“Girl, it always starts with an Instagram message,” says Alex Consani, hours before one of the British Fashion Council’s Models of the Year takes to the Fashion Awards red carpet in custom Dilara Findikoglu. Thank god for that DM. In a sea of predictable looks, it is Consani who stands out for doing her homework, taking a risk and bringing a sense of humour to a night that supposedly celebrates unbridled creativity. “I’ve been a fan of hers for a long time, so I just messaged her and I’m so blessed that she was able to make it work,” shares Alex of the custom white corseted dress, complete with Union Jack draping that throws back to Ginger Spice’s Brits mini, Kate Moss’s John Galliano jacket, and myriad other playful, patriotic style nods throughout history. For Consani, hers is simply “an iconic moment”.
It had to be A Look. The “gorgeous and stunning and fun and playful” piece puts the perfect full stop on a fast and furious year for Consani, who in 2024 became the first trans woman to front Teen Vogue and to walk the Victoria’s Secret show (with Valentina Sampaio), among plenty of other landmark industry achievements. “As a kid, I always hyped that up in my head and being able to do that in such a wholesome, safe environment was really a highlight,” she says of slipping on her wings alongside VS Angels Alessandra Ambrosio, Adriana Lima and Candice Swanepoel. “I think it’s a really big moment to celebrate every nominee, I’m really blessed and proud of everybody.”
Consani admits her MO for her first Fashion Awards was to just feel gorgeous. Really gorgeous. “This is an event where you want to make sure that you’re wearing the clothes and the clothes aren’t wearing you,” notes the 21-year-old California native, who swears by journalling to get in the zone. “It’s more about the feeling, because if you feel good, you’ll inevitably look good. I think the more you focus on just face masks and beauty routines, it becomes high stress and high stakes. I really just like to relax and pretend that I’m not doing anything important. Yesterday, I got sushi…”
Still @captincroook – the TikTok profile that shot Consani to fame during a bout of quarantine-induced boredom – surely has some quippy content in mind for her Royal Albert Hall debut. “You’ll see, girl, you’ll see…” she teases. “I know everybody went a little bit more chic, and I’m not saying this isn’t chic, but you’ll see…” I tell her I can’t wait. “Babe, I can’t wait to see what you’re wearing!” fires back the It-model, who, despite her stratospheric journey thus far, is sweet to the core. “I heard this party is the best party…”
While you can’t help but hope that the Fashion Awards lives up to Consani’s expectations, she’s already got one eye on tomorrow. “I want to do my best and feel my best and hopefully see more trans women like me, or similar to me in terms of identity, working in the same spaces that I am,” she asserts. “You’ve always got to think ahead.”
Editor
Alice NewboldCredit
Lead Image: @rowansouthern via Instagram
