Model Sofia Jirau makes history
24-year-old Sofia Jirau has made history after becoming the first model with Down syndrome to pose for Victoria’s Secret.
Coming from Puerto Rico, she joins the fashion giant's roster as part of its inclusion campaign, the Love Cloud collection.
"One day I dreamed it, I worked for it and today it's a dream come true. I can finally tell you my big secret,” an English translation of Sofia's post to her almost 200,000 Instagram followers said.
“I am Victoria Secret's first model with Down syndrome.”
The model and activist shared a snippet of the campaign video to her social media with an inspiring message.
“We are 18 women who know no boundaries,” she wrote.
“Thank you for seeing me as a model and making me part of the Love Cloud Collection inclusion campaign,” she wrote.
“This is just the beginning, now it’s formed. Inside and out there are no limited.”
The brand's Love Cloud Collection includes women of different sizes and backgrounds.
It marks a major departure for the brand best known for its supermodel "Angels" and fashion show.
In the show's 24-year history it has seen the likes of Heidi Klum, Naomi Campbell, Helena Christensen, Tyra Banks, Kendall Jenner, Gigi and Bella Hadid walk the runway as Angels and models. Miranda Kerr, Georgia Fowler and Shanina Shaik were among the Aussies who also walked the pink runway.
Yet, after scrapping the iconic runway show in 2019, Victoria's Secret has progressed with a revamp of its image.
"Love Cloud Collection is a major moment in the brand's evolution," Victoria's Secret head creative director Raúl Martinez said in a statement.
"From the cast of incredible women that bring the collection to life, to the incredible inclusive spirit on set, this campaign is an important part of the new Victoria's Secret standard we are creating."
Image: Instagram