Designer Marco Marco’s show at Style Fashion Week New York this weekend featured only transgender models.
While transgender models have worked high-profile gigs like this one in the past, this show was notable because there were no cisgender models.
“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,” Marco Morante said.
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The news you care about, reported on by the people who care about you.“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.”
34 models walked the runway in Marco Marco’s show. YouTube star Gigi Gorgeous appeared in a metallic skirt and shiny pumps.
Related: Handsome transgender model takes Instagram by storm
Actress Trace Lysette, known for her work on Transparent, also appeared in the show.
“At 36-26-40 I’ve never been model industry standard, and I don’t want to be,” she tweeted. “I love my thickness.”
Photographer Andrew Werner posted shots of the men to Instagram. Fans of RuPaul’s Drag Race will notice Laith Ashley, a member of the Pit Crew, in this photo.
Trans activist and founder of Gender Proud Geena Rocero opened the show.
“There’s an ongoing needed conversation of inclusion in the past fashion seasons that borderlines on tokenism,” she said. “But the real tea is that being trans is not a trend; it is life, beauty and power.”
Actress Laverne Cox attended the show.
“When I started #TransIsBeautiful 3 years ago I wanted it to be a way for trans folks to celebrate what makes us uniquely and beautifully trans,” she posted on Instagram.
“The #marcomarcoshow last night which featured a cast or all trans models feels like yet another fulfillment of the empowerment of trans beauty this hashtag is meant to celebrate and engender.”
