Openly transgender model becomes new face of Chanel
 |
| Teddy Quinlivan |
Teddy Quinlivan has become the first openly transgender model to work with high end fashion titan Chanel.
US-born Quinlivan came out as trans two years ago, and had already worked with Chanel prior to the announcement in 2017. In a post on Instagram, the 25 year-old Boston native said she feared she would “never work with the iconic house of Chanel ever again” having publicly disclosed her trans identity.
Her latest campaign with Chanel sees Teddy modelling Chanel’s beauty line. The first images to emerge from the campaign feature her applying its Coco lipstick, Soleil Tan De Chanel bronzer and Le Volume De Chanel N°10 Noir mascara.
In her full announcement, Quinlivan wrote:
“I find I don’t cry anymore when things are sad, but isn’t it interesting when we shed tears in moments of triumph. This was one of those triumphant cry moments for me. My whole life has been a fight. From being bullied at school consistently, kids threatening to kill me and going into graphic detail how they were going to do it, my own father beating me and calling me a fagot, to receiving industry blowback after speaking publicly about being sexually assaulted on the job... This was a victory that made all of that shit worth it. I had walked 2 shows for Chanel while I was living in stealth (stealth meaning I hadn’t made my trans identity public yet) and when I came out I knew I’d stop working with some brands, I thought I’d never work with the iconic house of Chanel ever again. But here I am in Chanel Beauty Advertising. I am the first openly trans person to work for the house of Chanel, and I am deeply humbled and proud to represent my community. The world will kick you down, spit on you, and tell you you’re worthless. It’s your job to have the strength to stand up and push on, to keep fighting, Because if you give up then you will never experience the tears of triumph. Thank you to everyone who made this dream a reality!”
Teddy Quinlivan is absolutely beautiful! Congratulations to her for her tenacity and success. She is absolutely an inspiration to me!
ReplyDeleteInspiration to us all...
Delete