Personal Details :
- Full Name: Sofía Isabel Jirau González
- Date of Birth: 26 March 1997
- Place of Birth: Puerto Rico
- Nationality: Puerto Rican
- Disability: Down syndrome
- Siblings: Second eldest of four children
- Parents: Frankie Jirau and Mimi González
- Languages: Spanish, English
- First Modeling Start: Age 16 at a local designer show; officially began age 23 on 26 March 2019
- Entrepreneur: Founded online store “Alavett” in 2019
- Current Role: Experience Ambassador at Puerto Rican company INprende
- Relationship: In a relationship with chef Christopher González (confirmed April 2020)
Social Media Presence :
- Instagram: @sofiajirau
- Twitter: @_elliegoldstein
- YouTube: Sofía Jirau (featured videos)
- TikTok: #sofiajirau
Career Overview :
Sofía Jirau officially began her modeling career on March 26, 2019, at the age of 23, in her native Puerto Rico. She quickly gained recognition for her confidence, charisma, and commitment to breaking down barriers for people with disabilities in the fashion industry. Her early success led to appearances in local campaigns and fashion shows.
Her international breakthrough came in February 2020, when she walked the runway at New York Fashion Week, making headlines as one of the few models with Down syndrome to appear on such a prestigious stage. This appearance helped raise awareness about inclusion and inspired audiences around the world.
In 2022, Sofía made history by becoming the first model with Down syndrome to appear in a Victoria’s Secret campaign. She was featured in the brand’s “Love Cloud” collection alongside a diverse cast of women, earning global praise and becoming a symbol of body positivity and inclusivity in mainstream fashion.
Beyond modeling, Sofía is also an entrepreneur. In 2019, she launched her own online store called “Alavett” (a phonetic play on “I love it”), where she sells clothing, accessories, and home items inspired by her positive outlook on life. She uses this platform to promote her personal message: “Inside and out, there are no limits.”
Sofía currently serves as an Experience Ambassador for the Puerto Rican company INprende, where she motivates and supports people with disabilities in pursuing entrepreneurship and creative careers. Through her social media and professional work, she continues to advocate for diversity, empowerment, and breaking stereotypes.
Personal Life & Interests :
Sofía Isabel Jirau González was born on March 26, 1997, in Puerto Rico. She is the second eldest of four children and was raised by her parents, Frankie Jirau and Mimi González. From a young age, Sofía displayed a love for performing and fashion, often expressing herself through clothing and confident public appearances.
Despite being born with Down syndrome, Sofía never allowed her condition to define her limitations. With the support of her family, she pursued her dreams in modeling, entrepreneurship, and public speaking. She is fluent in Spanish and understands English, which allows her to communicate with a wide international audience.
Outside of her modeling career, Sofía enjoys dancing, music, and spending time with loved ones. She is also passionate about empowering others with disabilities and often shares motivational messages about self-love and believing in one’s potential. Her personal motto, “Sin límites” (“No limits”), guides both her professional journey and her daily life.
In 2020, she confirmed her relationship with chef Christopher González, and the couple has been publicly supportive of each other’s ambitions. Sofía remains active in her community and continues to be a role model for young women across the globe.
Awards & Achievements :
In February 2022, Sofía Jirau made history as the first model with Down syndrome to appear in a Victoria’s Secret campaign, featuring in the brand’s inclusive “Love Cloud” collection. This milestone was celebrated globally, marking a major step forward for diversity in mainstream fashion.
Before that, she debuted at New York Fashion Week in 2020 at age 24, positioning her among the first models with Down syndrome to walk the prestigious runway. Her breakthrough appearances also include modeling at San Juan Moda and various Puerto Rican fashion events.
Fun Facts :
Sofía Jirau began modeling on her 23rd birthday—March 26, 2019—making it both a personal and professional milestone. She had dreamed of becoming a model since childhood and turned that dream into reality with the full support of her family.
She is the founder of her own fashion and lifestyle brand, “Alavett,” which is a phonetic spelling of her favorite English phrase: “I love it.” The brand reflects her upbeat personality and love for fashion, and includes items like T-shirts, mugs, and phone cases.
Sofía’s personal motto is “Sin límites” (No limits), which she uses frequently in her posts, speeches, and interviews. It reflects her belief that people with disabilities can achieve anything they set their minds to.
She made headlines worldwide in 2022 when she became the first Victoria’s Secret model with Down syndrome, joining the “Love Cloud” campaign alongside a diverse group of women, which brought her a surge of new followers and praise from global media outlets.
In addition to modeling, Sofía loves to dance, pose for photos, and travel. She often posts behind-the-scenes videos of photo shoots and runway events, showing her enthusiasm and pride in her work.