Alex Consani Before and After: The Real Story of Fashion's First Trans Model of the Year

Alex Consani Before and After: The Real Story of Fashion's First Trans Model of the Year

If you’ve spent more than five minutes on TikTok in the last two years, you’ve definitely seen her. The bleached brows. The chaotic, high-energy walks through the streets of New York. The absolute "main character energy" that makes you feel like you’re watching a glitch in the matrix of a typical, poised supermodel.

Alex Consani isn't just another girl who got lucky on an app. She is currently rewriting the entire rulebook of the high-fashion world. But when people search for Alex Consani before and after, they usually aren't just looking for a "glow-up" or a change in hair color. They’re looking for the history of a girl who knew exactly who she was at age four and managed to drag the gatekept world of couture along with her.

Honestly, the transformation isn't just about her face or her wardrobe. It’s about a massive shift in how the industry views trans identity—moving from a "tokenized" niche to the literal front-and-center of the British Fashion Awards.

Growing Up as the Youngest Trans Model in the World

The "before" part of Alex’s story starts way before the viral Tom Ford runway or the Victoria's Secret wings. Born in July 2003 in Petaluma, California, Alex was already exploring her gender identity when most kids were just learning to tie their shoes. By age four, she was wearing feminine clothing. By eight, she’d chosen the name Alex.

Her parents didn't just "accept" it; they leaned in. They sent her to a summer camp for transgender youth (Camp Aranu'tiq, now known as Harbor), which Alex credits as the place where she first felt truly connected to her community.

It was during a drive home from that camp that she told her mom she wanted to model. Most parents might have shrugged it off, but hers found Slay Model Management on Facebook—an agency specifically for trans models.

The Early Days (2015–2019)

  • The World’s Youngest: At age 12, Alex became the world’s youngest transgender model.
  • Hormone Therapy: She began hormone replacement therapy (HRT) during puberty, a detail she’s been open about, noting how early access to gender-affirming care helped her develop her naturally feminine silhouette and features.
  • The "Slow" Grind: Even though she was signed, it wasn’t instant fame. She’s talked about how she’d do one job and then not work for a whole year. Modeling isn't always the sprint it looks like on Instagram.

The Viral Pivot: How 2020 Changed Everything

The Alex Consani before and after narrative takes a sharp turn during the pandemic. In 2019, at age 16, she signed with IMG Models—the heavy hitters who represent names like Gigi Hadid and Gisele Bündchen. But then, the world stopped.

Locked down like the rest of us, Alex turned to TikTok under the handle @captincroook. This is where "Miss Mawma" was born.

Instead of the typical "pretty girl" content, Alex went full absurdist. She dressed up as Gru from Despicable Me. She screamed in subways. She leaned into a specific kind of Gen Z humor that felt raw and unfiltered. By the time the world opened back up in 2021, she wasn't just a model; she was a personality with a massive, loyal "digital family."

The Runway Takeover and Making History

When she finally made her runway debut for Tom Ford in September 2021, she wasn't some unknown face. She was a star. But 2024 and early 2025 have been the years where she truly ascended to "Super" status.

Breaking the Victoria’s Secret Barrier

For years, the Victoria's Secret Fashion Show was criticized for its lack of inclusivity. In October 2024, Alex Consani and Valentina Sampaio became the first openly transgender models to walk the VS runway.

Alex wore a custom look by Dilara Findikoglu—a ripped Union Flag dress—and she didn't just walk; she stomped. She later noted that while she was celebrated, she recognized the privilege she has as a white trans woman, often pointing out that Black trans women like Dominique Jackson and Connie Fleming laid the bricks for the road she’s currently driving on.

2024 Model of the Year

In December 2024, Alex became the first transgender woman to win Model of the Year at the Fashion Awards in London. This is the "after" that everyone is talking about. She beat out massive names in the industry, proving that she isn't just a "social media model"—she is the industry's new standard.

What People Get Wrong About Her Transition

There’s a lot of noise online when people look for Alex Consani before and after photos. Because she started her transition so young with the support of her family and doctors, her "before" photos are mostly just those of a young girl growing into a woman.

A lot of the "after" is actually just high-fashion styling.

  • The Brows: Bleaching her eyebrows was a tactical move that gave her that "alien-chic" look high-fashion designers love.
  • The Hair: Moving from her natural tones to the signature bright blonde.
  • The Walk: She has a specific, bouncy, hip-heavy stride that has become her trademark. It’s technically called a "doll walk" in some circles, and it’s a direct homage to the ballroom and trans culture that inspired her.

Honestly, her transition isn't a "shocking" reveal. It’s a success story of what happens when a trans child is supported from day one. She didn't have to "fight" to be herself at home, which allowed her to save all that energy to fight for a spot on the Versace runway.

The Real Impact: Why She Matters in 2026

We are currently seeing a massive wave of "trans-excellence" in media, but Alex feels different because she’s not trying to be "palatable." She’s loud. She’s weird. She’s unapologetically Gen Z.

She has used her platform to talk about serious issues like acne, mental health, and the specific dangers facing the trans community, while also posting videos of herself eating a banana in a way that makes 5 million people laugh. That duality—the high-fashion ice queen vs. the goofy girl next door—is why she’s still relevant.

Actionable Insights from Alex’s Rise

If you're looking at Alex's career as a blueprint for success in the digital age, here is what actually worked:

  1. Community Over Content: She didn't just post photos; she built a "lore" with her followers.
  2. Acknowledge Your Roots: She consistently credits the Black trans women who came before her, which builds genuine credibility (E-E-A-T) rather than just taking the spotlight.
  3. Lean Into the "Weird": In a world of filtered perfection, her "ugly" or chaotic videos are what actually made her a household name.
  4. Patience is Mandatory: She started at 12 and didn't "hit" until 18. Six years of "nothing" is part of the process.

The "after" for Alex Consani isn't finished yet. With a Met Gala appearance in 2025 and her "Model of the Year" title, she’s moved into the territory of legends like Naomi and Kate. She’s no longer just a "trans model." She’s just the model, period.


Next Steps to Follow Alex's Career:

  • Check out her recent Vogue covers from late 2024 and 2025 to see how her editorial style has evolved.
  • Watch her acceptance speech from the British Fashion Awards—it’s a masterclass in how to use a platform for advocacy without losing your personality.
  • Follow her "captincroook" account for the most authentic look at her daily life in NYC, away from the airbrushing of the runway.