Alex Consani Wins Model of the Year, Thanks Trans Models Who Came Before Her

Alex Consani, a transgender woman, won Model of the Year at the 2024 Fashion Awards on Monday in London.
In her acceptance speech, Consani said she was the first trans woman to win before thanking the trans models who came before her, “specifically the Black trans women who fought for the space” like Dominique Jackson, Connie Fleming, Aaron Rose Philip and “countless more.”
“You fought for this space that allowed me to flourish today, and I’m eternally grateful for that,” Consani said.
Consani also thanked her parents, who supported her when she told them she wanted to become a model at age 12.
“Change is more than possible,” Consani said. “It’s needed. And this is a big step in the right direction.”
The Model of the Year goes to the model who has “dominated the industry,” according to the British Fashion Council. “With an influence that transcends the catwalk, the Model of The Year has made an outstanding contribution to the industry, garnering numerous editorial and advertising campaigns throughout the year.”
Bella Hadid, Kaia Gerber, Naomi Campbell and Cara Delevingne have been honored with the Model of the Year title in the past.
Consani, who has 4 million followers on TikTok, was one of the first trans models to walk the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show runway and has also walked the runways for Chanel and Stella McCartney. She appeared in the music videos for JT’s “Okay” and for Charli XCX’s “360.”
Anok Yai was also up for the award Monday night, and when the model lost out on the honor for the second year in a row, she expressed her frustrations online.
Other news outlets have retreated behind paywalls. At HuffPost, we believe journalism should be free for everyone.
Would you help us provide essential information to our readers during this critical time? We can’t do it without you.
Can’t afford to contribute? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
You’ve supported HuffPost before, and we’ll be honest — we could use your help again. We view our mission to provide free, fair news as critically important in this crucial moment, and we can’t do it without you.
Whether you give once or many more times, we appreciate your contribution to keeping our journalism free for all.
You’ve supported HuffPost before, and we’ll be honest — we could use your help again. We view our mission to provide free, fair news as critically important in this crucial moment, and we can’t do it without you.
Whether you give just one more time or sign up again to contribute regularly, we appreciate you playing a part in keeping our journalism free for all.
Already contributed? Log in to hide these messages.
“Alex, I love you and I’m so proud of you,” Yai wrote on X, adding, “British Fashion Council, thank you but I don’t want it anymore.”
She continued: “If you have seen the effort that I’ve seen Alex put in; you would understand how proud I am of her. But Alex can be proud and I can be exhausted at the same time. It doesn’t take away how much love we have for each other.”
The Fashion Awards did not immediately respond to a request for comment.