Alex Consani at the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show, being a Gen Z icon and trans representation in fashion

“I came into fashion at a time when people were looking for a space for diversity. I’ve talked to so many of the amazing trans models, like Dominique Jackson And Connie Fleming”, says Consani. “Their experiences were so crazy. When I heard how much they had to push the barriers to be where I am today, I could never compare my situation to theirs.

How Consani operates as a model is reminiscent of the supers who preceded her. She forges her own path, which is nod to in the lead article for this story, with Consani playing all the roles on set. And she’s appeared in music videos from the year’s hottest stars, including Charli XCX‘S “360” And JT‘S “OK.” For Consani, however, it is about so much more than satiating the spirit of the times; she breaks barriers.

In August, Consani became the first trans woman nominated Model of the year from the British Fashion Council, and with this story she makes her Conde Nast cover debut. “When I was growing up, my mother always said ‘That’s in fashion’ to indicate that something is good, and today I am very good. I feel so satisfied.… It means so much more than just me.”

Representation led Consani to her current career. At the age of 13, she had the “fashion bug,” she says with a sly smile. “There was something that really attracted me, especially when I saw that there weren’t many other trans models out there.” That year, while attending a trans summer camp in Los Angeles, Consani met other Gen Z trans icons, such as Diesel muse Ella Snyder And activist Jazz Jennings. “I saw all these girls achieve so much at such a young age,” she remembers. “I was so inspired.”

When Consani returned home to the Bay Area, she asked her parents to help her pursue her dreams of becoming a model. Her mother searched for agencies online before coming across trans-focused Slay Model Management (how appropriate) on Facebook. From there, Consani became the youngest trans model ever signed to an agency.

For almost a decade, Consani has been attending go-sees and working toward her moment. Now that she’s here, she wants to remind emerging models — and her younger self — that patience is a virtue. “For a long time I didn’t trust the process. I would do one job and then not work for a year. I think I needed that time to really develop myself,” she reflects. “A lot of people really try their best to do work, but I think divine timing is so real in this industry. You have to trust that things will come to you when they are meant to be.”