21-year-old transgender model Alex Consani made history on Monday Night at the British Fashion Council’s Fashion Awards. The moment sparked praise and controversy, as Consani won the coveted model of the Year award. She is the first openly transgender person to bag the acclaimed title. Known for her bold, captivating style, Consani frequently appears on the runway for various high-end brands. So, this prestigious recognition has become another feather in an impressive modeling cap.
She took to the stage to claim her award, looking resplendent in a mini-dress made by Turkish-British designer Dilara Findikoglu. The fashionable strapless mini-dress was off-white, sporting a distressed British flag that hung over her left shoulder and trailed behind her. Visibly overjoyed, the American model addressed London’s Royal Albert Hall. She also had a few insights for the fashion industry on the significance of her win.
“I’m the first trans woman to win this award!” she exclaimed proudly on stage. “But I can’t accept this award without thanking those who came before me, specifically the Black trans women who really fought for the space I’m in today.” She mentioned Dominique Jackson, Connie Fleming, and Aaron Rose Philip as some of the people “who fought for the space that allowed me to flourish.”
With this win, Consani joins a long, high-profile list of previous winners, such as Kate Moss and Bella Hadid.
This is, however, not the first time the North Carolina-born model will make history. She is widely regarded as the youngest openly transgender model to secure a significant modeling agency deal. This is, of course, based on her signing with IMG Models in 2019, when she was only 15 years old. Also, in yet another redefining moment in October, she walked for the Victoria’s Secret Fashion show. She is one of the first openly trans models to do so.
Beyond achievements on the runway, Consani also commands a massive audience on social media. This is where she first rose to fame. During the 2020 pandemic, her witty videos on TikTok brought joy and smiles to many. Currently, she boasts an impressive 4 million followers on TikTok and another 1.5 million followers on Instagram.
Not Everyone Is as Excited by This Win as Consani
While many have shared congratulatory messages regarding this announcement, it has also sparked significant outrage. Many critics believe that the award should recognize biological women. Multiple model of the Year award nominee Anok Yai was one of those left unhappy with the event’s outcome. The renowned Sudanese-American model has yet to secure a win after several nominations. And she expressed her disappointment on social media. However, she clarified that her frustration and disappointment were directed at the system, not Consani’s win.
Yai went further to iterate her pride in Consani’s achievement but indicated a lack of interest in competing for the award in the future. This event has highlighted representation concerns within the fashion industry and other corporate sectors. The more significant fashion industry weighed in with careful consideration and celebration. They noted how moments like these highlight ongoing societal debates about gender, identity, and trans acceptance across sectors.
