Victoria’s Secret Hires First Trans Model for Athletic Line

Victoria’s Secret just hired its first openly transgender model Valentina Sampaio. The 22-year-old native Brazilian will be featured in its catalog for the company’s athletic line VS Pink.

This news comes nearly a year after Ed Razek, Chief Marketing Officer of Victoria’s Secret’s parent company L brand, spoke to Vogue magazine dismissing the idea of “transsexuals” in Victoria’s Secret’s fashion shows. Razek recently resigned from the company after apologizing for his comments saying trans models could walk in the fashion shows.

Sampaio’s agent Eric Zanon spoke to the New York Times and said he believes this a great time to break barriers in the fashion industry and contribute greater representation for everyone.

The Realist Woman’s take:

It’s wonderful to come across good news about a trans woman. Trans women are more likely to be violated, abused and killed in this country and around the world, so a story like this is inspiring and uplifting.

Victoria's Secret and the fashion industry, in general, can only benefit from inclusivity as it has shown to be a proven model for success. When you don't limit your product to one kind of customer, you win.