Lea T graces the December cover of Brazilian Elle. So what? She’s been on Oprah and snobbish magazines like LOVE. However, transgender models like her, rarely make it onto mainstream fashion publications, let alone the runway.
Photographed by Fábio Bartelt, the Brazilian model wears a jacket and skirt from Givenchy’s 2012 resort collection.
Born Leandro Cerezo, Lea T is a favorite of Givenchy’s Riccardo Tisci.
According to a Vanity Fair interview, Lea T said she has had hormone treatment. She told Brazilian celebrity news magazine Quem that she was to undergo surgery last March. It’s not confirmed if the transformation is complete.
Featuring a transgender model on a Brazilian mainstream magazine is symbolic of the South American country’s diversity.
Though U.S. Elle tries to feature women from all shapes and sizes, as seen from cover girls Gabourey Sidibe to Kate Moss, Elle creative director Joe Zee unintentionally filters out diversity after considering the success factor.
According to AOL’s ‘Naughty But Nice Rob,’ Zee said he carefully makes sure the women have made some kind of impact on society.
“I don’t know about Snooki,” the creative director said when asked if reality stars would ever grace his coveted cover. “I’m going to have to pass on that one.”
Zee said that he has nothing against reality stars, as he’s featured those like Lauren Conrad. Kim Kardashian, however, needs to have a bit more going on in her life to be feature-worthy.
In high fashion, the Russians, the gap-toothed and the androgynous have been some of the industry’s specialties. Another model with an androgynous look à la Lea T is Andrej PejiÄc (below). Though he isn’t transsexual, who knows where both androgyny and transgenderism are taking fashion.
There may not be equal representation in the world of fashion, but beauty is being opened up to many interpretations. As fast as the industry moves, it’ll still take some time to accept the unexpected.
Out Magazine