Teri Toye

Teri Toye is a former model and historic preservationist from Des Moines, Iowa. She is widely regarded as the first successful openly transgender model in the United States, and is best known for her work with designers such as Stephen Strouse, Thierry Mugler, and Jean Paul Gaultier.

Early life and modeling career Toye was born and raised in Des Moines, Iowa with one sister. In the late 1970s, she moved to New York City to study fashion at Parsons School of Design, though she later dropped out as her modeling career took off. While a student there, she began her gender transition.

In 1984, she was named "Girl of the Year" by New York Times fashion columnist John Duka. walked in shows internationally for Chanel, and appeared in editorials for Interview. In 1993, Toye and Fox purchased the Hatton House, a 130-year old Stick style home in the River Bend neighborhood. Toye prevented the destruction of the house and preserved original features using a grant from the State Historic Preservation Office in the Iowa Department of Natural Resources. When Toye and Fox divorced in 1995, she retained full ownership of the home.