Iowa Gov.-Rob Sand, who won the election on Tuesdayhe walked runways for Prada and other fashion houses while in college, according to Vogue.
Vogue asked on Instagram if fans knew that Sand once modeled for Prada. A verified account for Sand, @robsandia, responded in the comments on Thursday: “Yes, I knew that.” The comment had more than 700 likes about 20 minutes later, and many of the responses were congratulatory.
“From runway to running USA ✨,” read one comment, while another enthused, “THE greatest fashion ever for a politician and 2 words: Italian Vogue. YES SIR! 👏 🔥”
Vogue reported that the model’s history surfaced on social media after he won, when a user reposted a video of Sand with a caption expressing disbelief that he was once a model. A Google search confirmed it, Vogue reported.
The New York Times previously reported, in a 2019 profile, that Sand briefly modeled in Paris and Milan while in college but doesn’t like to talk about it. However, Sand’s campaign confirmed to CBS News that he “had done some modeling while in college in the early 2000s.
Sand began modeling while attending Brown University, which Vogue described as a successful side hustle that led him to Milan. He walked for Prada, the Japanese label Number (N)ine and Giuliano Fujiwara, and appeared in editorial spreads, including the fall of 2002 AnOther Magazine titled “Adolescents,” Vogue said.
Sand also previously told Newsweek that he missed a caucus opportunity in 2004 in his hometown of Decorah, Iowa, because he was in Milan.
Sand, previously elected Iowa state auditor, defeated Republican Zach Lahn in Tuesday’s race for governor.