Victoria's Secret Hires First Out Trans Model

It came after their stock price dropped 40%, they had to close 53 stores across the USA, their CEO Jan Singer resigned, they announced they aren't doing the televised Victoria's Secret fashion show after it had it's worst ratings ever, and lost model Karlie Kloss over chief marketing office Ed Rezek's transphobic comments.

Congrats to Brazilian model Valentina Sampaio, who was just hired as their first out trans model.

The 22 year old Sampaio is no stranger to blazing trails in the modeling industry.  She was the first out trans model to ever grace the cover of French Vogue and the first to do so for Brazilian Vogue in her native Brazil.

And now she become the first trans angel, as Vickie's Secret calls their models.

Will they be hiring more trans models to rip their runways?   And when the Victoria's Secret Fashion show comes back on TV after its retooling, will a diverse group of models be part of it?

That remains to be seen if it happens. 

But congrats to Valentina Sampaio for making that breakthrough.   Hope it leads to many more trans models getting a shot to wear those Victoria's Secret angel wings.

Happy Milestone Birthday, Lauren!

"i'm not a fetish.  I'm not a sideshow. I'm not a trend. I'm none of those things.  I feel like I have a target on my head now   But I don't reside in my trans-ness; I don't live there.  I'm just another woman:
-Lauren Foster

Today is the milestone birthday of South African born and Miami resident, advocate, model and just another girl Lauren Foster who I have mad love and respect for.   We talk and chat from time to time and I'm looking forward to the day that we can FINALLY meet in person.

When she's not being her fabulous self, her day job is being the Director Concierge and LGBTQ Coordinator at the University of Miami Hospital where she helps folks navigate the gender confirmation surgery process with Dr. Chris Salgado.

And yeah, she is one amazing person that I hope to finally get to spend some quality time with in 2018.

Happy milestone birthday Lauren!   May you celebrate many more of them

Ines Rau Becomes First Trans Playmate

Caroline Cossey appeared on Playboy's pages after she was outed back in 1991 and before she was public about her trans status in 1981.  But it took until 2017 for a trans woman to make this history and grace the magazine's pages as the first ever out trans Playmate.

Meet Ines Rau, the trans woman who is making that history.

The Paris native is no stranger to Playboy readers.  Rau appeared in a steamy photo shoot with Tyson Beckford back in May 2014.

She was motivated to come out as trans ironically after reading Cossey's book I Am Woman twice. 

Rau said to Playboy about coming out:  "It's a salvation to speak the truth about yourself, whether it's your gender, sexuality, whatever.  The people who reject you aren't worth it.  It's not about being loved by others; it's about loving yourself."

As you probably guessed  the transphobic haters came out to play in social media, and former porn start Jenna Jameson also has something nasty to say about it.

But bump the haters, because she's still going to be a groundbreaking Playmate, and will appear in Playboy's November.December issue that hits newsstands on October 31

Valentina Sampaio Is Vogue Paris' First Ever Trans Cover Girl

'But only when a transgender person poses on the front cover of a fashion magazine and it is no longer necessary to write an editorial on the subject will we know that the battle is won.-Emmanuelle Alt, French Vogue editor

The French edition of Vogue magazine was founded in 1920, and despite the long list of stunning French trans women like Coccinelle, Marie-Pier Ysser, Marie-Pierre 'Bambi' Pruvot and most recently model Ines-Loan Rau, I was surprised to discover that Vogue Paris has never had a trans woman on the cover of their magazine until now.

The trans woman who has made that breakthrough fashion and French magazine history is Brazilian model Valentina Sampaio.  She recently graced the cover of Elle Brazil, and has starred in an ad campaign for L'oreal Paris.

"This month we are proud to celebrate transgender beauty and how models like Valentina Sampaio, who is posing for her first ever Vogue cover, are changing the face of fashion and deconstructing prejudice."said Vogue Paris on their Instagram account and pic of the historic cover.

The 21 year old Sampaio is also set to rip the runway for Saint Laurent soon, and will be on the March cover of Vogue Paris that hits newsstands on February 23.  It is the first time ever that a trans feminine woman has graced the cover of any French magazine.

The translated French title from the cover reads:  Transgender beauty; How they're shaking up the world.

We most certainly are.  It's also just another day and another historic accomplishment checked off the list for my sisters here in the US and around the world who are part of the long stylish line of trans models.
Vogue Paris editor Emmanuelle Alt said,"Valentina is on the cover of Vogue this month, not just for her looks or her sparkling personality, but because despite herself she embodies an age-old arduous struggle to be recognised and not to be perceived as something Other.”

Alt also said in her editorial that, “Trans people, the ultimate symbol of a rejection of conformity, are icons that Vogue supports and chooses to celebrate."

We transwomen around the world deeply appreciate you Vogue Paris for doing so.

But Alt also recognized that we have a long way to go to get to the point that seeing a trans feminine person on the cover of a fashion magazine becomes a mundane event.

I'm looking forward to speed up the day that we don't even have to find it necessary to say or argue the point that trans is beautiful, and trans women in all shapes, sizes and skin tones are beautiful in many ways.

I'm hoping that day comes along with all my sisters, and I'm here to witness it. 

Britain's Next Top Model Gets Its First Trans Contestant

Isis King broke this ground back in 2011  as the first trans contestant on America's Next Top Model, and two trailblazing trans models in April Ashley and Caroline Cossey were both British.

So it's not surprising for me to hear that when Cycle 11 of Britain's Next Top Model kicks off on March 16, there will be a girl like us competing in it for the first time .

She's 22 year old Talulah-Eve Brown from the town of Burton-Upon-Trent.   The 5' 8" Brown is a blogger and trans advocate who transitioned in 2014, and was crowned Miss Transgender Birmingham in 2015.

She's also a black belt in karate, so don't mess with this sister.

She wrote in a post on her Instagram account:  "I never thought a girl like me would find a place on a show like this and compete against such beautiful girls.  But I guess all you have to do is believe."

"Life isn't about finding the label that fits you best.  Life is about finding you!  And it's that journey that is incredible. Appreciate the bad just as much as the good"

Your trans siblings around the world hope that part of appreciating the good in life is you and all of us around the world celebrating you winning this cycle of Britain's Next Top Model 

Valentina Sampaio Appears On Cover Of Brazilian ELLE

While we were embroiled in the final stages of our contentious presidential election, there was a little trans history being made in Brazil from the modeling world.

19 year old model Valentina Sampaio became only the second trans person ever since Lea T did so in 2011 to grace the cover of ELLE Brazil.

That ELLE Brazil cover featuring Sampaio was released in November 2016.

There was also a L'Oreal commercial that ran during International Women's Day of Valentina getting made up to take her new Brazilian ID photo.

 

She's just the newest member of the long stylish line of trans models that goes back to the 1960's that gets more beautiful , groundbreaking and expansive very day..

Plus Size Trans Model Shay Neary Lands A Major Contract!

As Ive pointed out, trans feminine models have a long and proud history in the fashion world.

The long stylish line of trans models goes back to the 60's starting with April Ashley, and over the last few years we've had trans masculine and trans feminine models get attention, major contracts, ad campaigns and strut catwalks and slay photo shoots around the world.

Now we can add a plus size trans model to that stylish line of trans models in 28 year old Shay Neary.

While she's new to the modeling game, she recently made history by becoming the first out plus size trans model to land a major fashion campaign.   Heidi Kan, the founder of the plus size line Coverstory, was actually looking for a plus size trans model to feature in their first collection,

"When Hari Nef was signed by IMG and Caitlyn Jenner graced the cover of Vanity Fair, I knew it was time to promote and feature plus size trans models." said Kan.  

But Kan had no luck finding a plus sized trans model until she met Neary, who had recently been signed by Transmodels.   Kan found her just in time for the release of Coverstory's second collection, and is happy she did so.  Neary is modeling everything in the Coverstory collection from wrap caftans to silk blouses.

Neary transitioned 11 years ago and wants to show the world the complexity and variety of trans feminine bodies.
 

'We all have to be seen.  Not just some of us, not just ones who fit the transgender bill," she told Mic. "Not just the streamlined passable woman, or the plastic Kim (Kardashian) wannabe.  We all have value and integrity  We deserve to be seen in mainstream media...Our lives have purpose."

She not only wants to be working as much as plus size model superstars Ashley Graham and Tess Holliday, she  also wants to push fashion designers to do a better job designing clothes for plus size women.  

She told Revelist that she also wants to be a role model for our trans kids

"I'd love to be a representation for trans youth.   Teach trans kids that they only need to be themselves to succeed.in life.  Confidence and passion will take them the rest of the way.  That being trans doesn't hold them back from being anything they want."

Congrats Shay, and hopefully we'll see you ripping a runway in the near future.

Models Geena Rocero and Tracey Norman Make History On 'Harper's Bazaar India' Covers

More trans history was made as models Geena Rocero and Tracey Africa Norman appear on a groundbreaking series of Harper's Bazaar India covers for this month's issue.

In the nine versions of this cover available, Art Director Christopher Sollinger cast a different woman of color for each one of the covers while wearing a headpiece by American artist Isaac Aden.

He also casted for this cover modeling icons and new faces.

"Shooting white woman after white woman on covers does not work anymore- we need to show the women of the world that is of now",said Sollinger. "The world is changing and with this story, we wanted to be part of that global revolution."

The other women of color cast for this series of covers included fellow Americans Tyra Banks, Pyper Smith and Daisy Smith, Soo Jun Park of South Korea, Hannelore Knuts of Belgium, Cora Emmanuel from Martinique, Emanuela de Paula of Brazil, and Hind Sahli of Morocco.

Geena and Tracey made history together as the first out trans women cast for any Harper's Bazaar cover.

Said Norman about the groundbreaking Harper's Bazaar cover, the well deserved return to the spotlight 'meant the word to her.'

"For me to represent my community is such a humbling experience," said Norman, who recently returned to the modeling spotlight when Clairol asked her to come back for a new commercial  "I can't thank Christopher and Harper's Bazaar enough for allowing me to be on the cover."

Rocero said it was an honor to appear on the cover with women she'd looked up to. "Growing up in the Philippines, I used to dream about being on the cover of Harper's Bazaar."

And now sis, you've made it happen while writing another glorious chapter for the long stylish line of trans models.

I'm also happy to see that Tracey is also getting more work as a result of that new Clairol campaign.

And ESSENCE, once again, how about making amends to Tracey for getting outed at your photo shoot back in the day and giving her the opportunity to do another one?

H/T to NewNowNext.

'Strut' To Premiere September 20

Laverne Cox won't be the only trans person I know that will have a television series debuting next month.

Isis King will be one of the trans models who will appear in the unscripted series Strut, which follows Isis and  her fellow models Arisce Wanzer, Laith De La Cruz, Dominique Jackson and Ren Spriggs.   Cecilio Asuncion and Cassandra Cass of Slay Model Management will also be on the show that debuts September 20 on Oxygen.

Strut is executive produced by Whoopi Goldberg, and in a Variety interview pointed out why she believes the show is needed, necessary and debuting at the right moment in time.

"The show is important right now because for all the positive advances the community has made and continues to make, transgender is still a hot button word that gets people hysterical," said Goldberg.

"People tend to focus on the stereotype instead of the person, and this series will give viewers a unique opportunity to spend time with real people who are struggling with the same challenges we all face as we make our way through the world."

"You may be surprised to discover that you have been seeing and interacting with transgender men and women in ways you didn't even realize!" she commented.



Have another trans themed show to look forward to watching this fall, and hope you will join me in doing so as well. .
 

Lea T Makes Some Olympic Trans History

We don't know definitively is we have trans folks competing at the Rio Olympics even though trans people have been eligible to do so since 2004, and with the start of these Games, can do so without the requirement of genital surgery.

While we're still trying to confirm the rumor that two trans feminine athletes were considered for inclusion on the British Olympic team who have repeatedly represented their country on the international sporting stage, we do know for a fact that trans inclusion happened during the opening ceremony for the Rio Games on August 5.

During the Parade of Nations portion of the Opening Ceremonies, each of the national athletic delegations as they marched into the stadium was led by a cyclist that powered a rotating national name placard in Portuguese and English mounted on the cycle painted in the gold, green and blue colors of the Brazilian flag.

And some trans history transpired as you did so.  Brazilian supermodel Leandra Medeiros Cerezo, was the person on the cycle that led the host nation Brazil into Maracana Stadium.

If you're scratching your head and saying, "Who's that?", maybe you'll recognize who this 35 year old international supermodel and face of Redken cosmetics is when I say the name Lea T.

In addition to being a trailblazing presence in the fashion world, she also has a connection to the sporting world via her father, the legendary Brazilian soccer player Toninho Cerezo.

She is the first out trans person to do so in an Olympic ceremony, and she was definitely pleased to have had a role in the Olympic opening ceremony being hosted by her country

"We are all human beings and part of society.  My role in the ceremony will help send that message" she said.  "At this time in which Rio de Janeiro and Brazil are being presented to the world, it's essential that diversity is present. Brazil is a vast country, and all of its diversity should be represented in this event."

"Like any other transsexual I raise a flag," she continued. "I'm talking about transsexuality because it is part of my history, but I'm just another member of the community.  I know I have the privilege that the media listens to me, but the daily struggle of transexuals is equally important for LGBT people."

She's not kidding about that, since my Brazilian trans sisters have been catching hell because of the murderous trans hate on steroids aimed at them.    Brazilian trans women have for the last five years made up far too many of the names we read during TDOR ceremonies every November 20 around the world, and that needs to stop

And this Lea T Olympic moment shouldn't be dismissed, but celebrated.

Cnngrats to Lea T for being a historic part of this Olympic opening ceremony, and I hope that the next time I get to talk about a trans person making history on the Olympic stage is because they have made their national team and are competing for gold, silver or bronze medals  

Donahue Show: Tula

During its 26 years of syndication from 1970-1996, The Phil Donahue Show was considered the gold standard when it came to talk shows.  

The wonderful thing about Donahue was that because he was a journalist and newscaster before he quit to start the show, when he covered trans issues and people, he did so in an intelligent and  respectful way for the time period.

Here's video of the show in which he interviewed trans pioneer, author, advocate, Bond Girl and model Caroline Cossey.

Happy Birthday, Lauren!

Every now and then I find myself doing some hard solid thinking about the fact that the pioneering #girlslikeus I admired as a teen when I was struggling with my gender issues I actually get a chance to chat with as a trans human rights advocate from time to time.

And I realize at that point how fascinating my life really is at times.

I've had (and still have) some interesting and amazing conversations from time to time with one of our pioneering models who is more than 'just another girl' as she likes to describe herself.   She recently launched the Just Another Girl website that not only tells her story for a new generation, but is kid friendly and chock full of information about trans issues. .

We're only a few years apart age wise, and Lauren Foster is still all that and ten bags of chips as she celebrates another birthday today. I also find it interesting that she and Tyra Banks share the same birthday.

But this post is all about giving Ms. Foster the TransGriot birthday shout out she deserves.

Happy birthday Lauren!   May you have a celebration of the day you arrived on this planet that is as cool as you are!  Looking forward to the next time we get to chat, and may you be blessed to celebrate many more birthdays to come!  .

Trans Woman Wins Holland's Next Top Model

We watched Isis King attempt to do so on the American version of the show that is ceasing production after 12 years,.but in the Netherlands it's still on the air and a trans woman has broken through to become the first out trans feminine winner of Holland's Next Top Model.

20 year old Loiza Lammers initially decided to not disclose her trans status at first, but as the rumors started flying and she secured her spot on the show, she announced she was trans and subsequently began to dominate the competition.

While there have been trans contestants on the other international versions of Top Model who have attempted to win those versions in their nations and failed, Lammers has broken through and along the way to the win became an icon to the Dutch TBLG community..



She won a modeling contract with Touche Models, and hopefully this is the first step to a long and successful career for her.
.

Trans Models Represent During NYFW 2015

"As a transgender person of color, as an immigrant who grew up poor in a tiny little alley in the Philippines, and here I am in New York City doing the biggest fashion show... for a young trans person to see that, it changes that person's life.. To finally see that it's possible for a young trans person to pursue his or her dream to be the person whoever that you want to be."
--Geena Rocero

Even if that dream is to strut a catwalk during New York Fashion Week

We had a few trans models representing our community during the recently concluded New York Fashion Week, and I couldn't be prouder of all of them that did so and worked hard during that September 12-17 period.   And even better, I'm proud to call some of those amazing people my friends.

It was cool to see Isis King, Geena Rocero, Ines-Loan Rau, Arisce Wanzer and others strutting catwalks in the various shows during NYFW while others were in the audience cheering them on.  
They are heirs to an incredible legacy of trans women from around the world who have been walking fashion runways since April Ashley did so in the early 60's.  
And with Apple Model Management opening up and specifically being focused on trans models, it is a major step forward in ensuring that trans models aren't just the latest fashion trend or flavor of the season, but an accepted part of the fashion world.

That long stylish line of trans models continues into the 21st century, and some have become advocates and leaders in our community when they aren't doing their day job.  

By doing so, they are also doing their part to expand the horizons, serving as possibility models, and slaying stereotypes in addition to continuing the long and proud legacy of trans models.
    

Thailand's Apple Modeling Agency Opening All-Trans LA Branch

The Bangkok based Apple Modeling Agency back in November decided to open up a branch of their local office there dedicated specifically to promoting trans models.  

Business must be booming, because they are now opening up a trans specific branch office in Los Angeles.

While trans models have had a long distinguished history in the fashion world, we are at a moment in time in which people, designers and corporations are openly soliciting for their services.  

Jazz Jennings is the face for Clean and Clear.  Carmen Carrera has signed with Elite Models and has made clear her desire to become the first trans Victoria's Secret Angel.  . Lea T has signed a deal to become the global face of Redken beauty products, and trans models like Ines Rau, Arisce Wanzer, Geena Rocero, Isis King and Andreja Pejic are popping up on runways from New York to Milan in catalogs and elsewhere..

Apple Model Management LA is set to open under the guidance of Cecilio Asuncion and already has six transgender models on their initial roster and are looking for more. 

“We see trans individuals as beautiful,” says Apple's LA  agency director Cecilio Asuncion. “Our strong commitment to developing them as successful models is never about quantifying or qualifying their gender. It's never a question of if they are women or men, it's about their passion and commitment to being the best possible models they can be.”

So if you are a trans woman  5'8" or taller or a trans man who is 6’ or taller and are interested in being represented by them, you can apply by following the application guidelines at the Apple Model Management website.

 

Application materials and photos may be emailed directly to Apple Model Management L.A. Director Cecilio Asuncion at cecilio@applemodels.com.

H/T  The Advocate

Thai Modeling Agency Starts Trans Division

The long stylish line of trans models gets an assist in extending its legacy for another generation from Thailand.

With an ever increasing list of trans models coming out like Andreja Pejic, Ines Rau and Geena Rocero,  others are getting steady work including our sis Isis King,

LeaT brpke new ground by signing a deal to become the face of the global beauty brand Redken, while Rau became the first trans woman since 1991 to pose for Playboy.

The Bangkok based  Apple Modeling Agency, one of the leading and largest agencies in Thailand, announced on November 11 they were launching a transgender model division that already has 18 girls on its books.

Director of the Apple Agency Siwaporn Hotarapawanond stated the agency has three physical types of trans models.  "First is the transgender model who is all natural.   Second, the transgender model who has had breast surgery only.   Third, the transgender who had complete surgery." 

Here's an interview drag queen Pangina Heals conducted with ten of the Apple trans division models as they participated in a photo shoot for Thai based Lips Magazine.

This seems to be the tipping point moment when trans feminine women in photo shoots or ripping the runways is not seen as a exotic element, but a fact of life in the fashion world. 

'We have three physical types of transgender models,' said Siwaporn Hotarapawanond, director of the agency.
'First, the transgender woman who is all natural. Second, the transgender who had breast surgery only. Third, the transgender who underwent the complete surgery.'
Transgender models are fast becoming a
- See more at: http://www.gaystarnews.com/article/thailand-launches-worlds-first-transgender-modeling-agency141114#sthash.dB5swmax.dpuf

Trans Women Are Representin' During NY Fashion Week

It's Fashion Week in New York.   It's the twice yearly time when for a week tents pop up in Bryant Park to host the fashion shows in which designers show off their fall collections (during the spring shows) and Spring 2015 collections.

Models in the runup to those shows are visiting casting directors with the goal of working to rip the runways for the hottest designers, and fashion magazine editors and the cable channels dishing on fashion news seek to capture it all. 

The same thing is repeated in the other major fashion capitals of London, Paris and Milan.  There are also shows in regional fashion capitals like Tokyo and Rio de Janeiro as well.

There has been a long tradition going back to the early 60's of transfeminine models ripping those runways, and this year is no exception.   

From the groundbreaking Barney's campaign featuring 17 trans models to Ines Rau's steamy shoot with Tyson Beckford followed by a solo Playboy one, it's been an interesting tipping point year for trans models. 

We've had Geena Rocero, Ines Rau and supermodel Andreja Pejic coming out as trans. Carmen Carrera is getting attention for her stated goal of wanting to become the first transgender Victoria's Secret Angel.  Our girl Isis King is still in the game, has designed and shown a collection  and will be walking a few shows herself. 

Designer Ari South we were introduced to courtesy of the Project Runway reality TV show and Arisce Wanzer is another girl like us model starting to get attention . 

Tim Gunn can hate on trans models all he wants, but it has been wonderful to witness in the fashion world something that used to be considered the kiss of death for your modeling career if your trans feminine status was revealed now seeming to be a career booster.

So for all our trans models and transpeeps handling their business during Fashion Week, best of luck to you.  Keep strutting down the path your trans modeling elders blazed for you, and keep representing yourselves and our community to the best of your ability. 

Say Hello To Andreja!

So it will be interesting to see in 2012 how Andrej Pejic tops this and what other interesting developments happen in Pejic's life gender wise..
--TransGriot, January 15, 2012,  Andrej Pejic Does Bra Ad.

There has been an interesting development and major change in androgyne supermodel Andreja Pejic's life recently.  

Nope, that's not a typo. As many of us in Trans World had an inkling would probably happen after the Bosnian born Aussie first burst into the fashion world's consciousness by doing androgynous fabulousness while ripping the worlds fashion runways, the 22 year old Pejic on Wednesday came out as trans and revealed she has undergone SRS.

Pejic also revealed she recently changed her name in addition to releasing a statement that from now on she would only exclusively model women's clothes.   She also noted in the statement she is receiving support from her modeling agency, friends and family.

She also conducted an interview with GLAAD published on Style.com that discussed her transition. 
 

Andreja also had this to say in a message on her Facebook page directed at trans youth.

"I want to take this opportunity to thank all of you for the love and support throughout the years. You've all helped me through this journey and I have learned a lot and really come into my own and the response to today’s announcement truly overwhelmed me and reminds me of why I chose to do this publicly.

I think we all evolve as we get older and that's normal but I like to think that my recent transition hasn't made me into a different individual. Same person, no difference at all just a different sex

I hope you can all understand that.

I would also like to to reach out to all young gender non-conforming youth out there: I know it's hard, I've been there, but remember it’s your right to be accepted as what you identify with---you deserve the same respect as any other human being on this planet. As a transgender woman I hope to show that after transition (a life-saving process) one can be happy and successful in their new chapter without having to alienate their past. Most importantly differences should not equal divisions, let's all stand together in union." ‪#‎betruebeyou‬

***

Welcome to the trans fam Andreja!  

Glad you're a girl like us and you are officially joining the long and increasingly stylish line of trans models.   Fashion Week should be quite interesting in September.