The 21-year-old trans model is making herstory, one pose at a time…
Alex Consani has won Model of the Year, becoming the first transgender model to land the prestigious award. The 21-year-old fashion star was recognized as Model of the Year at the British Fashion Council’s Fashion Awards 2024 ceremony at London’s Royal Albert Hall on Monday evening. Previous recipients of the award include Kate Moss, Bella Hadid and Cara Delevingne.
Last year, Black trans model Kai-Isaiah Jamal was a Model of the Year nominee, though the prize ultimately went to plus-size model Paloma Elsesser.
Consani stepped on stage to accept her award wearing a strapless off-white mini dress interwoven with a distressed British flag that hung over her left shoulder and trailed behind her. The garment was made by the buzzy Turkish-British designer Dilara Findikoglu. During her acceptance speech, the California-born model paid homage to the Black transgender women who “really fought for the space … that allowed me to flourish today,” thanking fellow trans models Dominique Jackson, Connie Fleming and Aaron Rose Philip for their influence.
“I’m the first trans woman to win this award,” Consani said. “But I can’t accept this award without thanking those that came before me and specifically the Black trans women that really fought for the space that I’m in today.”
“Now, more than ever, it’s an important conversation that should be had about how to truly support and uplift one another within this industry, especially those who have been made to feel insignificant,” she added, as the audience applauded. “Because change is more than possible—it’s needed.”
Consani also gave a heartfelt shoutout to her parents for supporting her childhood dream of becoming a model.
“I remember being 12 years old and telling them that I wanted to join this industry, and they met me with support. And that’s something that I think a lot of other parents of trans children should follow,” Consani concluded. “Because change is more than possible: It’s needed. And this is a big step in the right direction.”
Consani began her modeling career in 2015 at the age of 12 when she started modelling with Slay Model Management, a Los Angeles-based agency made up entirely of transgender models. She is thought to be the youngest openly trans model to sign with a major modeling agency, having signed with IMG Models in 2019 at just 16 years old. She made her runway debut for Tom Ford in 2021 and since she has made runway appearances for Chanel, Stella McCartney, Burberry, Alexander McQueen, Versace, and Jacquemus. This October, she and Brazilian model Valentina Sampaio became the first trans models to appear in Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show.
In May, she appeared in the music video for pop sensation Charli XCX’s song “360,” off of her hit Brat album.
Known for her bleach-blonde hair and matching eyebrows, Consani also rose to prominence via TikTok during the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020. Her account now sits at 4 million followers.
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