In the age of YouTubers and Influencers, minorities finally have a space to push their identities into the spotlight; to celebrate what makes them different, and spread awareness of the difficulties that they face. The fashion industry is finally starting to wake up to the benefits that diversity brings, and this is paving the way for a whole new generation of talent that has previously been shunned into the background.

It seems as if the world is having negative news and content regarding trans people shoved down their throats on a daily basis. From Trump’s ban on trans troops in the military to the whole Victoria’s Secret debacle last year in which Chief Directing Officer, Ed Razek said he didn’t think they should cast transgender models in their show because they can’t sell the fantasy element as well as cis models.

Stories like these are constantly overshadowing the brilliance of trans talent that exists across all industries, especially in fashion. In response to this, today I’m putting the spotlight to four trans talents that deserve much more attention, because it’s about time that trans people take their rightful place in the spotlight.

Emma Ellingsen

Emma Ellingsen is the 17-year-old that people have dubbed ‘Norway’s rising Kendall Jenner’ with over 250,000 followers/subscribers on Instagram and YouTube, it’s obvious that she’s adored in the same way as most of this generation’s Instagram it-girls.

She took a different turn from her regular YouTube videos last year as she posted her first English video, a simple Q&A entitled ‘I’m Transgender’ which took social media by storm, and pushed her even further into the international public eye.

She is currently taking a year out of school to focus on pushing her career, after signing to Heartbreak Management last summer she’s also set to star in a Norwegian TV Series, Generation Z.

Chella Man

20-year-old Chella Man is right at the forefront of championing for trans and disability rights. An Asian-American, deaf, Jewish and trans person, he’s proud of his identity and uses platforms such as YouTube and Instagram to talk about the problems and difficulties he’s faced, as well as taking viewers on the journey of his transition with him. He regularly films testosterone shots and talks about his gender dysphoria.

He signed to IMG Models in 2018, and has featured in campaigns for GAP and Adwoa Aboah’s ‘Gurls Talk’ merch, as well as walking for ASOS at New York Fashion Week. Alongside modelling, Chella is an artist and student studying virtual reality programming. He’s multi-talented, and the face of a movement that has diversity at it’s heart.

Aaron Philip

Aaron Philip is a complete badass, she doesn’t want you to follow her as a soft, princess-esque activist that makes you feel woke, she wants you to follow her for the complete looks she serves on a daily basis. If you’re a follower of hers it’s expected that you big her up, and push her forward on the journey towards becoming the A-list supermodel she’s destined to be.

In July last year, she became the first disabled trans woman of colour to be signed to Elite Model Management, and since then she hasn’t stopped, moving from photoshoot to championing inclusivity on the runway, she truly is the future of fashion, and we urge you to watch her space.

Laith Ashley

Model Laith Ashley came out back in November 2013, and started his medical transition the following year. After a picture of him in CK briefs led to an outpouring of transphobia on his Instagram, he almost gave up, then after actress Laverne Cox posted, that outpouring turned into one of love, and positivity.

He is seen as a poster boy for trans-masculinity, and recently spoke openly with GQ about the difficulties he faces as a male person of colour, that differs from issues he faced pre-transition. Laith’s story of the difficulties faced by trans men is one that is very rarely spoken about, and Laith is opening up new conversations.

Since his career really took off he has walked at New York Fashion Week, been featured in GQ, and appeared on the cover of Gay Times and Attitude.

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The line between fashion and art has officially blurred into oblivion after New York Fashion Week. The most important week in NYC erupted with applause and adoration after the House of Velour took the opening ceremonies to a whole new level.

The spectacular Sasha Velour and her court of queens put on a cabaret composed entirely of LGBTQIA+ individuals. From the heights of glamour to the most minimal, models and queens brought their own unique identity to the runway. Velour has been a loud and proud supporter to the New York community that has shaped her. “My drag was born in a community full of trans women, trans men, and gender non-conforming folks doing drag. That’s the real world of drag, like it or not. I think it’s fabulous and I will fight my entire life to protect and uplift it.” From her monthly cabaret show “Nightgowns” to winning season 9 of RuPaul’s Drag Race, she has strived to create a platform for queens and queers to express themselves.

Sasha wasn’t the only queen strutting her stuff for Fashion Week. The surreal artist Hungry and Patrick Starr both walked in the over-the-top The Blonds show. You couldn’t find two totally different people walking on the same runway. Patrick Starr’s fierce femininity and voluptuous figure couldn’t do Ursula the Sea Witch more justice, while Hungry’s otherworldly makeup and haunting beauty brought us chills. To top it off Dominique T.A.R Jackson absolutely SERVED us Maleficent realness.

The Marco Marco show featured an all-trans cast of models, the first NYFW show to do so.“It became apparent to me that trans and non-binary people’s presence was often overshadowed by cis gay men or cis gay men in drag. I wanted to create a space to celebrate trans bodies.” Marco Marco has taken inspiration from the LGBTQA+ community and featured queer icons such as Sasha Velour and Dominique T.A.R Jackson.

It seemed as though one of the most major fashion queens was missing from the front rows of NYFW. The one and only Violet Chachki was far to busy on tour to grace New York with her presence. She did, however, make a splash at Milan Fashion week at the Marni show in her signature raven hair paired with a sleek green PVC coat. After being a staple of the NYC fashion scene, she’s spread her wings to fashion weeks all over the globe. We’re excited to see where she lands next.

What can we say, it’s an epidemic! The queens and queers are taking over to make the world a more strange and spectacular place. Representation of all walks of life is needed now more than ever, especially in fashion. If NYFW was a taste of what’s to come, we at Voir are ready to be served a full course.

Thank you for engaging with Voir Fashion Digital.

It is important that we communicate a unique brand of fashion, beauty, trends and lifestyle to you on a regular basis, all we ask is that you share our content, and subscribe to receive even more exciting updates and competitions directly to your inbox.

The post Queens of New York: Fashion Week’s Takeover appeared first on Voir Fashion.