When Alex Consani isn’t making viral TikToks, including one about her Gru from favorites Halloween costume, the model reflects on the future of fashion.
Teen Vogue The October cover star, 21, opened up about being one of the first trans models ever to walk the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show on Oct. 15, how she’s inspired by different models, how patience is a virtue in modeling and where she sees the future of fashion.
Consani reflected on the “really impressive moment” when she and Valentina Sampaio became the first two models to strut in the annual fashion show.
“It’s crazy though, because I didn’t even realize I walked first until I walked in the show. I thought Valentina had walked for a while, so I kept that in mind that it took the pressure off,” she explained of Sampaio, who was the first trans model to appear in a Victoria’s Secret campaign, but not on the runway, in 2019. year.
‘Teen Vogue’ cover star Alex Consani.
Angalis Field/Teen Vogue
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On the day of the show in New York, Sampaio told PEOPLE, “Today, the Victoria’s Secret family showed the world that being trans is just as exceptional and beautiful as anyone else on that runway.”
She continued: “Inclusivity is key to the world we’re building and I’m honored to walk with pride, love and hope to inspire the next generation.”
While Consani and Sampaio, 27, celebrate their milestone in the fashion industry, Consani emphasized for Teen Vogue that “we can do more” in advocating for other different models, “and that starts with encouraging conversation.”
“It’s scary, though, because if you talk about the need for diversity to someone in power, they might kick you out and say, ‘Well, if you’re upset, we’ll make sure you’re not included,’ ” she said.
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Alex Consani during the filming of ‘Teen Vogue’.
Angalis Field/Teen Vogue
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Consani, who started modeling when she was 13, now draws inspiration from trans models who came before her over time, such as Dominique Jackson and Connie Fleming.
“Their experiences were so crazy,” Consani recalled. “Hearing how much barriers they had to push to get me to where I am today, I could never compare my situation to theirs.”
Consani admitted Teen Vogue being white helped her make a name for herself in the fashion industry compared to her peers.
“When we talk about fashion, we talk about what society considers beautiful or acceptable,” she said.
“I don’t see people who inspire me doing the same jobs as me or don’t get the same support. It’s upsetting,” added Consani. “Where are the colorful dolls? Where are the South Asian models? Native American/Indigenous models? I’m close to people in those communities and it really changed my perception of fashion.”
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Alex Consani poses for her ‘Teen Vogue’ cover shoot.
Angalis Field/Teen Vogue
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“The personality that I have and the energy that I give off is very much inspired by black trans women,” she continued. “People see me as kitschy and different, but if you’re ever around a black doll, you get the same energy that I’m celebrated for. I’m celebrated because I’m white.”
Consani also said she wants aspiring models to know that success takes time.
“For a long time, I didn’t trust the process. I would work one job, then I wouldn’t work for a year. I think I needed that time to really develop,” she reflected. “A lot of people are really trying to do jobs, but I think divine timing is so real in this industry. You have to believe that things will come to you when they are meant to.”
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Consani believes that the future of fashion is models using their voice.
“We’re at a point now where people generally understand that you have to support the disadvantaged community so that everyone sees them as equals,” she said. “Fashion, now more than ever, values voice. If you have the ability to use your voice, then you must use it.”
Categories: Trends
Source: HIS Education