Victoria's Secret Introduces First Model With Down's Syndrome

A model has made history by becoming the first with Down's syndrome to feature in a Victoria's Secret campaign.

Sofia Jirau, from Puerto Rico, is one of '18 dynamic women from a myriad of backgrounds' to launch the lingerie retailer's 'Love Cloud' collection.

Announcing the news on Instagram, the 24-year-old said her dream had come true.

She wrote: "One day I dreamed it, I worked for it and today it is a dream come true. Finally I can tell you my big secret... I am the first Victoria's Secret model with Down's syndrome!

"Thanks to all of you for always supporting me in my projects. Thanks to @victoriassecret for seeing in me a #WithoutLimits model and making me part of the Love Cloud Collection inclusion campaign.

"This is just the beginning, now it really took shape! Inside and out there are no limits."

Jirau debuted as a model at New York Fashion Week in 2020 and she said on her website that she is 'proud to be one of the few models with Down's syndrome who has managed to participate in the important fashion event'.

Speaking after her debut, she set her sights on another dream - meeting her fashion icon J. Lo.

She told PEOPLE: "I want to meet Jennifer Lopez. I like how she dresses and how she is. I love all of her clothes.

"I love her songs, her CDs, her photos. Everything."

Jirau is only the second Puerto Rican model to star in a Victoria's Secret campaign, and she also runs her own online store, Alavett.

She said: "The most important thing about fulfilling my dreams is to show people around the world that there are no limits and inspire them to fight for their own dreams. 

"This is why I always say 'inside and outside there are no limits' to motivate people to break with the limitations that they self-impose."

Victoria's Secret is rebranding, in a bid to appeal to all types of women, and the Love Cloud campaign is the first since Raul Martinez became its head creative director.

He said: "Love Cloud Collection is a major moment in the brand's evolution.

"From the cast of incredible women that bring the collection to life, to the incredible inclusive spirit on set, this campaign is an important part of the new Victoria's Secret standard we are creating."

Featured Image Credit: Instagram/@sofiajirau

Topics: World News

Jake Massey

Jake Massey is a journalist at LADbible. He graduated from Newcastle University, where he learnt a bit about media and a lot about living without heating. After spending a few years in Australia and New Zealand, Jake secured a role at an obscure radio station in Norwich, inadvertently becoming a real-life Alan Partridge in the process. From there, Jake became a reporter at the Eastern Daily Press. Jake enjoys playing football, listening to music and writing about himself in the third person.

@jakesmassey