Andreja Pejić is the first trans model to land a cosmetics deal

This exciting news comes on the tails of trans model Leah T, Givenchy’s muse, landing a Redken hair ad this past fall, and 14-year old Jazz Jennings, trans YouTube sensation, being tapped as the face of Clean & Clear facewash — perhaps declaring a necessary change is afoot.

Pejić, who underwent gender affirmation surgery just last year, had been cast as an androgynous model for the larger part of her career, walking for the likes of Jean Paul Gaultier, Marc Jacobs, Jeremy Scott, and Thom Browne. But the Bosnian-born stunner tells Vogue she decided to make the full transition despite detractors telling her the surgery would stymie her career; according to Pejić, the model wanted to prove she was “no gimmick.” As her former male modeling agent, Gene Kogan of DNA Model Management explains in the Vogue profile,

“She has done what no other model has ever been able to: toe the line between male and female successfully for a long time. Andreja had an extraordinary career as a male model, often modeling female clothes; she pulled it off. It opened a lot of eyes and made people see things from a new perspective. We’re going to see her influence for years to come.”

Without a doubt, Pejić’s momentous appointment chips away at static and rigid stereotypes surrounding gender, beauty, sexuality in the fashion world, and certainly culture at large.

Image via Vogue.

Marjon Carlos is a style and culture writer for Fusion who boasts a strong turtleneck game and opinions on the subjects of fashion, gender, race, pop culture, and men’s footwear.