Sonoma County’s Alex Consani made history as the first transgender woman to be awarded the title of Model of the Year at the annual Fashion Awards in London.
The 21-year-old Petaluma High School alumna, known widely on social media for her comedic videos that showcase her personality, received the golden trophy during a ceremony at London’s Royal Albert Hall earlier this week.
“I can’t accept this award without thanking those who came before me, specifically the Black trans women who really fought for the space I’m in today,” she said on Monday, Dec. 2, wearing a strapless cream mini dress interwoven with the British flag created by Turkish-British designer Dilara Findikoglu.
She added that fellow transgender models Dominique Jackson, Connie Fleming and Aaron Rose Philip were some of the many “who fought for the space that allowed me to flourish.”
Others who have received the annual award include Kate Moss, Bella Hadid and Cara Delevingne .
San Francisco modeling agency Look helped Consani get signed to IMG Models at 16 years old in 2019. She has since walked the runway for Chanel, Stella McCartney, Victoria’s Secret and more.
Consani rose to prominence on social media at the start of the pandemic for her witty sense of humor, and now counts more than 4 million followers on TikTok.
“Started from the bottom now we’re here,” she jokingly sang during an interview with Dazed magazine following her win. “I’m gagged.”
The influencer was even an inspiration for British pop singer Charli XCX’s “Brat” album, making an appearance in the music video for one of the record’s singles, “360,” among a handful of other internet “it girls,” including fellow Bay Area native Emma Chamberlain, Italian American model Julia Fox, Philadelphia-born model and actress Hari Nef.
