Photo: Givenchy

DESIGNER Ricardo Tisci is featuring a transsexual model for Givenchy’s Fall 2010 ad campaign, according to reports from WWD. But it’s not just anybody he’s cast—Lea T, formerly known as Leo, is Ricardo’s longtime personal assistant and former fit model for his own line.

The Brazilian model (in red lipstick) appears in several ads from the series— which include pictorials for eyewear and their luxury timepieces—and are slated to make their first print debut in the July issue of L’Uomo Vogue.

“She’s always been very feminine: superfragile, very aristocratic,” Ricardo said of Lea. “She’s part of the family.” He added that the model is now moving on to a new career in veterinary medicine.

Ricardo explained that using a transgender person allowed him to illustrate the male-female divide, or lack thereof, to further emphasise his personal design ethic.

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