When Alex Consani isn’t making viral TikToks, including one about her Gru from Minions costume for Halloween, the model is pondering the future of fashion.
Teen Vogue’s October cover star, 21, got candid with the publication about being one of the first trans models to ever walk in the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show on Oct. 15, on being inspired by diverse models, on how patience is a virtue in modeling and where she sees the future of fashion.
Consani reflected on the “really impactful moment” of her and Valentina Sampaio becoming the first two models to strut the annual fashion show.
“It’s crazy, though, because I didn’t even realize I was the first to walk until after I walked the show. I thought that Valentina had already walked a while ago, so having that in my mind took the pressure away,” she explained about Sampaio, who was the first trans model to appear in a Victoria’s Secret campaign, but not a runway, in 2019.
On the day of the show in New York City, Sampaio told PEOPLE, “Today, The Victoria’s Secret family has shown the world that being trans is just as exceptional and beautiful as anyone else on that runway.”
She continued, “Inclusivity is crucial to the world we’re building, and I’m honored to walk with pride, love and the hope of inspiring the next generation.”
While Consani and Sampaio, 27, are celebrating their milestone achievement in the fashion industry, Consani emphasized to Teen Vogue that “there’s more we can do” to advocation for other diverse models, “and it starts with fostering a conversation.”
“It’s scary, though, because if you talk about the need for diversity to someone in power, they might X you out and say, ‘Well, if you’re upset then we’ll just make sure you’re not included,’ ” she said.
Consani, who started modeling when she was 13, now draws inspiration from trans models who eventually came before her, such as Dominique Jackson and Connie Fleming.
“Their experiences were so crazy,” Consani recalled. “Hearing how much they had to push the barriers for me to be where I am today, I could never compare my situation to theirs.”
Consani admitted to Teen Vogue that being White has helped her be celebrated in the fashion industry compared to her counterparts.
“When we have a conversation about fashion, we’re talking about what society views as beautiful or acceptable,” she said.
“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,” Consani addded. “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.”
“The personality that I have and the energy that I give is so heavily inspired by Black trans women,” she continued. “People see me as kitschy and different, but if you’re ever around a Black doll, then you kind of get the same energy that I’m celebrated for. I’m celebrated because I’m White.”
Consani also said that she wants aspiring models to know success takes time.
“For a long time, I didn’t trust the process. I would do one job, then I wouldn’t work for a year. I think I needed that time to really develop myself,” she reflected. “A lot of people are really pushing to do jobs, but I think divine timing is so real in this industry. You have to trust that things will come to you when they’re meant to.”
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Consani believes the future of fashion is models using their voices.
“We’re at a point now where, generally, people recognize that you have to support a disadvantaged community in order for everyone to see them as equal,” she said. “Fashion, now more than ever, values a voice. If you have the ability to use your voice, then you have to use it.”
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