Model hopes to be first ‘trans model of colour’ to walk in Victoria’s Secret show

The model's tweet has gone viral online

(Rex Features)

A model has set out her ambitions to be the first transgender woman to walk in the Victoria’s Secret show.

Leyna Bloom made her dreams clear in a recent tweet alongside two snaps of herself wearing a black bikini, writing: “Trying to be the 1st trans model of colour walk a #VictoriaSecret Fashion show. #transisbeautiful #LeynaBloom”.

The 27-year-old’s tweet quickly went viral, garnering more than 106,000 likes and 32,200 retweets.

The annual lingerie fashion show has been running for 23 years and has never cast a transgender woman of colour in its exclusive lineup, that last year starred Bella Hadid and Alessandra Ambrosio.

Were Bloom to be included, it would mark a historic moment for the brand that is perennially scrutinised in the media for its homogenised show cast, which primarily consists of whippet-thin and impossibly-toned women.

Fans praised the Chicago-based model for aspiring to diversify the show, urging the US lingerie brand to take note.

“You are sooo beautiful!! @VictoriasSecret, make it happen,” one wrote.

“While I don't care for Victoria's Secret, you absolutely deserve to walk! Any woman deserves to walk and feel good and confident about herself,” another added.

Bloom has been modelling professionally since 2014 and has walked the catwalk for New York-based labels Chromat and the Blonds.

It’s not the first time that the young beauty has taken a swipe at Victoria’s Secret.

In November 2017 Bloom criticised the brand for having “way more white girls” than any other race in its lineup, despite being praised by other outlets as the most diverse show yet.

"It's like every time they added a woman of colour they added another white girl,” she wrote.

“Next year they need to cast trans and curve models all colours not just Caucasians."

Speaking to Yahoo, Bloom said walking in the runway show has always been a dream of hers.

“This is a platform that glorifies femininity,” she said.

“I always felt in my most natural state I am heavenly.

“For my trans sisters, regardless of colour, this will be a moment for us all.”