Transgender America's Next Top Model contestant lands major new American Apparel campaign

American Apparel continues to create a stir with its provocative advertising by casting transgender model Isis King in their latest print campaign.

The America's Next Top Model alum, 26, appears in a series of eye-catching shots that not only promote the brand's clothing but endorses June's gay pride month.

As a show of support for the LGBT community, the stick thin model, who started life 'in the wrong body' wears a series of screen printed tees with pro-gay slogans such as 'legalize gay'.

Proud! Isis King, 26, America's Next Top Model alum and transgender model and designer, appears in American Apparel's new ad campaign

American Apparel's advertising campaigns have angered many over the years as young models have been featured wearing next to no clothes and baring nipples, pubic hair and everything in between.
But the choice to hire Ms King for the latest marketing ploy shows a more political stance than just shock factor.

 

The new line will feature t-shirts and tanks made in partnership with the Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD).

15per cent of proceeds from the sales of the garments adorned with other slogans like 'Gay O.K.' will be donated to the organisation and help its fight against homosexual prejudice.

Poster child: As a show of support for the LGBT community, the stick thin model, who says she started life 'in the wrong body' wears a series of screen-printed tees with pro-gay slogans such as 'legalize gay'

Clever: American Apparel's decision to use Ms King will not only keep people talking about its edgy advertising but shows its support for the LGBT community who celebrate Pride this month

The proceeds will also contribute to GLAAD's participation in the upcoming Pride marches across the nation.
An old hat at modelling, Ms Isis had been walking runways for seven years before first appearing in Tyra Banks' adored reality show in its eleventh cycle in 2008 and again for an 'all-star' line-up in 2011.

But appearing in an American Apparel campaign is a big win for the clotheshorse after failing to triumph in either season.

Delicate: A make-up artist works on Ms King during filming for American's Next Top Model, the show that propelled the fashion fanatic to fame

Ms King joins the likes of Jean Paul Gaultier muse, Andrej Pejic, and Lea T, both of whom have played major roles as the fashion world opens its mind to the idea of transgender models.

It's certainly a far cry from the existence Ms King eeked out while living in an assisted living development before Ms Banks noticed her in the background of homeless-themed photo shoot.

These days on googling her name and the words 'top model', nearly half a million pages are found, a statistic that surely was not lost on the American Apparel marketing team.