In another step forward for trans visibility in the fashion and beauty space, Teddy Quinlivan just announced that she is the first openly transgender model to work for the house for Chanel.
Quinlivan, who came out publicly as trans in September 2017, revealed the news on Instagram with a photo and video of a Chanel Beauty advertisement. The campaign features a video of the model applying the French brand's Rouge Coco lipstick, as well as a closeup beauty shot of her face.
She shared in her caption that when she first made her trans identity public, she didn't think she'd ever work with some fashion brands ever again (she had walked two Chanel shows prior), calling this news a victory and a dream come true.
"My whole life has been a fight," she wrote. "From being bullied at school consistently, kids threatening to kill me and going into graphic detail how they were going to do it, my own father beating me and calling me a fagot, to receiving industry blowback after speaking publicly about being sexually assaulted on the job... This was a victory that made all of that shit worth it."
She continued, "I am the first openly trans person to work for the house of Chanel and I am deeply humbled and proud to represent my community."
The 5'11 model, who grew up in Boston, was discovered back in 2015 by Louis Vuitton women's artistic director Nicolas Ghesqiuere. Since then, she's fronted campaigns from numerous luxury brands including MSGM, Marc Jacobs Beauty, and Vera Wang. She's also walked shows for Dior, Giambattista Valli, and Maison Margiela.
Brazilian model Valentina Sampaio also made history when she announced a few weeks ago that she would be the first openly trans woman to be featured in a Victoria's Secret campaign. She had previously been the first trans model to cover an issue of Vogue Paris in 2017.
Photo via Instagram