Amazon Live and Amazon Video, also featured appearances by iconic Victoria’s Secret models like Gigi and Bella Hadid, Adriana Lima, and Tyra Banks, along with a performance by Cher.
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