23 Trans People Making Waves in the Fashion Industry to Keep on Your Radar

The Citizen

3 months ago

It’s not new information that the transgender community’s impact on fashion is and has been incredibly significant. Trans people have long been at the forefront of the industry, gracing high-caliber runways and magazine covers and influencing ideas and aesthetics that remain in the foundation of mainstream culture. Although they may not all have been out at the height of their careers, trailblazer models like Tracey “Africa” Norman, Connie Fleming and April Ashley set the stage for the increasing inclusion we see on and off the catwalk today.

That’s not to say it didn’t take time for the fashion industry to embrace the community. It wasn’t until 2014 that we saw the first trans model (Andreja Pejic) profiled in American Vogue, which led to a sort of domino effect throughout the 2010s. Hari Nef became the first openly trans woman to be signed to IMG in 2015 and Victoria’s Secret worked with its first openly trans model (Valentina Sampaio) in 2019.

At the same time that these historic advances were being made, a movement to strip trans people of basic human rights was reignited, particularly in the United States. Those efforts have only increased over the last five months. (Just this year, more than 942 anti-trans bills have been introduced across the country, with 116 of them already passing.) And yet, in the face of unfounded hatred and intolerance, trans people not only persevere but prevail, breaking more barriers, accomplishing major achievements and contributing impactful creative work with each passing day.

Alex Consani was awarded the Model of the Year prize at the 2024 Fashion Awards in London, making her the first trans woman to receive the honor. She and Valentina Sampaio also became the first openly trans people to walk in the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show, while Zaya Wade ushered in a new era for Seventeen magazine in February as its first cover star in several years. And that’s all just in the last seven months.

As Pride month comes to a close, we’re spotlighting the trans creatives making waves in fashion today and those who will dominate the industry tomorrow. Trust us, keep these names on your radar — not just through June 30, but year-round.

Emira D’Spain

Previously the beauty director at Paper Magazine, Emira D’Spain is a full-time model and content creator with more than 1.3 million followers on TikTok, where she shares her journey in the fashion industry. She was the first Black transgender woman to work with Victoria’s Secret and continues to collaborate with major brands, including Nars and Anastasia Beverly Hills. She also stars in Bravo’s new show, “Next Gen NYC,” making her the first openly trans person to join the reality network as a full-time cast member.

Enza Khoury

Enza Khoury made her debut on the cover of I-D Magazine‘s “The Unknown Issue” earlier this year, sparking discourse about whether or not fame can be “manufactured overnight.” Discovered by “Euphoria” casting director Jennifer Venditti in an open casting call of more than 800 applicants, the 18-year-old has since moved to New York City from Ohio to pursue acting and modeling.

Tommy Dorfman

Tommy Dorfman is an actor and model, starring in projects like “13 Reasons Why,” “Sharp Stick” and, most recently, “Romeo + Juliet” on Broadway. She’s become a standout attendee in the New York Fashion Week scene, frequenting the front rows (and runways) of Collina Strada, Coach, Thom Browne and more.

Aariana Rose Philip

In 2018, Aariana Rose Philip became the first Black, transgender and physically disabled model to be represented by a major agency. Born and raised in New York City, the 24-year-old has appeared on the runways of Moschino and Collina Strada, and starred on several magazine covers, including British Vogue. When she’s not serving at a fashion show, Philip is a staunch activist for disability and trans rights, specifically seeking ways to make the fashion industry more accessible and inclusive.

Zaya Wade

The daughter of Gabrielle Union and Dwyane Wade, Zaya Wade is quickly climbing the ranks of the fashion industry, making her runway debut at Miu Miu’s Fall 2023 show and covering magazines like Seventeen all before her 18th birthday. Wade continues to work with major brands like Coach, H&M, Revolve and MAC Cosmetics.

Kai Schreiber

The 16-year-old daughter of actors Liev Schreiber and Naomi Watts, Kai Schreiber made her runway debut in March on the Valentino runway during Paris Fashion Week. Signed to IMG Models, she’s since starred in Valentino’s Fall 2025 campaign, been featured in Interview Magazine and begun working with Armani Beauty.

Valentina Sampaio

In 2019, Brazilian model Valentina Sampaio became the first openly transgender model to work with Victoria’s Secret. The following year, she also became the first openly transgender model to be featured in Sports Illustrated‘s Swimsuit Issue. Since then, she’s appeared on the runways of Tory Burch, Diesel and Etro, and starred in campaigns for L’Oréal, Jean Paul Gaultier and Dsquared2.

Te Manahou Mackay

Te Manahou Mackay has already walked for several major runways throughout Australian Fashion Week (including Carla Zampatti, Christopher Esber and Michael Lo Sordo); it’s only a matter of time before the IMG-signed, Sydney-based model makes her debut in other fashion capitals.

Ella Snyder

As a student at Parsons, Ella Snyder found success on YouTube documenting her art and life in New York City. Since then, she’s been signed as a model to One Management, appeared in multiple fashion campaigns and continues to write her own column for Cosmopolitan.

Hari Nef

Hari Nef made her runway debut in 2015, walking for Hood By Air and Eckhaus Latta during New York Fashion Week. She went on to be the first openly transgender woman signed to IMG models, quickly covering major magazines and adding more fashion shows to her resume. The rising actor has also starred in blockbuster projects like “Barbie” and “You,” and can often be found in the front row throughout Fashion Month.

Dara

Dara is the mastermind stylist responsible for the major fashion moments of Hunter Schafer and Addison Rae. She’s also in her third year as the fashion director for Interview Magazine. When she’s not styling Hollywood’s biggest names for red carpets and cover shoots, she’s walking the runways of Marc Jacobs, Miu Miu, Nina Ricci, Alexander McQueen and more.

Alex Consani

Alex Consani is arguably the most famous model of the modern era, consistently appearing not only on the runways of Chanel, Tom Ford, Thom Browne, Versace and many other major names, but also amassing more than 5.7 million followers on TikTok for her comedic videos and behind-the-scenes looks at her life in the fashion industry. In 2024, Consani’s “It” girl status became even more official when she became the first transgender person to win Model of the Year at the Fashion Awards.

Jari Jones

Jari Jones is a celebrated film producer and actor who has modeled for Calvin Klein, Dove and Chromat. For the red carpet premiere of her latest project, “Ponyboi” (which follows the story of an intersex sex worker), she wore a custom look by New York-based designer Guvanch. Jones has also appeared on the covers of Dazed and L’Officiel Italia.

Teddy Quinlivan

Discovered in 2015 by designer Nicolas Ghesquière, Teddy Quinlivan is an American model who has walked for brands including Christian Dior, Louis Vuitton, Saint Laurent and Carolina Herrera. Quinlivan became the first openly transgender model to work with Chanel in 2019.

Colin Jones

Born and raised in Utah, Colin Jones is a 21-year-old, New York City-based model signed with Women Management. Jones made her runway debut during the Fall 2022 season of New York Fashion Week, walking for Gabriela Hearst. Since then, she’s also appeared on the Thom Browne, Michael Kors, Valentino and Maison Margiela runways.

Vivian Wilson

Vivian Wilson has been making waves online with her political activism and commentary against her estranged father, Elon Musk. Since coming out as transgender in 2020, Wilson has covered Teen Vogue and moved to Los Angeles in pursuit of a full-time modeling career.

James Ford

James Ford is a Los Angeles-based designer best known for his appearance on Netflix’s design competition show “Next in Fashion.” He started his vintage-inspired ready-to-wear brand, Rowena Social Club, in 2020.

Willa Devereux

Willa Devereux is a New York-based model who has walked the runways of Balenciaga, Kim Shui, LaQuan Smith and Dion Lee. She’s also appeared in campaigns for Gentle Monster and Melissa Shoes, and fronted the covers of multiple international magazines.

Gogo Graham

Gogo Graham is a Brooklyn-based designer with an eponymous brand, for which she’s shown two collections during New York Fashion Week. She was also reportedly the first transgender designer to make garments specifically for transgender bodies.

Pia Davis

Pia Davis is the co-founder of No Sesso, a fashion brand acclaimed for its edgy, often avant-garde designs. The brand has collaborated with Levi’s, was a finalist for the 2022 CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund and has shown multiple times at New York Fashion Week and Los Angeles Fashion Week.

Hunter Schafer

Although Hunter Schafer shot to mainstream fame in 2019 after starring in “Euphoria,” she’s been a fashion industry favorite model since 2017, when she began walking the runways of international brands. She’s modeled for Christian Dior, Marc Jacobs, Converse, Gucci and Miu Miu — just to name a few. In her acting career, Schafer has also starred in “The Hunger Games” franchise, “Cuckoo” and “Kinds of Kindness.” With each project’s press tour, her looks have become ones to watch, thanks to help from her aforementioned stylist, Dara.

Nathan Westling

Nathan Westling began his modeling career in 2014 in a Marc Jacobs campaign alongside Miley Cyrus. After coming out as transgender in 2019, the model has continued his career in the fashion industry, working with Prada and Helmut Lang and starring on the covers of Dazed, L’Uomo, I-D and V-Man.

Munroe Bergdorf

Munroe Bergdorf is a 37-year-old model and contributing editor to British Vogue. On top of her appearances on magazine covers and events for major fashion houses, Bergdorf has also released a self-reflective documentary, “Love and Rage,” and two books, including her most recent title, “Talk To Me,” which discusses navigating discussions on gender, beauty and more.

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Source: Fashionista.com