Alex Consani won Model of the Year at the 12th Fashion Awards in London on May 2024. 2- The decision to which I can only respond with a resounding "Well, yes!"As the first out transgender woman to win this award, her historic victory marked an important moment for the industry as a whole.

At the annual ceremony hosted by the British Fashion Council, the Model of the Year Award is considered one of the highest honors of the evening 1. Previous winners of the award, created to gain "global influence of models that have dominated the industry over the past 12 months" and "influence beyond the catwalk," include Bella Hadid, Kaia Gerber, Naomi Campbell, Gigi Hadid, Cara Delevingne, Jourdan Dunn, Kate Moss, and most recently the 2023 winner Paloma Elsesser. .

Consani collected her prize in a white corset mini-dress inspired by Dilalafindikoglu's army, with a battered union jack sash that fell to the floor. She paired the custom look, conceptualized via Instagram DM according to Vogue, with nude sandals with straps and a pearl choker necklace.............instagram.........

"I am the first trans woman to win this award," the model began her acceptance speech. "But I can't accept this award without thanking the people who came before me, especially the black trans women who really fought for the space I'm in today:

Curve model Ashley Graham and baby Reindeer star Nava Mau won a limited or limited award at the 2024 Emmy Awards. She made history again this year as the first transwoman to be nominated for best Supporting Actress in an anthology series or film, but presented the award to Consani at the Royal Albert Hall.

"Now, more than ever, it's an important conversation that really should have had about how to support and uplift each other within this industry, especially those who are made to feel insignificant," Consani's speech concluded. "Change is necessary because it is more than possible.

This is not the first time that Consani has paved the way for trans models everywhere. On the 10th month, she joined fellow model Valentina Sampaio, 21, to become the first trans woman to walk through Victoria's secret fashion show. Prior to that, Consani was called the youngest trans model ever to sign with IMG.

However, it was not the happiest of endings for everyone involved. Model Anok Yai, who was once again nominated for Model of The Year after losing to Elsesser in 2023, took to Twitter to express her frustration after Consani's victory was announced.

"Alex, I love you and I'm so proud of you," Yai wrote at the beginning of 2 posts. "The British Fashion Council, thank you, but I don't want it anymore.

In the 2nd tweet, she continued, "If you've ever seen the effort I saw Alex put in; You will understand how proud I am of her. But Alex can be proud and I can be exhausted at the same time. It does not deprive us of how much love we have with each other.

Yai is not exactly clear what she means here, but the unspoken emotion is one of fatigue and disappointment over the way the model of color and its achievements have been repeatedly overlooked throughout history.1

Of course, Consani was not the only winner of the night. AAPAP Rocky took home the Cultural Innovator Award after walking the red carpet with his long-time partner Rihanna.Who brought the drama with a furry blue bustier and a matching hat. Meanwhile, designer Tom Ford received the Outstanding Achievement Award and Jonathan Anderson received the Designer of The Year. Simone Rocha won the Womenswear Designer Award, while unstable star Issa Ray won the Pandora's Leader of Change Award.

As you can probably guess from the uniformity of the list above, the award shows a track record of acknowledging diverse talents, but much is desired. But the victory of Consani is a step in the right direction. Or, at least, a step in the direction.