A young woman is making history after becoming the first Victoria’s Secret model with Down syndrome. Sofía Jirau, who joined the fashion brand for a new underwear line and campaign called “Love Cloud Collection” alongside 17 other women, recently shared the joyous news on social media. Posting a black and white picture of herself posing in a Victoria’s Secret bra, the 24-year-old Puerto Rican thanked the prestigious company for hiring her and seeing her as a model “without limits.”
“One day I dreamed of it, I worked for it and today it’s a dream come true. I can finally tell you my big secret. I am Victoria’s Secret’s first model with Down syndrome!” wrote Jirau. “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.”
Jirau’s career kickstarted in Puerto Rico back in 2019. By 2020, she made her modeling debut at the New York Fashion Week. She got the opportunity to model for Marisa Santiago during the dress designer’s runway show. In doing so, she got a chance to showcase her incredible talent on an international stage. “I was born for this and I want to show the world that I have everything a model needs to shine,” she wrote on Instagram shortly after the presentation.
Even at the time, she shared that the milestone was just the beginning of her list of achievements that Jirau planned on bagging in her career. Becoming a successful model is a childhood dream come true for the young lady. “When I was little, I looked myself in the mirror and said, ‘I’m going to be a model and a businesswoman,'” she told PEOPLE.
The chief creative director of Victoria’s Secret, Raúl Martinez explained the “evolution” of the brand in a statement. “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,” said Martinez.
Turns out, Jirau has also achieved her other goal of being a businesswoman through her own line named Alavett. The name of the brand is how Jirau spells out her favorite words, “I love it.” She describes Alavett as her “shout of joy” that sells everything from wallets and shirts to phone cases and mugs.
Cover image source: YouTube Screenshot | New York Post
