The Brazilian model Valentina Sampaio and American Alex Consani made history as the first transgender women to walk in the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show on Tuesday (15) in New York.
Sampaio looked stunning in a dark navy blue outfit. The first transgender woman to model for Victoria’s Secret, her crystal-embellished knit skirt covered her satin lingerie. Her large bow-shaped wings were balanced by her tousled hair.
The Brazilian model hails from Aquiraz, a city in Ceará. She has carved out a space in the international fashion industry after working with major brands like L’Oréal and Armani. The daughter of a fisherman and a teacher, she was the first transgender model to grace the cover of Vogue Paris at the age of 18.
In an interview with CNN, Valentina shared that being part of the VS casting is a dream come true. “Being a transgender woman often means facing closed doors, prejudice, lack of opportunities, and traumatic experiences. So, being able to be at Victoria’s Secret as a transgender woman has a very significant personal meaning, in addition to being a victory for all transgender people,” she said.
Hired in 2019, the arrival of the Brazilian model and actress came at a time when the brand was criticized for negative comments made by Ed Razek, former marketing director of the former parent company L Brands, about transgender and plus-size women.
Since then, company employees say things have changed. In an interview with WWD magazine in July, Sarah Sylvester, executive vice president of marketing at L Brands, stated that Victoria’s Secret has been focusing on DEI — diversity, equity, and inclusion — in everything it does, from the runway to corporate culture.
Source: WWD and Estado de Minas