Sharing a black and white photo of herself in a Victoria's Secret bra, Puerto Rican Sofía Jirau announced she has become a new type of angel – the first Victoria's Secret model with Down syndrome.
Jirau joins 17 others women in the company's new underwear line and campaign, Love Cloud Collection. The 24-year-old thanked Victoria's Secret for seeing her as a model "without limits" on her Instagram .
"One day I dreamed of it, I worked on it and today it is a dream come true. I can finally tell you my big secret," Jirau wrote on her Instagram in Spanish. "I am the first Victoria’s Secret model with Down syndrome!"
The Love Cloud Collection marks the first campaign under the new creative director, Raúl Martinez, who joined in January.
It also comes months after the company said goodbye to its signature "Angels" and rebranded with seven women including actress Priyanka Chopra Jonas and LGBTQ model and activist Valentina Sampaio, the first transgender model to be featured in the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue.
In 2020, Jirau's modeling career came to a high during her debut at New York Fashion Week and has launched an online store featuring clothing and accessories titled "Alavett." Jirau has been featured in People, Univision and Vogue Mexico.
“Love Cloud Collection is a major moment in the brand’s evolution. 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," Martinez said in a statement.
The underwear collection debuts in stores Thursday. Jirau said the campaign highlights 18 women who reject limits placed on them by others.
"On the inside and out, there are no limits," Jirau said on Instagram.
Models who make fashion more inclusive for everyone
Bikrdude on February 17th, 2022 at 21:50 UTC »
She's very cute and sounds like Sophia Vergara. Sow we know she is smart enough to speak at least two languages, twice the average for redditors.
runningdownhill on February 17th, 2022 at 20:57 UTC »
Mods this is a shit show. Your warning is going unnoticed and with no action behind it.
People are saying this is bad, she is being taken advantage of and more.
People, she is a person with just as much right as the next to do what she wants. When people get equality don't be the first to go against.
Be happy for her.
Edit: Go look at her Instagram. She has been doing this for years. She started by hiding her face with sunglasses and now she is open about doing what she loves like everyone else!
Be happy for people.
ThePartyLeader on February 17th, 2022 at 19:22 UTC »
Hope she is paid as well as the other models.