10 top transgender models who are changing the face of beauty
It was a groundbreaking moment for the transgender community Monday when Caitlyn Jenner was unveiled as Vanity Fair’s July cover star. The 65-year-old, formerly known as Bruce Jenner, became an instant fashion icon when she was photographed in a portrait by Annie Leibovitz, wearing nothing but a crème-colored corset.
Jenner may have been the most recognized transgender star to cover a major publication, but she’s hardly the first to make a splash in the fashion industry. Here are 10 other transgender models who are also making their marks and redefining the boundaries of beauty.
1. Hari Nef, 22
Nef recently made waves when major modeling agency IMG announced it had signed her to its roster. Nef graduated in May from Columbia with a degree in drama and theater arts. She's already an accomplished writer, having penned articles for Vice, Dazed & Confused, Adult and others. She made her big runway debut in February, when she walked for brands like Hood By Air, VFiles, Degen and Adam Selman.
2. Valentijn de Hingh, 25
Having already been photographed by the likes of Patrick Demarchelier for Love and Vogue Italia, and walking for shows including Martin Margiela and Commes des Garcons, de Hingh is already a bona fide supermodel. The Amsterdam native came into the spotlight when she was the subject of a Dutch documentary, which followed her from when she was eight until she decided to undergo sex reassignment surgery at 17.
3. Lea T., 34
Discovered by Givenchy's Riccardo Tisci, the Brazil-born, Italy-raised model has become one of the most visible trans faces in the fashion industry. Now a muse to Tisci, she's one of the top models in Italy, and was recently named one of Forbes' "12 Women Who Have Changed Italian Fashion." Catch her as the current face of Redken's hair campaigns.
4. Andreja Pejic, 23
Discovered on her 17th birthday while working at McDonald's, the Australian beauty became an overnight sensation when she was dubbed an androgynous model. Since, she's graced the catwalks from Marc Jacobs to Jean-Paul Gaultier, fronted magazines like New York, and became one of the first openly transgender models to be profiled by Vogue. Now she officially identifies as a woman after her sex reassignment surgery last year. She's currently planning a documentary of her journey.
5. Ines-Loan Rau, 25
Besties with Andreja, Rau has already posed for books like Oyster and Playboy, and had asteamy photoshoot with Tyson Beckford. The New Yorker is currently writing a book about her transition, in between photoshoots.
6. Arisce Wanzer
Known for the open letter read around the world, Wanzer first received mass attention after she penned a note bashing Kendall Jenner. The outspoken model spoke on record about the fashion industry to The Hairpin. "I think in general the fashion industry is just fickle," she says. "They just don’t give a fuck. If it’s not trendy right now, it’s dead to them. And so often, they’re like, 'We already have a tranny. We already have a black girl.'" The model has been the face of Kenneth Cole and has walked for shows like Topshop.
7. Geena Rocero, 32
Discovered in New York City's Lower East Side, the Philippines native spent 12 years as a swimsuit model. It was only until 2014 at a TED Talk when the model came out as transgender. She launched Gender Proud, an organization that stands up for the rights of all transgender people all over the world.
8. Aydian Dowling, 27
The only man to make our list, Dowling received attention as the first transgender to take the lead in a reader-voted competition to name Men's Health next cover star. He then replicatedAdam Levine's much-discussed nude pose for Cosmo UK. The married 27-year old appeared onEllen to discuss his journey redefining the definition of masculinity.
9. Carmen Carrera, 30
After first appearing as a contestant on RuPaul's Drag Race, Carrera transitioned into the fashion world through a spread in W magazine. After appearances on TLC and ABC, Carrera became a transgender activist, even once publicly criticizing RuPaul for using the term "she-male." Photographed by Dave Lachapelle, Carrera continues to be an outspoken advocate for the transgender community.
10. Isis King
Another reality show veteran, King was discovered by Tyra Banks on America's Next Top Model when she posed in the background for another season's contestants. Banks brought her back as her own contestant on a future season where she broke barriers as the first transgender model on the show. She has since been featured in Seventeen, Out and Candymagazine's 2014 issue, alongside 13 other transgender women.
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