Being body beautiful is enough to snag a gig modelling for Brazilian swimwear brand Blue Man - and transgender models are all part of the 'package'.
Lea T, the 28-year-old model who was born Leandro Cerezo, took to the catwalk in a string bikini for the label's show during the Fashion Rio Summer 2012 event in Brazil yesterday.
As well as the two-piece, the model also posed in a snakeskin-print, cutaway bikini paired with tiny denim hot pants, revealing her enviably long, toned legs.
On Tuesday, T was pictured on a beach in Rio de Janeiro being shot by controversial fashion photographer Terry Richardson for Blue Man - one of Brazil's biggest swimwear brands - for their spring/summer 2012 campaign.
Miss T, who is the child of former footballer Toninho Cerezo, is no stranger to the world of high fashion. She has previously walked in shows for French fashion house Givenchy after striking up a friendship with creative director Riccardo Tisci, who has described her as "a true goddess", as well as for designer Alexandre Herchcovitch.
She was also pictured kissing supermodel Kate Moss on the cover of LOVE magazine's recent 'Androgyny Issue' issue, which is edited by Katie Grand, who spotted her potential after seeing her by the pool of Copacabana Palace Hotel in Rio, decked out in Givenchy haute couture.
In an interview with American TV host Oprah Winfrey in February, T opened up about her lifelong battle with her gender: "I was hoping I was gay, because, for my family, it would be less painful. And then I could ... have a normal life," before adding: 'But it's something in your brain - born in the wrong body."
Lea T began the gender reassignment process in 2008, and was awaiting the final procedure at the time she appeared on the TV show, saying: "Of course physically, this operation is a big operation. But at the same time, I think it's mental too. To think like: "Wow, I cut part of my body."'-BY Olivia Bergin | 02 June 2011