Trailblazers: Transgender Women Transforming the Beauty Industry
Meet the extraordinary transgender women breaking barriers and redefining beauty with major industry contracts and powerful stories.
The landscape of beauty has undergone a profound evolution in the past decade, with the emergence of transgender women as leading faces in major beauty campaigns. These pioneers have not only made history with their contracts and collaborations but also challenged industry norms, fostered greater inclusivity, and inspired millions by sharing their journeys. This article spotlights the remarkable women at the forefront of this revolution.
The Impact of Transgender Representation in Beauty
For decades, beauty advertising largely excluded transgender individuals, favoring a rigid definition of femininity. However, as conversations around identity and visibility gained momentum, transgender women began entering the spotlight—signing contracts with prestigious brands, headlining campaigns, and becoming role models for gender-diverse youth.
- Authenticity and Visibility: These icons bring lived experiences that resonate widely, expanding what is considered beautiful.
- Social Progress: Corporate partnerships with transgender models signal shifts in values and open doors for more marginalized talent.
- Inspiration: Their presence in high-profile ads provides hope and visibility to trans youth and the broader LGBTQ+ community.
Meet the Trailblazers
Below, we shine a light on four exceptional transgender women who have broken boundaries in the beauty industry, each achieving a “first” and inspiring countless others to walk in their footsteps.
1. Andreja Pejić: Pioneering Gender Diversity on Global Catwalks
After years of modeling both men’s and women’s fashion as an androgynous male model, Andreja Pejić embarked on her transition in early 2014. Her career had already been marked by challenging gender conventions, but her decision to live openly as a woman transformed her trajectory and the face of the industry.
- In April 2015, Andreja became the first transgender model to land a major makeup campaign when she signed with Make Up For Ever, a global beauty brand.
- Her trailblazing journey was further honored in May 2015, when she became the first transgender model to be featured in Vogue, solidifying her mark on fashion history.
Pejić has openly discussed her experiences navigating the fashion world, initially walking for men’s, then women’s, then both—even before her transition. She credits her visibility as an empowering force for those questioning traditional gender roles in beauty and fashion.
2. Jazz Jennings: Redefining Youth and Beauty
Jazz Jennings has been a vocal advocate for transgender youth since childhood. Showing signs of gender dysphoria as early as age two, she began her transition with the support of her family, ultimately becoming a well-known public figure through her television series and activism.
- In March 2015, at just 14 years old, Jennings became the first transgender teen to serve as the face of a national skincare campaign when she joined Clean & Clear’s #SeeTheRealMe initiative.
- Her powerful message in the campaign—”I was a girl trapped in a boy’s body”—served as a beacon for authenticity and self-acceptance.
- In 2014, she was recognized by TIME as one of the 25 Most Influential Teens.
What others are reading
Jennings’s voice has been pivotal in uplifting young transgender people, and her campaign work has challenged mainstream narratives about who can represent a brand or speak about personal care and beauty.
3. Lea T: Charting a Course as a Muse and Model
Lea T began her career as a muse for Givenchy and quickly rose to international acclaim for her high-fashion presence. After her gender-affirming surgery in March 2012, her story became even more impactful, aligning her personal transformation with professional success.
- In November 2014, Lea made history as the first transgender woman to represent the haircare brand Redken and its Chromatics color line.
- She became a symbol of evolution—not just in fashion and haircare, but in the way beauty brands engage with broader definitions of femininity.
Her campaigns with Redken set a precedent for future collaborations and helped normalize the presence of transgender women in high-profile advertising and sponsorships.
4. Gigi Gorgeous: From YouTube Sensation to Major Brand Collaborator
Gigi Gorgeous—YouTube celebrity and beauty vlogger—documented every step of her transition online, garnering a dedicated following and using her platform to educate and inspire. With over a million subscribers by 2014, she emerged as a social media powerhouse and LGBTQ+ advocate.
- In December 2014, Gigi joined Too Faced’s “Lipstick Mafia,” marking a significant milestone as she partnered with a mainstream cosmetics company.
- Her influence goes beyond brand collaboration: Gigi has spoken on panels worldwide, worked with organizations like GLAAD and LA LGBT Center, and released a feature documentary about her transition and activism.
Gigi Gorgeous’s presence in both new media and traditional campaigns signals a new era of beauty marketing—one that values transparency, transformation, and personal storytelling.
A Closer Look: Major Campaigns and Their Significance
The contracts signed by these women with renowned beauty companies are about more than marketing—they represent tangible shifts in representation, culture, and business strategy.
| Name | Year of Major Beauty Contract | Brand/Company | Milestone Accomplished |
|---|---|---|---|
| Andreja Pejić | 2015 | Make Up For Ever | First transgender model to headline a major makeup campaign |
| Jazz Jennings | 2015 | Clean & Clear | First transgender teen face of a nationwide skincare campaign |
| Lea T | 2014 | Redken Chromatics | First transgender woman as major haircare brand ambassador |
| Gigi Gorgeous | 2014 | Too Faced | Major cosmetics contract for a trans beauty vlogger |
Why These Contracts Matter
The inclusion of transgender women in high-profile beauty contracts is an indicator of broader social change. It demonstrates an industry intent on embracing real diversity and shows brands heed the call for more representative, authentic advertising.
- Industry Influence: These women paved the way for a new generation of models and influencers, convincing brands to look beyond traditional casting norms.
- Cultural Relevance: Beauty campaigns now better reflect the diverse audiences they serve, allowing more people to see themselves in media.
- Empowerment: Large-scale representation provides validation, especially to those facing marginalization or erasure outside these spaces.
Wider Context: Pushing for Lasting Change
These milestones, while significant, are just the beginning. The challenges transgender women face—in fashion, beauty, and beyond—remain formidable. Barriers include limited opportunities, tokenism, and persistent biases. Still, each headline contract and visible campaign creates ripples of change throughout the industry.
- High-profile covers—like Laverne Cox’s trailblazing turn for Cosmopolitan South Africa and Munroe Bergdorf’s historic Cosmopolitan UK appearance—further amplify trans voices in beauty media.
- Activism and advocacy by trans women challenge brands to back up their diversity statements with real support, scholarships, and casting initiatives.
- Social media has become an essential tool for holding brands accountable and amplifying underrepresented voices, including emerging trans models and creators worldwide.
Looking Forward: The Future of Inclusive Beauty
As consumer expectations shift and calls for meaningful representation grow louder, the beauty industry continues to adapt. The history made by Andreja, Jazz, Lea, and Gigi is paving the way for new talent, with more transgender women landing notable contracts, hosting major campaigns, and even founding their own beauty lines.
- Mentorship programs and open calls are encouraging broader participation and breaking down access barriers.
- Brand collaborations now increasingly feature trans women at all stages of creative production—not just as models, but as directors, consultants, and product designers.
- There is a stronger push for intersectional representation, ensuring inclusivity spans race, ethnicity, body type, and economic background alongside gender identity.
These changes indicate a future where beauty better reflects society’s full spectrum—and where everyone has the chance to feel seen, supported, and celebrated.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q: Who was the first transgender woman to sign a major beauty contract?
A: Andreja Pejić made history as the first transgender model to land a major makeup campaign when she signed with Make Up For Ever in 2015.
Q: Why is transgender representation important in the beauty industry?
A: It expands cultural definitions of beauty, provides much-needed visibility to marginalized communities, and inspires individuals questioning traditional gender norms.
Q: How have beauty brands supported transgender models?
A: Brands like Make Up For Ever, Clean & Clear, Redken, and Too Faced have signed trans talent as campaign ambassadors, supported inclusive marketing, and fostered partnerships with activists.
Q: What impact has social media had on transgender representation in beauty?
A: Social media has enabled trans women like Gigi Gorgeous to share their stories, build followings, and attract brand deals, helping democratize access to the industry.
Q: Who continues to lead the movement for trans inclusivity in beauty today?
A: Alongside the pioneers featured here, new voices—including Munroe Bergdorf and Laverne Cox—are making headlines and inspiring further advances in beauty and beyond.
Conclusion: Celebrating Courage and Progress
The presence and success of transgender women in beauty campaigns have forever altered the industry’s approach to gender, identity, and inclusion. As the stories of Andreja Pejić, Jazz Jennings, Lea T, and Gigi Gorgeous illustrate, representation matters—and will continue to influence and inspire generations to come.
References
- https://www.etonline.com/laverne-cox-slays-as-cosmopolitans-first-ever-transgender-cover-star-94846
- https://www.cosmopolitan.com/style-beauty/beauty/news/a40117/transgender-women-with-beauty-contracts/
- https://www.the-independent.com/life-style/women/munroe-bergdorf-cosmopolitan-uk-cover-b1993064.html
- https://www.imdb.com/list/ls072599514/
- https://www.cosmopolitan.com/lifestyle/a63536347/trans-and-dating-coming-out/
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_transgender_history
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