Models Alex Consani and Valentina Sampaio made history Tuesday night as the first openly transgender women to strut down the runway during one of Victoria’s Secret’s iconic fashion shows. The duo donned their wings as they joined the likes of VS favorites Tyra Banks , Gigi and Bella Hadid , and Adriana Lima at the show in New York City. Cosani, who is repped by IMG Models, has become one of the most sought-after faces in the fashion scene in recent seasons.
She gushed about her experience in an Instagram post Wednesday morning. Paired with photos of her sparkling powder blue lingerie, the fashionista wrote: “VICTORIA SECRET ILYYY.” “Little me is screaming,” Cosani added.
“I can’t even say anything other than thank you <3.” Sampaio commended Victoria’s Secret for its inclusivity ahead of her time in the spotlight, telling People: “This moment is one I will cherish for a lifetime.” “Today, the Victoria’s Secret family has shown the world that being trans is just as exceptional and beautiful as anyone else on that runway,” the Brazilian model told People.
Tuesday’s fashion show served as a rebirth for the once-annual underwear extravaganza, which last took place in 2018. The brand was at the center of multiple controversies in the late 2010s, at the same time its dominance in the lingerie industry was waning. In 2018, the fashion show’s executive producer, Ed Razek, used offensive and outdated language when Vogue asked if Victoria’s Secret had.
