Vivian Wilson Takes the Stage in Shows Addressing Transgender and LGBTQ Themes
"Seen as a Critique Targeting Trump"
Vivian Jena Wilson, the transgender daughter of Elon Musk, CEO of Tesla, drew attention as she took to the runway at New York Fashion Week at the age of 21. Observers noted that her debut was not just a typical runway appearance, but also served as a 'political symbol' carrying a critical message against former President Donald Trump, who has restricted transgender rights.
On September 16 (local time), Yonhap News, citing reports from the Washington Post and NBC, stated that Wilson walked in four different runway shows during New York Fashion Week, held from September 12 to 15.
Wilson's first appearance was on September 12 at a show by accessory designer Alexis Bittar, themed 'Miss USA 1991.' All the models in this show were transgender women, each wearing a sash bearing the name of a state known for strong Republican support.
President Trump owned the rights to the 'Miss USA Pageant' from 1996 to 2015. The Washington Post highlighted this connection, noting that the show was "a satire aimed at Trump."
On September 13, Wilson also participated in a show by Prabal Gurung, a Nepalese-American fashion designer. The show was titled 'Angels in America,' a reference to the play of the same name, which addresses themes such as homosexuality and AIDS.
Wilson continued to walk in shows on September 14 and 15 for fashion designer Olivia Cheng and jewelry designer Chris Habana. Habana explained the purpose of the show, stating, "I wanted to deliver a provocative message about how gender can be expressed in so many different ways and how it can be elevated into art."
The Washington Post noted that, unlike last year when New York Fashion Week delivered clear political messages ahead of the U.S. presidential election, this year's event featured few explicit political symbols. However, the publication added, "Casting Wilson, even if not overtly, can be read as a 'statement,'" describing it as a particularly powerful expression. With President Trump having rolled back various diversity policies and introduced measures restricting transgender rights immediately after taking office, Wilson's appearance on the runway itself is interpreted as a critical message.
In an interview with NBC, Wilson said, "I really love it when the show itself carries a political message," adding, "I think that's a truly powerful statement."
Wilson is one of the children born to Musk and his first wife, Justine Wilson, whom Musk married in 2000 and divorced eight years later. In 2022, at the age of 18, Wilson transitioned from male to female and declared estrangement from her father by changing her surname. At the time, she made headlines by publicly stating, "I do not wish to be related to my biological father in any way."
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