L'OFFICIEL celebrates the trans models and designers driving fashion forward.

Fashion is constantly evolving, and in recent years, that's meant becoming a more inclusive space. While transgender figures like <a href="https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-merseyside-24271931">April Ashley</a> and <a href="https://www.thecut.com/2015/12/tracey-africa-transgender-model-c-v-r.html">Tracey "Africa" Norman</a> paved the way in the 20th century, now a number of trans models, <a href="https://www.lofficielusa.com/fashion/nicolas-lecourt-mansion-french-trans-designer-interview-lady-gaga-kendall-jenner">designers</a>, and activists are making waves in the fashion industry. This fashion month, L'OFFICIEL celebrates 14 of today's most influential trans fashion figures.

Pierre-David-No-Sesso-LA-designer-and-brand-2020.png

LA-based Pierre Davis was the first Black trans designer to ever <a href="https://www.elle.com/uk/fashion/a26151490/pierre-davis-transgender-designer-new-york-fashion-week/">debut</a> a collection at New York Fashion Week. With a well-deserved title, Davis made headlines for her inclusive brand <a href="https://nosesso.la/">No Sesso</a>, which translates to <a href="https://www.lofficielusa.com/fashion/queer-fashion-brands-to-shop-now">&ldquo;no sex/no gender.&rdquo;</a> With her avant-garde designs and creative vision, Davis focuses on celebrating the Black community and building&nbsp;an all-inclusive&nbsp;environment through fashion.

Teddy-Quinlivan-Beverly-Hills-natural-makeup-2020.png

After being discovered by <a href="https://www.lofficielusa.com/fashion-week/louis-vuitton-fall-2020-runway-show">Louis Vuitton</a> designer&nbsp;Nicolas Ghesqui&egrave;re, <a href="https://www.lofficielusa.com/beauty/teddy-quinlivan-chanel-beauty-2019">Teddy Quinlivan</a> became a high-profile model and advocate. After coming out in 2017, she became&nbsp;one of the influential models speaking out for trans advocacy and the #MeToo movement. A true trailblazer, Quinlivan became the first trans model to front a <a href="https://www.lofficielusa.com/beauty/teddy-quinlivan-chanel-beauty-2019">Chanel campaign</a>.

Hunter-Schafer-model-actress-HBO-Euphoria-Season-2-2020.png

You may recognize Hunter Schafer from the runways of&nbsp;<a href="https://www.lofficielusa.com/fashion-week/marc-jacobs-runway-show-spring-2020">Marc Jacobs</a>, <a href="https://www.lofficielusa.com/fashion/hunter-schafer-prada-spring-2022-campaign" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Prada</a>, and <a href="https://www.lofficielusa.com/pop%20culture/miu-miu-venice-film-festival-womens-tales">Miu Miu</a>, or, most notably, from&nbsp;HBO's&nbsp;<a href="https://www.lofficielusa.com/film-tv/euphoria-season-2-zendaya-news-release-date-cast">Euphoria</a>. Before the 24-year-old became a model and actress, however, Schafer was always a trans activist. As a high schooler, Schafer protested for trans rights, even suing North Carolina over the <a href="https://www.wmagazine.com/story/hunter-schafer-model-bathroom-bill/">bathroom bill</a>,&nbsp;which requires people to use public restrooms according to the gender they were assigned at birth.

indya-moore-lofficiel-digital-trans-model.jpg

Bronx-native Indya Moore was named one of Time's&nbsp;<a href="https://time.com/collection/100-most-influential-people-2019/">most influential people</a> in 2019, and for good reason. The nonbinary actor is outspoken about trans and gender-nonconforming representation and has made an impact in fashion and Hollywood. Before their role as Angel Evangelista on&nbsp;Pose, Moore modeled for Christian Dior and Gucci as a teenager, and opened <a href="https://www.lofficielusa.com/fashion-week/indya-moore-jason-wu-spring-2021-collection">Jason Wu's socially-distanced Spring/Summer 2021 show</a>.

Chella-Man-I-am-proud-to-be-disabled-2020.png

Chella Man is a prominent voice for both the deaf and LGBTQ+ communities. The 21-year-old is an activist and artist, who has shared his journey on social media, making YouTube videos about his life as a&nbsp;trans, deaf, genderqueer, and Chinese and Jewish person of color.&nbsp;As a model, he&#39;s been featured in&nbsp;<a href="https://www.lofficielusa.com/fashion-week/christian-cowan-spring-nyfw-2019">Christian Cowan&rsquo;s</a> Spring/Summer 2021 collection and worked on campaigns for&nbsp;Calvin Klein and Gap.

Laith-Ashley-model-Instagram-2020.png

One of the most notable male trans models today, <a href="https://www.instagram.com/laith_ashley/">Laith Ashley</a> has a long list of high-profile modeling gigs, including a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.lofficielusa.com/fashion/calvin-klein-underwear-launches-andy-warhol-capsule-collection">Calvin Klein underwear</a> campaign. Before becoming a model, he worked as a social worker at an LGBTQ+ community health center. With a heart of gold, the model continues to be an inspiration for the trans community.

MiMi-Tao-Project-Runway-Red-Modeling-model-2020.png

Despite training as a Buddhist monk, Mimi Tao always knew that lifestyle wasn&rsquo;t for her. Training under former Thai model Rojjana &ldquo;Yui&rdquo; Phetkanha, Tao had her sights on becoming a supermodel in New York City. After debuting as&nbsp;Project Runway&rsquo;s first trans model, Tao continues to walk fashion week runways and star in editorials.

gogo-graham-designer.jpg

Brooklyn resident and designer <a href="https://www.vogue.com/article/gogo-graham-designer-self-portrait-series-collection">Gogo Graham</a> handmakes clothes for the trans community. Before creating her own <a href="https://www.depop.com/gogograham/">Depop shop</a>, Graham designed for J-Pop bands and LGBT&nbsp;icon <a href="https://www.lofficielusa.com/music/ru-paul-new-book-guru-makeup-mally-beauty">RuPaul</a>. Now, she&nbsp;creates garments&nbsp;for trans women that are made with different body types in mind, and donates proceeds from specific pieces&nbsp;from her shop to organizations like&nbsp;<a href="https://www.instagram.com/forthegworls/?hl=en">For the Gworls</a>, which supports Black trans communities.

Nathan-Westling-LA-model-Collier-Schorr-The-Society-2020.png

<a href="https://www.cnn.com/style/article/nathan-westling-transgender-model/index.html">Nathan Westling</a> is no stranger to the runway. He made his debut for Marc Jacobs in 2013 and starred in campaigns for houses including <a href="https://www.lofficielusa.com/fashion/celebrating-over-a-century-of-chanel-s-parisian-chic">Chanel</a>, <a href="https://www.lofficielusa.com/fashion-week/versace-fall-2020-runway-show">Versace</a>, <a href="https://www.lofficielusa.com/fashion-week/prada-spring-2020">Prada</a>, and Christian Dior. Since transitioning in 2019, Westling left New York for the sunny streets of <a href="https://www.lofficielusa.com/beauty/best-beauty-stores-los-angeles">Los Angeles</a> as Nathan and went on pause from modeling, but has <a href="https://www.dazeddigital.com/fashion/article/46816/1/nathan-westling-model-interview">expressed</a> that he'll likely return to fashion.

Isis-King-phenomenally-trans-Instagram-America's-Next-Top-Model-Netflix-2020.png

Competing on America&rsquo;s Next Top Model&nbsp;in 2008, <a href="https://deadline.com/2019/08/when-they-see-us-isis-king-interview-lgbtq-trans-diversity-inclusion-ava-duvernay-netflix-1202666053/">Isis King</a> was one of the few trans women to appear on TV. She first&nbsp;gained modeling experience in the <a href="https://www.lofficielusa.com/film-tv/jameela-jamil-dashaun-wesley-discuss-ballroom-culture-why-representation-matters">ballroom</a> scene. After&nbsp;ANTM,&nbsp;she pursued acting and went on to be cast in&nbsp;Ava DuVernay&rsquo;s&nbsp;<a href="https://www.netflix.com/title/80200549">When They See Us</a>.&nbsp;King continues to work in fashion, modeling for <a href="https://www.lofficielusa.com/fashion/megan-thee-stallion-sexy-savage-x-fenty-holiday">Rihanna's Savage X Fenty</a>, Christian Cowan, and other cutting-edge designers.

Alex Consani walking for Moschino. Getty Images.

Known and loved by many, Alex Consani is easily the biggest model at the moment. At only 21 years old, Consani has already walked for the biggest brands in fashion. From Mugler, Givenchy, Marc Jacobs, Ferragamo and many others, Consani has been dominating the runways, campaigns and magazines. She is also extremely loved by her millions of followers on TikTok, where her quirky and funny personality have made her the most loved model of the moment. This fashion month, she's walked for Etro, Diesel, Moschino, Grace Ling, Luar, and Ferragamo, and with the start of Paris Fashion Week today, there's no doubt we'll be seeing more of her very soon.&nbsp;

Colin Jones walking for Mugler. Getty Images.

A trans model icon and recent Victoria's Secret angel, Jones is a model that is beloved by many in the fashion community. Known for her powerful walk publicly labeled as 'the walk of all walks,' Jones has gone viral on social media for her several runways for brands like Maison Margiela, Ferragamo, Mugler, Chloe, ALL-IN, and Dsquared2, to name a few. This fashion month, she's already walked Ferragamo, Etro, and Boss and, like Alex Consani, is set to be in Paris, where we will probably get to see more of her iconic walk.

Dalton Dubois in Valentino for CR Fashion Book. Photo via Instagram/@itsdaltond

With her debut only a year ago at Burberry, Dubois has made a huge name for herself in the modeling industry, having opened for Dolce and Gabbana and closed for Diesel. She's walked dozens of shows like Balmain, Mugler, Off-White, Ferragamo, Maison Margiela, and GCDS, among many others, and has appeared on covers of magazines and campaigns.&nbsp;

Britney Manson walking for Philipp Plein. Photo via Instagram/@britneymnsn

Singer and model Britney Manson already has a pretty big following, yet every year she continues to dominate the catwalks in New York, London, Milan and Paris - and this year is no different. Having already walked for her dream brand this season, Philipp Plein, and with Paris Fashion Week just beginning, we're anticipating seeing more of Manson's iconic walks very soon.

14 Transgender Figures Making Fashion History

Tags

Related Articles

Fashion

Trans Designer Nicolas Lecourt Mansion Brings All That Glitters to Lady Gaga and More

L'Officiel Art

A Look Inside Hunter Schafer's Sketchbook

Film & TV

Indya Moore Brews A Perfect Cup of Tea

Recommended posts for you

Fashion

Bella Hadid Puts Her Spin on the Suede Obsession With Fringed Valentino

Fashion

Anya Taylor-Joy Fronts Tiffany’s Romantic Holiday Campaign

Fashion

Actor Mikey Madison's Best Red Carpet Looks

Fashion

Jennifer Lopez Serves Cinnamon Realness in Gucci Micro Shorts

Fashion

Irina Shayk Goes Braless in a Silver, See-Through Dress

Shopping

Depop Thrifting 101: How to Sell, Earn, and Find Gems

Pop culture

The Biggest Celebrity Baby News of 2024

Film & TV

Jeremy Allen White Transforms into Bruce Springsteen for Upcoming Biopic