BY: CARESSE LIANG / STAFF WRITER
On Dec. 2, 2024. American model Alex Consani won the coveted Model of the Year award at the annual Fashion Awards in London. This victory shook the world, as it recognized Consani’s perseverance through the competitive modeling industry and broke down long-standing barriers for transgender individuals in fashion.
Dubbed as “fashion’s new it girl,” Consani’s win brought a flourishing audience ovation. The night was filled with anticipation, as the model took the stage and used the opportunity to honor those before her.
As quoted by NBC, she met the audience with a beaming smile, exclaiming, “I’m the first trans woman to win this award!”
She acknowledged the influences surrounding her life, “But I can’t accept this award without thanking those who came before me, specifically the Black trans women who really fought for the space I’m in today.”
Consani’s speech inwardly reflected the efforts that paved the way for her success, not only by highlighting her own journey but also by emphasizing the struggles and triumphs that Black transgender women brought to the fashion industry.
While Consani dons on the weight of the historic pioneers and embraces this award, it is important to understand that she did not start out as famous as she is now.
Alex Consani first began walking at the age of 12, solidifying herself as the world’s youngest transgender model to begin modeling. By 2019, she signed on with IMG Models at 15 years old, marking the beginning of a promising career.
Her early start allowed her to develop a unique presence around other models like Dominique Jackson, a fellow transgender model, and the attention of top designers worldwide.
In addition to the rise of modeling, Consani began to grow a wide following from her account on TikTok, @/captincroook, where she has posted numerous videos that steadily gained traction for her addictive humor in 2019 and onward.
Fans can acknowledge that it was not her modeling status that made her loveable, but her witty, loud, and relatable personality that echoed throughout every video
Consani has recognized this, noting that, “Fashion, now more than ever, values a voice. If you have the ability to use your voice, then you have to use it.”
While Consani’s victory turned the page for transgender models in the fashion industry, she does recognize that this line of work still needs to improve. “I don’t see the people who I’m inspired by doing the same jobs I’m doing or getting the same support. It’s upsetting.”
She hopes companies that use models for their image understand that diversity is needed to strengthen the community—and reflect on those that carried fashion up to now: Black women. “Where are the dolls of color? Where’s the South Asian models? The Native American/Indigenous models? I’m close to people in those communities, and it’s really changed my perception of fashion.”
Consani has been labeled as a symbol of change in a variety of different shows. More recently, her participation in the Victoria’s Secret fashion show in October 2024 marked another landmark in the fashion industry. Consani, along with fellow model Valentina Sampaio, were the first transgender models to ever walk for Victoria’s Secret.
These events cemented her as an influential model, ultimately allowing her to become a nominee for the Model of the Year award in London. It comes without question that Consani is regarded as one of the most deserving models of the year to earn this award—as both audiences and social media gave her a warm and enthusiastic reception.
As the modeling world continues to shift towards greater inclusivity and change, Consani’s journey is just beginning. Her influential presence on social media has already left a lasting impression on the fashion community—and with her unique blend of talent, personality, and advocacy, Consani is expected to continue championing the industry of fashion for years to come.
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