50 Years of Transgender Models

Recently, a sister brand of H&M, called & Other Stories, launched a new campaign for its fall collection that features transgender models. In celebration of this milestone, The Advocate compiled a 50-year history trans beauties that have been breaking barriers in the fashion industry. Take a look.

April Ashley's life is a remarkable story of bravery, reinvention, and glamour. She worked in the famous cabaret Le Carrousel after escaping from a mental home in England. She was one of the early gender-reassigment surgery patients. Then there is the whole modeling thing. Read more about her fabulous life here.

April Ashley in 1961.

April Ashley shot by the legendary David Bailey in 1969.

April Ashley in 1975.

International Chrysis was a print model of the '60s and one of the many trans muses of Salvador Dali. Her later career was as a cabaret performer.

Caroline "Tula" Cossey was both a model and a Bond girl (For Your Eyes Only) and the first trans woman to pose for Playboy.

Tula

Tula

Tula

Amanda Lepore is a petite powerhouse and New York nightlife figure. With a doll-like figure and face, she became a muse for photographers David LaChapelle and Terry Richardson.

Amanda Lepore

Amanda Lepore

Carmen Carrera is a transgender model, performer, and advocate. She got her start appearing on RuPaul's Drag Race and, with her statuesque beauty, moved on to a busy career as a cover girl.

Carmen Carrera on the cover of S Moda.

Carmen Carrera

Brazilian-born transgender model Lea T on Elle's Brazil edition. This Italian-raised beauty and muse of Riccardo Tisci is a regular model for Redken hair products.

Lea T

Lea T

Filipina model and advocate Geena Rocero in a recent campaign for Marriott Hotels, shot by Braden Summers.

Geena Rocero

Geena Rocero

Geena Rocero

Geena Rocero

Virginian-born Arisce Wanzer is a successful, straight-spoken model.

Arisce Wanzer

Arisce Wanzer

Inés-Loan Rau is a French-born model who calls fellow trans model Andreja Pejic her best friend.

Inés-Loan Rau

Inés-Loan Rau via Facebook

Inés-Loan Rau via Facebook

Amelia Maltepe was born into a Muslim family in Bangladesh. She's known for her racy lingerie shots now.

Amelia Maltepe

Andreja Pejic came out as transgender last year and is now the face of Make Up For Ever. With looks that recall Grace Kelly, Andreja may be the most famous trans model in the world.

Andreja Pejic

Andreja Pejic

Andreja Pejic

Andreja Pejic

Apple Model Management has broken new ground by opening a transgender division. Read about it here. Courtesy of Apple Model Management.

Courtesy of Apple Model Management

Courtesy of Apple Model Management

Courtesy of Apple Model Management

Courtesy of Apple Model Management

Courtesy of Apple Model Management

Courtesy of Apple Model Management

Courtesy of Apple Model Management

Courtesy of Apple Model Management

Courtesy of Apple Model Management

Courtesy of Apple Model Management

Courtesy of Apple Model Management

Courtesy of Apple Model Management