Alex Consani made history at the Fashion Awards in London on December 2 by becoming the first transgender model to win the Model of the Year award.
Fellow model Anok Yai took to X (formerly Twitter) to congratulate Consani on her groundbreaking achievement. However, Yai also used the platform to express her exhaustion with the British Fashion Council, the organization behind the awards, according to PEOPLE.
“Alex, I love you and I’m so proud of you. British Fashion Council, thank you but I don’t want it anymore,” Yai wrote.
She followed it up with a second post, writing, “If you have seen the effort that I’ve seen Alex put in; you would understand how proud I am of her. But Alex can be proud and I can be exhausted at the same time. It doesn’t take away how much love we have for each other.”
Fellow nominees who were nominated for the honors included Alva Claire, Amelia Gray, Liu Wen, Mona Tougaard, and Anok Yai.
Yai was also nominated last year when Paloma Elsesser won.
The British Fashion Council, which organizes the awards, states that the Model of the Year award “recognizes the global impact of a model who over the last 12 months has dominated the industry.”
The awarded model also must have an “influence that transcends the catwalk,” and make “an outstanding contribution to the industry, garnering numerous editorial and advertising campaigns throughout the year.”
In her acceptance speech, Consani, 21, paid tribute to Black transgender models like Connie Fleming and Aaron Rose Philip for paving the way for her success. She expressed that her win marked a significant step towards greater inclusivity in the modeling industry.
“Now, more than ever, it’s an important conversation that should be had about how to truly support and uplift one another within this industry, especially those who have been made to feel insignificant,” she said. “Because change is more than possible — it’s needed.”
This year, Consani broke new ground as one of the first transgender models to walk in the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show, and she graced the cover of Teen Vogue. She also modeled for prestigious labels such as Chanel, Jacquemus, Marc Jacobs, and Simone Rocha.
Yai, also active this year, participated in the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show and modeled for high-profile brands like Versace, Bottega Veneta, and Marc Jacobs.
Yai also featured on the cover of Elle’s Future of Fashion Issue.
