Valentina Sampaio - Mert & Marcus Photoshoot 2016

The French edition of fashion bible Vogue will become the country’s first ever magazine to feature a transgender model on its cover. Brazilian model Valentina Sampaio will appear in the April issue of Vogue Paris. The magazine describes the 22 year old as a “femme fatale” who just happened to be born a boy. The fashion tome adds that the brunette model is the “glam standard-bearer of a cause that is on the march… in a post-gender world”.

Editor-in-chief of the magazine, Emmanuelle Alt, writes that, “Vogue supports and chooses to celebrate” transgender people. She adds: "Beyond her evident physical qualities and her sparkling personality, (Valentina) embodies… a long and painful fight against being perceived as a 'gender exile’.” The cover shows the model in a plunging gold gown. “Transgender beauty: How they are shaking up the world,” the headline reads.

Before Vogue, Valentina appeared on the cover of Elle Brazil in November and has modelled for labels like Asap, Maria Almerinda, Gisela Franck and Rchlo. Several American fashion magazines have already featured transgender models – but this is a first for France.