Words By ‘LLERO Editors
“One day I dreamed of it, I worked on it and today it is a dream come true. I can finally tell you my big secret…I am the first Victoria’s Secret model with Down syndrome!”
These were the words of model Sofia Jirau, who made history earlier this year when she was named a Victoria’s Secret model for the company’s latest campaign.
As Jirau aptly states, the moment is monumental in many ways. First, as iconic a brand as Victoria’s Secret is, it has as of late come under fire on several fronts.
From it unrealistic, often considered unattainable standard of beauty, to lack of diversity. The brand is viewed by many as out of touch with current more socially conscious and inclusive society.
Yet, for all the challenges as of late, the company does seem to be listening. Enter Sofia Jirau. The Puerto Rican native, is a part of a group of 17 women of all walks of life chosen for their “Love Cloud” campaign. As a Latina and woman with Down Syndrome, Jirau’s selection, brings diversity on several fronts and has her making history in the process.
Believe it or not, this is not Jirau’s first history making turn. She’s been breaking barriers since she started her modeling career. Jirau officially started working as a model in 2019. Since then, started racking up jobs with top designers and made history by walking the runways in 2020 at New York Fashion Week. Since then, she’ launched named “Alavett” offers clothing, accessories, and home products. Works as an Experience Ambassador in the Puerto Rican company INprende.
And has her sights set on Hollywood as she has been vocal about her dreams of becoming an actress. If there are any doubters out there, given her track record, we wouldn’t bet against her. Which is perhaps best summarized by the woman herself when she told People.com
“I want to tell the whole world that people with my condition, Down syndrome, inside and out, we have no limits.”