After a six-year hiatus, the Victoria’s Secret Fashion show has returned to television. Model and mogul Tyra Banks blessed the runway with her iconic walk and was joined by the rest of the model cast who would go on to participate in the show. First televised in 2001, the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show was formerly one of the most anticipated specials on television. However, a viewership of 9.7 million in 2013 took a turn downward to 3.3 million over the next five years.
In 2018, the company’s chief marketing officer Ed Razek made a comment about how the fashion show would never include “transsexuals” or plus-size models. Three years would pass before the company found themselves on a rebrand journey through a range of campaigns that centered inclusion and celebration. In this year’s show, three transgender models participated, one of them being a Black influencer and business owner. Here is Victoria’s Secret first Black transgender model Emira D’Spain.
Who Is Emira D’Spain?
D’Spain, whose career includes being the former beauty director at Paper magazine, was featured in Galore and Nylon. Born in the United Arab Emirates, the Emirati started a partnership with Victoria’s Secret in 2022. She also had previous collaborations with NARS Cosmetics, Covergirl, Sony, Mugler and Rihanna’s Savage X Fenty. The latter brand’s inclusive fashion show made headlines and was immediately compared to Victoria’s Secret. Now, she’s one of the lead beauty content creators on TikTok with a #GetReadyWithMe series that has garnered 37.6 million Likes.
Emira D’Spain Documented Her Gender Confirming Surgery
A client of United Talent, Next and Who’s Next, D’Spain is not only a beauty icon. She is also a champion of transparency. D’Spain shared via TikTok her journey of gender confirmation. It was a decision that she vacillated about for some time before sharing it with followers. However, she was put at ease by the congratulatory and celebratory comments that flooded her feed. Reactions from followers affirmed that she could include them more often in the daily happenings of her life.
D’Spain shared that one of her goals is to encourage other trans people to be their full selves. She recalled watching the Victoria’s Secret fashion show as a kid and wanting to one day be on the runway. Now, having attended the show, she is hopeful about her runway dreams coming true.
What’s Next for Victoria’s Secret’s First Black Transgender Model?
In addition to attending the fashion show dressed in the brand’s fitted black satin mini dress with lace, D’Spain also interviewed Ashley Graham and Adriana Lima. She shared those moments with her 1.3 million TikTok followers. The next steps of her partnership with Victoria’s Secret are unknown, but the brand is continuing to represent all women. In the meantime, D’Spain has a host of collaborations and posts about her love for modeling, fashion, beauty and travel.