A transgender star was last night awarded Model of the Year at the British Fashion Awards in London – squeezing out five women who had been shortlisted for the accolade.
Alex Consani was given the title at a glittering ceremony in a category previously won by Kate Moss, Georgia May Jagger and Cara Delevingne.
The 21-year-old’s victory comes amid the BFC increasingly shortlisting a number of fashion names from LGBTQ and other ‘underrepresented’ groups for its awards.
Only last year, black trans model Kai-Isaiah Jamal, who came out as a trans man in 2014, narrowly missed out after being pipped at the post by plus-size model Paloma Elsesser.
Consani, who is 6ft, started modelling in 2015 and is known for having distinctive bleached hair and and eyebrows.
The California-born star wore a ripped Union Flag dress by Turkish-British designer Dilara Findikoglu during the award acceptance speech and used the opportunity to honour multiple black transgender women such as model Connie Fleming who ‘really fought for the space.. that allowed me to flourish today’.
The other fashion stars who had been nominated were British model Alva Claire, Los Angeles-born Amelia Gray, Anok Yai – from South Sudan, Liu Wen, from China and Mona Tougaard – born to Danish-Turkish and Somali-Ethiopian parents.
Yai voiced her support on social media following Consani’s victory after many fans had tipped her – the second black model after Naomi Campbell to open a Prada show – for the win.
Alex Consani is seen arriving at The Fashion Awards 2024. The 21-year-old’s victory comes amid the BFC increasingly shortlisting a number of fashion names from LGBTQ and other ‘underrepresented’ groups for its awards
Shortlisted (L-R): Mona Tougaard and Anok Yai. Tougaard was born to Danish-Turkish and Somali-Ethiopian parents and Yai is from South Sudan
Alex Consani was given the title at a glittering ceremony in a category previously won by Kate Moss , Georgia May Jagger and Cara Delevigne
The South Sudanese model said: ‘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 British Fashion Council (BFC) says the Model of the Year award ‘recognises the global impact of a model who over the last 12 months has dominated the industry’.
It added: ‘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.’
The council is perhaps best known for its bi-annual London Fashion Week held routinely each February and September.
It typically showcases the work of over 250 international designers and engages a worldwide audience.
Previously dubbed Britain’s answer to the Met Gala, the BFC’s Fashion Awards this year was a far cry from 2019 where glitzy A-listers lined up to attend the event.
Alongside models, the award also celebrates designers that take part in one of the BFC’s support initiatives which include Newgen, the Vogue and GQ Fashion Funds and the BFC Fashion Trust.
The Model of the Year winners’ speech saw Consani joke with the audience, adding: ‘I am the first trans model to win this award,’ after being presented with the accolade by model Ashley Graham and Baby Reindeer star Nava Mau.
Alex Consani poses backstage at The Fashion Awards 2024 presented by Pandora at Royal Albert Hall on December 2
Consani continued: ‘Now more than ever it’s an important conversation to be had, about how to support and uplift one another in this industry – especially those who have been made to feel insignificant.
‘Because change is more than possible, it’s needed, and this is a step in the right direction.’
Elsewhere Moncler CEO Remo Ruffini won the Trailblazer Award for contribution to the fashion industry.
Earlier in the evening, an animal rights demonstrator had stormed the red carpet to protest the fashion industry’s use of feathers.
It came just days after organisers of the event had announced it would become the first of the ‘big four’ fashion weeks to ban exotic animal skins on its runway.
Performances were given through the night by Blondie singer Debbie Harry and Afrobeats star Wizkid.
Among the notable attendees of the night were Rita Ora and Venus Williams, the former receiving much interest for her rather unusual choice of a sports punk inspired blonde mullet and oversized suit.
Ellie Goulding, Myleene Klass and Laura Whitmore were also deemed among the worst dressed of the night as they failed to impress with their huge white sleeping bag style coats and unusual black bodice gowns.
Rita Ora attends The Fashion Awards 2024. She received much interest for her rather unusual choice of a sports punk inspired blonde mullet and oversized suit
Ellie Goulding (L) lead the stars failing to impress with their looks as they hit the red carpet at the 2024 Fashion Awards in London on Monday evening. Meanwhile Laura Whitmore (R) also turned heads for all the wrong reasons
Elsewhere Myleene, 46, seemingly missed the dress coat all together for the swanky bash and turned up in skimpy white hot pants and a matching crop top
Performances were given through the night by Blondie singer Debbie Harry (pictured) and Afrobeats star Wizkid
News of the historic British Fashion Awards follows Consani also making history in October, becoming the first trans model along with Valentina Sampaio to appear on the runway at the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show.
The in-demand fashion star’s whirlwind career has most recently included walking in around 20 shows for the fall/winter 2024 fashion season, being courted by some of the most high-profile fashion houses and haute couture brands like Marc Jacobs and Mugler.
The BFC and a representative of Alex Consani have been contacted for comment.