Sofía Jiraui is making history as Victoria Secret's first model with Down syndrome.
The 24-year is also second Puerto Rican model featured in a Victoria’s Secret campaign, TODAY notes. She shares the spotlight with supermodel Joan Smalls.
Jiraui joins a group of 17 other women in launching the recent rollout of the “Love Cloud Collection,” a collection of bras and underwear with the idea of "all-day comfort" in mind. It is available in stores and online starting Thursday.
The campaign features a group of diverse models to reflect the company's new "commitment to welcoming and celebrating all women," the press release noted.
Jirau was understandably elated in her Instagram post about the historic accomplishment.
“One day I dreamed of it, I worked on it and today it is a dream come true," she captioned the post in Spanish. "I can finally tell you my big secret. I am the first Victoria’s Secret model with Down syndrome!”
Jirau started her modeling career in 2019 along with her own online store “Alavett,” the name of which is bilingual play on her favorite phrase “I love it.”
She’s already checked off another dream when she debuted at New York Fashion Week in 2020.
"...I am proud as one of the few models with Down syndrome who has managed to participate in the important fashion event,” she said on her personal website.
Her modeling success has led to further launching her own Spanish-language campaign, called No Limits, that hopes to prove how those with Down syndrome can achieve their goals.
Of her latest modeling feat, Jirau expressed deep appreciation to the iconic lingerie brand in her post: “Thank you Victoria’s Secret for seeing me as a model who has #NoLimits and making me part of the inclusive Love Cloud Collection campaign. Inside and out, there are no limits, Alavett!”
In another first, the “Love Cloud Collection” is the company’s first full-scale collection launched since Raúl Martinez came on as the company's new head creative director.
In a company statement, Martinez declared, “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,”
Related
Jirau’s involvement also ties in with the brand’s ongoing attempt to separate itself from its problematic past of highlighting only certain body types, via Victoria’s Secret “angels.”
LISTEN on the Audacy App
Sign up and follow Audacy
Facebook | Twitter | Instagram