TikTok personality Emira D’Spain makes history on the second day of Black History Month by becoming the first Black transgender model to work with Victoria’s Secret.
“My entire platform is built on confidence and self-love,” the 25-year-old influencer said in a statement to the NY Post. I want to empower young trans women and men around the world to show them that the beauty and fashion industries are changing. Especially if you are a person of color. I am so grateful to work with Victoria’s Secret and hope this paves the way for others after me.”
D’Spain joined forces with Victoria’s Secret to create a “Single Girl’s Guide to the Perfect Valentine’s Day,” a how-to video for people spending the holiday on their own.
“The best love is self love!” the history-making model captioned the video.
“I don’t need a man to buy me flowers,” D’Spain she says in the clip. “Valentine’s Day may be about love, but it also includes loving yourself.”
The hiring is seemingly a part of the brand’s efforts to be more inclusive.
Last year, Victoria’s underwent a major revamp with the launch of The VS Collective. After doing away with its “Angel” models, the brand recruited Priyanka Chopra Jonas, transgender Brazilian model Valentina Sampaio, LGBTQIA+ activist and professional soccer player Megan Rapinoe to be the new faces of the lingerie line. Sampaio made history as the first transgender woman ever to work with Victoria’s Secret.
“With The VS Collective, we are creating a platform that will build new, deeper relationships with all women,” said Victoria’s Secret Chief Marketing Officer Martha Pease in a statement at the time.
She continued, “Through a series of collaborations, business partnerships and cause-related initiatives, we’re bringing new dimensions to our brand experience. In marrying our new partners’ energy, creativity and perspectives with our network and scale, we can transform how we connect with and show up for women.”
