At just 21, Vivian Wilson has already transformed herself from a bold online voice into a rising force in the world of fashion. On Friday, she made her official runway debut during Alexis Bittar’s pageant-inspired “Miss USA 1991” presentation, and it was more than just a fashion moment. It was a statement.
The show wasn’t your typical fashion spectacle. Alexis Bittar, known for blending storytelling with design, crafted the entire presentation around a politically charged theme. Each model was cast to represent a U.S. state currently facing legislative battles over trans rights. Wilson, who is trans herself, proudly represented South Carolina.
© Getty Images for Paramount+Bittar explained in a statement: “I purposely cast each contestant to represent a US state where trans rights are under assault.” His designs and casting choices spotlighted how beauty, identity, and politics intersect, a bold move that turned the runway into a platform for activism.
Wilson’s Showstopping Look
When Wilson stepped onto the stage, she embodied power and resilience. Wearing a shimmering, short-sleeved red gown paired with oversized gold earrings from Bittar’s Spring 2026 collection, she commanded the spotlight. She carried one of the brand’s iconic Scissor clutches, a sharp accessory that’s become synonymous with Bittar’s edgy style.
Per Page Six, Bittar himself shared a joint Instagram post with Wilson after the show, describing the collection as “a story about misogyny, unchecked predators, objectification and trans rights.” He praised Wilson, writing: “Thank you for trusting me @vivllainous and for honoring me with your first show as Miss South Carolina.”
From Catwalk Training to Center Stage
While Wilson called this her official runway debut, fashion insiders may have spotted her on a smaller stage before. Back in May, she wowed audiences at the Season 10 premiere of “RuPaul’s Drag Race All Stars” in New York City. There, she showcased her flair for performance through voguing, hair flips, and dance, giving the world a taste of her confidence long before stepping into designer couture.
© Getty Images for Paramount+Wilson’s rise hasn’t been without turbulence. Earlier this year, she made headlines for clapping back at her father, Elon Musk, after he deadnamed her on social media. Estranged from her father for years, Wilson has spoken openly about her transition, revealing in a Teen Vogue interview that she came out in 2020 to save herself from “going down a destructive path.”
“It was 11 p.m., and I was like, ‘I know for a fact I am trans,’” she shared. “I had known for a few months at that point, and I was like, ‘I cannot f—king do this anymore.’” Her father has publicly opposed her transition, even while acknowledging that he approved her gender-affirming care as a minor, something he later claimed he was “tricked” into doing. For Wilson, though, stepping into her truth has only strengthened her resolve.
© @vivianwilsonFor a young woman who came out just five years ago, her presence in fashion now feels like a natural evolution of her journey. She’s already proving that being unapologetically yourself is the most stylish thing anyone can wear.
