From viral TikTok dances to the Met Gala host committee

Cultures · Published 11 October 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: Alex Consani redefined what it means to be a modern fashion icon by blending absurdist internet humor with high-fashion prestige. She became the first transgender person to win Model of the Year, proving that a goofy TikTok persona and a serious runway walk can coexist in the same spotlight.

Born in Petaluma, California, Alex Consani began her journey into fashion at an incredibly young age. After starting to wear feminine clothing at four and choosing her name at eight, she entered the modeling world in 2015. At just 12 years old, she became the world's youngest transgender model at that time. Her early career was bolstered by Slay Model Management, a Los Angeles-based agency composed entirely of transgender models, which helped launch her into international visibility as early as 2016.

Consani’s rise is unique because it bridges two distinct worlds: the high-glamour runway and the chaotic energy of Gen Z internet culture. While she was walking for prestigious houses like Versace, Alexander McQueen, and Tom Ford, she was simultaneously building a massive following on TikTok under the username captincroook. Her content often features 'harebrained subway dances' and loud, public comedic videos that some critics have described as intentionally annoying. By 2024, this digital presence had amassed over three million followers and 150 million likes.

This duality has led to her being dubbed the 'It Girl' of 2024 by several publications. Marking a milestone, she joined Valentina Sampaio as the initial pair of transgender models to feature on the Victoria's Secret Fashion Show runway during October 2024. By December 2024, she won the Fashion Award for Model of the Year. Her influence is now cemented in mainstream prestige, evidenced by her inclusion on Forbes’ Top Creators Fashion 50—where she held a 21.5% engagement rate—and her role as the first transgender woman to serve on the Met Gala host committee in May 2026.

Consani's trajectory matters because it challenges the traditional gatekeeping of 'serious' fashion. She successfully navigated from being a viral creator during the COVID-19 pandemic to becoming a staple of Time’s Time100 Next list and a face for brands like Jean Paul Gaultier. Her career serves as a blueprint for how modern creators can leverage niche internet humor to break into legacy institutions.

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