Fashion Line's Runway Show With All Trans Models Makes History
A runway show at New York Fashion Week made history by featuring a lineup of exclusively transgender models.
Collection Seven, the latest from underwear brand Marco Marco, showed off its new line on Saturday, and for designer Marco Morante, the show was a chance to center trans people in an even bigger way than he has done in the past.
"Although I have always had trans and non binary people in my shows, it became apparent to me that their presence was often overshadowed by cis gay men or cis gay men in drag,” he told Mic. “I wanted to create a space to celebrate trans bodies. This was an opportunity for their presence to be undeniable and reinforce that trans is beautiful.”
The 34 models who walked for Marco Marco included Dominique Jackson and Angelica Ross, of Pose fame, and Trace Lysette, from Transparent. Gigi Gorgeous, Geena Rocero, Laith Ashley, Carmen Carrera, Aydian Dowling, and Arisce Wanzer were also among the famous names showing off the collection.
"Marco has always had a diverse runway, and to have an all trans show, with individuals of all different ages, sizes, backgrounds, colors and identities within the trans umbrella was spectacular," said Ashley.
"I’m too thick for industry standards and not thick enough for plus size. It was nice to be on a runway where none of that mattered and I could let my hourglass be what it is and be confident that the fashion industry is waking up to the many different body types, shades and experiences of this thing we call beauty," added Lysette.
Watch video of the models walking the runway below.