The international fashion industry has made great strides towards embracing transgender models. They are ultimately the true change agents who battled against their long-term exclusion from the industry.
We anticipate seeing more trans and nonbinary faces on the catwalk, in videos and fashion spreads as the industry gradually broadens its casting pool to include more diverse talent.
For this year’s New York Fashion Week, we noticed a number of trans and non-binary models slaying the event. There was Tommy Dorfman, who fans of Netflix’s Jane the Virgin and 13 Reasons Why may be familiar with. The April 2023 cover model for British Vogue, Aaron Rose Philip, also participated in the show. The model-turned-TikTok influencer Alex Consani, who has over a million followers, walked the runways of several designers this season, including Helmut Lang, Area, and Dion Lee.
Who else caught our eye? Read on to find out!
Dylan Mulvaney
Dylan Mulvaney, a TikTok sensation and actor, first walked the NYFW runway only a year ago, but she has already established herself as a Fashion Week legend. She made a comeback to the catwalk this year and wowed everyone at The Blonds’ Spring 2024 fashion show with her sparkly light blue dress from David and Phillipe Blond.
Colin Jones
Model Colin Jones had a very successful season. She started it off by being one of the first trans models to wear Victoria’s Secret’s renowned “wings” at The Tour ’23. She also appeared on a number of runways this season, including those for Coach, Staud, Jason Wu, Dion Lee, and Gabriela Hearst.
Tommy Dorfman
Tommy Dorfman, an actor, has a soft spot for fashion. The 13 Reasons Why actress thus adorns runways when she isn’t working on a TV set. In a majorly gorgeous pastel ensemble, Dorfman strutted down the Collina Strada Spring 2024 catwalk at NYFW.
Niohuru
Because of their talent with makeup, Niohuru is accustomed to changing into avant-garde personalities. In Bad Binch Tong Tong’s Spring 2024 runway show, where they wore a sculptural out-of-this-world outfit, the nonbinary model felt totally at home.
Gigi Gorgeous
Gigi Gorgeous Getty, a YouTuber, actor, and model, also walked the runway for The Blonds wearing a sculptural metallic pink dress and cheeky knickers.
Dominique Jackson
It was none other than Dominique Jackson, renowned “Pose” actor and tireless activist, who took the stage. Jackson, a well-known model, strutted down the The Blonds Spring/Summer 2024 runway wearing a bodysuit covered in sparkling sequins. The ensemble was completed by a fur and chiffon duster jacket.
Connie Fleming
Connie Fleming is a true pioneer who has been modelling since the 1990s. She was even one of the first faces of Vivienne Westwood and Thierry Mugler. She returned to the runway this season, walking for Area while wearing a boxy blazer that strongly reminded people of the 1980s.
Richie Shazam
Richie Shazam is a model, artist, photographer, and published author, making him a real multi-hyphenate. She appeared on the runways of Wiederhoeft and Prabal Gurung this season, donning some of the looks that are anticipated to be huge for autumn, such as loafer platforms and boxy jackets in the ’80s style.
Antoni Bumba
Antoni Bumba, a TikTok celebrity, became well-known on the app after sharing videos that went viral and featured the “BBL effect” (also known as the Brazilian Butt Lift). Her Kim Shui Spring 2024 runway appearance made perfect sense, as it highlighted the body part she became famous for.
Aaron Rose Philip
Philip, who is only 20 years old, has “lived several lives”. She is a model who has appeared in ads for Sephora, Collina Strada, and Moschino. She is an author who, at the age of 14, released her debut memoir, This Kid Can Fly: It’s About Ability. After landing a British Vogue cover, the trans model generated even more buzz. She naturally appeared at fashion week this season donning Mary Jane shoes with an updated edge and several spikes.
Valentina Sampaio
Valentina Sampaio, the first trans model to represent Victoria’s Secret and feature in the renowned Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue, is certainly already well-known to fashionistas. Sampaio served lewks on the Retrofête runway in a fiery skirt with the highest slit and a feathery top.
