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-studded mesh skirt covered her satin lingerie. Her large bow-shaped wings were balanced by her tousled hair.
The Brazilian model was born in Aquiraz, a city in Ceará, a state in northeastern Brazil. She has carved out a place 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 appear in the cover of Vogue Paris at the age of 18.
In an interview with CNN, Valentina shared that joining 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 at Victoria’s Secret as a transgender woman holds a 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 faced criticism for negative comments made by Ed Razek, the former marketing director of the parent company L Brands, about transgender and plus-size women.
Since then, company employees say things have changed. In a July interview with WWD magazine, Sarah Sylvester, executive vice president of marketing at L Brands, stated that Victoria’s Secret is focusing on DEI — diversity, equity, and inclusion — in everything it does, from the runway to corporate culture.
Source: WWD and Estado de Minas