Teddy Quinlivan becomes first openly transgender model to front Chanel beauty campaign

Teddy Quinlivan at Paris Fashion Week in February 2019 ( Getty )

Teddy Quinlivan has become the first openly transgender model to feature in a Chanel beauty campaign.

The 25-year-old currently appears in the luxury brand’s new beauty advert for their "Summer Look" campaign and marks a watershed moment for the fashion house.

The Bostonian, who has previously walked the runways for Louis Vuitton, Gucci and Chanel and modelled for Milk Make-Up, Redken and Maison Margiela fragrance, wrote of her delight on Instagram after being chosen to star in the campaign.

“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,” she wrote. 

Quinlivan added that she was “deeply humbled” about her appointment and expressed her pride in representing her community:

“This was a victory that made all of that sh*t worth it. I had walked two 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.”

The model ended her post with an inspiring message of resilience and perseverance, emphasising her remarkable journey in the industry: 

"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," she wrote.

 

 

 

 

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💄CHANEL BEAUTY💄 -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! @nicolaskantor @shazmakeup @sebastienrichard1 @casadevallbelen

A post shared by Theodora Quinlivan (@teddy_quinlivan) on Aug 26, 2019 at 9:20am PDT

Quinlivan joins Andreja Pejic and Victoria’s Secret model, Valentina Sampaio, in the new crop of transgender models making waves in the fashion industry. Chanel’s decision to work with Quinlivan marks a positive step forward for progress in fashion.

After coming out as transgender in 2017, Quinlivan has become an advocate and spokesperson for the trans community and has hosted two TED talks about identity and self-esteem.