Puerto Rican model Sofia Jirau, Victoria's Secret's first Down's Syndrome model
A model has made history by becoming the first person with Downs' Syndrome to ever pose for Victoria’s Secret.
Puerto Rican model and activist Sofia Jirau, 25, announced she is taking part in the campaign for the American lingerie brand's new Love Cloud collection of comfortable everyday underwear.
She captured the fashion industry's attention when she made her catwalk debut at New York Fashion Week in February 2020, and her career has been building momentum throughout the pandemic.
Sofia, who also founded her brand, Alavett, said posing for Victoria's Secret is a 'dream come true, but online commenters have admitted to feeling 'mixed emotions' over the campaign and raised concerns over sexualising an individual with Down's syndrome.
The Love Cloud is a new initiative for the lingerie brand. It has been trying to claw back credibility with a string of industries such as its first mastectomy bra, racially diverse models promoting underwear in different skin tones, and hiring transgender beauty Valentina Sampaio. After being criticised for its lack of diversity.
TV star Jameela Jamil once brandied it a 'transphobic, fatphobic company that sets out to exclude most women'. At the same time, declining sales figures, shop closures and the cancelling of its high-profile catwalk showcase have added to the company's woes in recent years.
Celebrating the news of her campaign today on Instagram, Sofia said: 'One day I dreamed of it, I worked on it, and today it is a dream come true. I can finally tell you my big secret… I am the first Victoria's Secret model with Down syndrome.'
Sharing a black and white picture of her modelling the brand's bra, she continued: 'Thanks to all of you for always supporting me in my projects. Thanks to @victoriassecret for seeing me as a #NoLimits model and making me part of the Love Cloud Collection inclusion campaign. This is just the beginning, and now it's formed.'
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