6 Trans Models Who Are Changing the Beauty Space
Andreja Pejic
Geena Rocero
Isis King
YASMINE PETTY
Yasmine Petty, a transgender model, has walked runways alongside Naomi Campbell and Karolina Kurkova. Makeup artist Pat McGrath utilized her as an ambassador for her Skin Fetish 003 launch. But before establishing herself in the industry, Petty would book gigs until agencies discovered she was transgender, to which the use of her photos would be denied. Petty's journey is a window into the progression of transgender individuals in media: While the mainstream has become more accepting, we still have major strides to make.
In the larger picture, we're lagging. But individually, it's inspiring to see trans models trailblazing their way through the industry, landing major campaigns and covering magazines, and, of course, clearing the path for others. Below, take a look at some of the most successful transgender individuals who are redefining what it means to be a model.
Stav Strashko
"I consider myself a girl only because of the world we live in. For example, if I wear a skinny jean, a crop top, and makeup, people see me as a girl, so I feel obligated to say I am a girl. But I would rather live without definition." — Stav Strashko, to Teen Vogue
Scouted at the age of 16 in Tel Aviv, Strashko swiftly climbed the ranks as a top model, walking in shows like Marc Jacobs and Diesel, but the journey wasn't always smooth—she recounts having to prove herself to people who "[didn't] understand" or weren't accepting of her. Today, though, she's one of the most sought-after models in the biz.
Lea Cerezo
"We are not all the same; we don't need to have all the same prototype. In beauty, when there is a prototype, you become a slave of this icon, of this canon of beauty. But you need to see inside the person." — Lea T, to The Cut
Lea Cerezo, better known as Lea T, shot to stardom after her friend and designer Ricardo Tisci cast her in a 2010 Givenchy ad campaign (the T in her nickname stands for Tisci). She later nabbed a role as the face of Redken, making her one of the first transgender individuals to be the spokesperson for a major beauty brand. But it's not so much about the modeling for Cerezo and more so about being fulfilled: "It was more like, I can have a chance to pay my rent, pay my surgeries, and do my things to live with my serenity and peace."
Hari Nef
"Beauty is experienced differently for men and women, and I've only had about a year and a half to figure out how to feel beautiful as a woman. Beauty culture is scary and painful. I'm still learning how to feel comfortable in a beauty I define for myself—or hope to, eventually." — Hari Nef to Allure
Nef is the first transgender model to be signed by big-league agency IMG (who reps models like Gisele and Gigi). She was also cast in season two of Transparent and The Drums's music video "There is Nothing Left." In addition to modeling, Nef is also a writer and activist: she's written pieces for Dazed, Vice, Original Plumbing, BlackBook, and Adult magazine.
To learn more about the transgender community, visit GLAAD.
This post was originally published at an earlier date and has since been updated.