A 24-Year-Old Model Made History as First Ever Victoria’s Secret Model with Down Syndrome

In 2022, Sofia Jirau was only 24 years old. What’s more, she had started her modeling career just a few short years earlier in 2019, and then made her New York Fashion Week debut just a year after that in 2020. But, despite her age and relatively recent entry into the industry, Jirau managed to accomplish one of her big life dreams that year, becoming a Victoria’s Secret model!

In so doing, Jirau, a young woman of Puerto Rican heritage, was not just one of the only 17 women who were chosen to be in the Victoria’s Secret Love Cloud Collection, each piece of which is meant to be comfortable enough for women to wear all day, though her being included would have itself been incredibly impressive. Rather, she also was the first ever model with Down Syndrome to become a Victoria’s Secret angel.

Commenting on the impressive achievement at the time it occurred, describing it as a “dream come true,” Jirau said, in a post on Instagram, “One day I dreamed it, I worked for it and today it’s a dream come true. I can finally tell them my big secret… I’m Victoria’s Secret’s first model with Down syndrome! 💗”

Then, continuing, she noted that she was part of the Love Cloud Collection, saying, “Thank you all for always supporting me in my projects. Thanks to #SinLímites for seeing a @victoriassecret model in me and making me part of the Love Cloud Collection inclusion campaign. This is just the beginning, now it has been formed! Inside and out there are no limits, Alavett!”

Raúl Martinez, Victoria Secret’s chief creative director, said in a statement, “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.”

Similarly, Janie Schaffer, Chief Design Officer for Victoria’s Secret Lingerie, said, “After listening to and being inspired by the real needs of our consumers, Love Cloud has been created as a collection that fits everyday comfort without sacrificing functionality or sexiness. With this new line, we are launching high quality bras and panties in shapes that fit women’s daily needs, in our ongoing effort to develop products that champion women and support their individual journeys.”