Transgender Figures Making Fashion History

Fashion is constantly evolving, and in recent years, that’s meant becoming a more inclusive space. While transgender figures like April Ashley and Tracey “Africa” Norman paved the way in the 20th century, now a number of trans models, designers, and activists are making waves in the fashion industry. In honor of Transgender Awareness Week, Magazine looks at today’s most influential Trans fashion figures.

Pierre Davis

LA-based Pierre Davis was the first Black trans designer to ever debut a collection at New York Fashion Week. With a well-deserved title, Davis made headlines for her inclusive brand No Sesso, which translates to “no sex/no gender.” With her avant-garde designs and creative vision, Davis focuses on celebrating the Black community and building an all-inclusive environment through fashion.

Teddy Quinlivan

After being discovered by Louis Vuitton designer Nicolas Ghesquière, Teddy Quinlivan became a high-profile model and advocate. After coming out in 2017, she became one of the influential models speaking out for trans advocacy and the #MeToo movement. A true trailblazer, Quinlivan became the first trans model to front a Chanel campaign last year.

Hunter Schafer

You may recognize Hunter Schafer from the runways of Marc Jacobs, Christian Dior, and Miu Miu, or, most notably, from HBO’s Euphoria. Before the 20-year-old became a model and actress, however, Schafer was always a trans activist. As a high schooler, Schafer protested for trans rights, even suing North Carolina over the bathroom bill, which requires people to use public restrooms according to the gender they were assigned at birth.

Indya Moore

Bronx-native Indya Moore was named one of Time’s most influential people in 2019, and for good reason. The nonbinary actor is outspoken about trans and gender-nonconforming representation and has made an impact in fashion and Hollywood. Before their role as Angel Evangelista on Pose, Moore modeled for Christian Dior and Gucci as a teenager, and more recently opened Jason Wu’s socially-distanced Spring/Summer 2021 show, kicking off this September’s virtual New York Fashion Week.

Gogo Graham

Brooklyn resident and designer Gogo Graham handmakes clothes for the trans community. Before creating her own Depop shop, Graham designed for J-Pop bands and LGBT icon RuPaul. Now, she creates garments for trans women that are made with different body types in mind, and donates proceeds from specific pieces from her shop to organizations like For the Gworls, which supports Black trans communities.