Page 48 - TRANZLOOK MAGAZINE

THE RISE IN THE FASHION INDUSTRY

OF TRANSGENDER MODELS

VALENTINA SAMPAIO

In 2017 she became the first openly

transgender model to be on the cover of Vogue
Pars, also appearing on the covers of Brazilian

Vogue and German Vogue.
2019 saw her working with Victoria Secret.

In 2020 she became the first trans model to

appear in Sports Illustrated's swimsuit Issue.

2019 " Project Runway's" season welcomed its
first transgender model to the show .

Tao born in Thailand and grew up training to

be a Buddhist monk, where she started putting
on make up and blurring genders.

She moved to US where she signed a modelling
career. " I want to change the industry," Tao

said. " I want to inspire all transgender young
generation who have a dream. Keep knocking

the door, if they don't open, the door is going

to break one day," she said.
MIMI TAO

Leyna's modelling career began at the same

time she came out as trans. In 2014 she graced
LEYNA BLOOM Fashion Week. In 2021 she made history again
a candy magazine cover highlighting trans

women. She has walked in 2017's New York

when she became the first trans women of

colour to model 12 Swimsuits in the pages of
Sports Illustrated.