Puerto Rican model Sophia Girao, 24, has become the first model with Down syndrome to sign with Victoria’s Secret fashion for women.
Sofia made her debut in the brand’s latest comprehensive campaign for the lingerie and womenswear brand.
In 2019, Sophia made headlines following launching her own online store, which she chose as Alavett.
Sophia appeared in an advertisement for Victoria’s Secret on Valentine’s Day, following the debut of the brand’s new Love Cloud Collection.
“The ‘Love Cloud’ collection is a key moment in the brand’s evolution, from the incredible cast who bring the set to life, to the incredible inclusive spirit on set, and this campaign is a part of the brand’s evolution,” Victoria’s Secret creative director Raul Martinez told NBC News. important part of the new Victoria’s Secret standard that we are creating.”
In June, Victoria’s Secret announced that it would abandon “angels”, referring to beautiful models, to become the most inclusive scientist.
At the time, the company said, “When the world was changing, we were too slow to respond. We needed to stop talking regarding what men want and be regarding what women want.”
At the time, soccer star and activist Megan Rapinoe, Chinese-American freestyle skater Elaine Jo, and a number of others participated in the campaign.
Rapinoe complained at the time that the brand was “sexist and looks not only at what it means to be sexy but what clothes are trying to achieve through a masculine lens and through what men want”.
“The products are heavily marketed towards younger women,” she added, describing the company’s previous message as “really harmful”.
Rapinoe continued, “As a gay woman I think a lot regarding what we think is sexy, and we have the ability to do, because I don’t have to wear the traditional sexy thing to be sexy, and I don’t think the traditional thing would be sexy when it comes to my partner.”
