Meet Victoria's Secret First Model With Down Syndrome

Introduction

Sofia Isabel Jirau González was born in 1996 to Mimi Gonzalez and Frankie Jirau in Puerto Rico. She is the second oldest of four children in the family. She was born with Down Syndrome, a genetic disease characterized by improper cell division and the accumulation of extra genetic material from chromosome 21.

Down Syndrome is commonly associated with a particular facial appearance as well as other developmental disabilities. However, Sofia's determination to pursue her ambitions was unaffected. Sofia decided she wanted to be a model and company entrepreneur when she was five years old. And that is exactly what she has done today!

Many people abandon their artistic ambitions for fear of failure, but Sofia Jirau is an exception. This Puerto Rican teenager is now a well-known model and a successful businesswoman who has pursued her aspirations with diligence and determination.

Professional Life of Sofia Jiaru

Sofia landed her first modeling gig at Wanda Beauchamp's design show in 2012. Her "professional" modeling career, however, began on March 26, 2019, when she turned 23. She later modeled for prestigious fashion houses throughout her twenties.

She made her New York Fashion Week debut in the Marisa Santiago show in February 2020. Numerous prominent media sites, including Vogue Mexico, People, and Univision, covered the event. This experience greatly aided her modeling career growth.

Sofia Jirau reportedly revealed in February 2022 that she has been endorsed as Victoria's Secret's first Down Syndrome Model. She also posted about it on her Instagram account. “I used to dream of it, and now my dream has come true after working for it. Finally, I can reveal my big secret to you,” Sofia wrote. “I am the first model with Down Syndrome to work for Victoria’s Secret.”

Sofia's Success Story with Victoria’s Secret as a Down Syndrome Model

Victoria's Secret's newest ad, "Love Cloud," brings individuals from many backgrounds together under one umbrella. Sofia was astounded and overjoyed when she received a call from Victoria's Secret to appear in this ad. She went to Los Angeles to promote the new clothing collection with Miriam Blanco, a young lady in a wheelchair, Jailyn Matthews, a fitness teacher, and Celilo Miles, an Idaho fireman, among others.

The model expressed her appreciation to Victoria's Secret for including her in the program to promote diversity; she is just the second Puerto Rican model to work with the company. Thus demonstrating to the world that "inside and out, there are no limits!"

Adut Akesh, Hailey Baldwin, and Valentina Sampaio all appear in the ad. Ral Martinez, the creative director, noted that these advertisements reflect the brand's progress as it becomes more welcoming of the wonderful men and women that bring the collections to life. The firm also intends to retire its long-standing "Angel" designation, since it does not match the story of accommodating an ever-growing community of brilliant individuals united by a similar purpose to promote good change.

While Sofia enjoys her accomplishment, she remarked that this experience has altered her life and that she can motivate and appreciate others to follow their dreams in the same way. Since her debut at New York Fashion Week in 2020, Victoria's Secret has been her most notable achievement. She, on the other hand, feels that this is only the beginning. Her next goal is to work as a model in Paris and Italy.

Sofia's Own Accessories Brand – Alavett

INprense, a Puerto Rican company that promotes entrepreneurship in a number of disciplines via training and innovative thinking, engaged Sofia as an experienced ambassador. Sofia received assistance from the company in developing her brand, "Alavett," which is based on her favorite word, "I love it." Sofia's own design is featured on everyday goods such as coffee cups, phone covers, T-shirts, and pillows. "Alavett is my cry of joy to this world," she says, as she pursues her business passion through her enterprise.

Aside from her business and modeling pursuits, Sofa Jirau has also created the "Sin Limites" (No Limits) campaign to raise awareness of Down Syndrome and its community. The drive is available at unlimited. On this website, Sofia dispels myths about the illness, recounts the experiences of others who have it, and provides resources. She wants everyone to know that persons with her illness have no restrictions. And that they, like everyone else, are capable of realizing their ambitions. Sophia stated in an interview, “Like me, people with Down Syndrome are capable of finding employment, starting their businesses, and putting in a lot of effort.”

The Inclusive Approach in the Modeling World

It is common knowledge that the entertainment industry discriminates against persons of different body kinds and colors. Especially when something does not conform to socially established beauty standards. Although this notion was formerly seen as a novel approach to weeding out deserving enthusiasts, it is today regarded as an attempt to eliminate enthusiastic aspirants. Nonetheless, the modeling business appears to have changed dramatically in recent years, and it now adopts an inclusive position.

All worldwide businesses have begun to hire a variety of people to serve as their spokespersons. Victoria's Secret's newest campaign, Love Cloud, is a watershed moment in the brand's evolution, highlighting the standard that is building an inclusive culture. The lingerie company is now inviting, celebrating, and supporting all people, regardless of color, ethnicity, nationality, or disability. By pushing false beauty standards, we could undoubtedly conclude that a new age of inclusion in the modeling profession is emerging.