Ashley Graham walking the Victoria’s Secret runway isn't just another fashion moment. It's a glitch in the Matrix for anyone who grew up in the early 2000s. Back then, the brand was basically a gated community for a very specific, very narrow definition of "perfection." If you weren't a size zero with a specific wing-to-waist ratio, you didn't exist in their world.
Honestly, the Victoria's Secret Ashley Graham partnership felt impossible for a long time.
She spent years calling them out. She even posted a famous photoshopped image of herself with "Addition Elle" wings back in 2017 to throw some high-grade shade at their lack of diversity. So, when she finally strutted down that Brooklyn Navy Yard catwalk in October 2024, it wasn't just a debut. It was a surrender from a brand that finally realized the world had moved on without them.
The "Tiny Underwear" Incident
One of the best things about Ashley is her total lack of a filter. When she sat down with People magazine right before the 2024 show, she didn't give a corporate-approved answer about "brand synergy."
Instead, she told everyone that the first outfit they tried to put her in was a disaster. "The first thing they gave me was this tiny, tiny little underwear," she laughed. Her response? "Hello, I just had three children." She basically had to tell the most famous lingerie brand on earth that she needed more fabric.
They listened.
👉 See also: Noah Schnapp: Why the Stranger Things Star is Making Everyone Talk Right Now
She ended up in a black lace bodysuit that actually fit, topped with a sheer robe and those massive gold-flowered wings. It was a vibe. But it also showed that even in 2024, the brand was still learning how to dress bodies that weren't "sample size."
Why she almost didn't do it
You’ve gotta wonder what changed. Ashley was vocal about her hesitation. She told her followers on Instagram that she actually said no at first. For her, the "brand DNA" was something she didn't feel part of for eighteen years of her career.
She only signed on after sitting down with the new leadership. They promised her this wasn't a "one-off" or a token gesture to stop the bleeding of their stock price. They promised extended sizes.
The 2025 Return: Dark Angel Energy
If the 2024 debut was the icebreaker, the Victoria's Secret Ashley Graham appearance in 2025 was the confirmation. On October 15, 2025, she returned to the show for a second year in a row. This time, there was no hesitation.
She leaned into the "Dark Angel" aesthetic.
✨ Don't miss: Nina Yankovic Explained: What Weird Al’s Daughter Is Doing Now
- The Look: A sultry black lace bra and panty set.
- The Wings: Massive, feathery black wings with a train that followed her like a shadow.
- The Vibe: Pure confidence.
She even dropped her kids off at school in "full glam" before heading to the venue. That’s the kind of "boy mom" energy we rarely see from the old-school Angels. It’s relatable. It’s human. It’s a far cry from the days when models had to follow "starvation" diets just to fit into the costumes.
The Backlash: Not Everyone Was Happy
We have to be real here. The internet is a messy place. While a lot of people were cheering for the Victoria's Secret Ashley Graham moment, a vocal group of "purists" hated it.
On X (formerly Twitter) and Reddit, some fans lamented the loss of the "old VS." They missed the era where every model looked like a carbon copy of a Barbie doll. Some called the brand "hypocritical" for hiring Ashley after they famously passed on models like Barbara Palvin years ago for being "too curvy" (which is wild to think about now).
Others felt the rebranding was "boring." They argued that by trying to be everything to everyone, the brand lost its "fantasy" spark.
But here’s the thing: the "fantasy" was bankrupting them.
🔗 Read more: Nicole Young and Dr. Dre: What Really Happened Behind the $100 Million Split
The move to include Graham, Paloma Elsesser, and trans models like Valentina Sampaio wasn't just a moral choice. It was a survival tactic. The data showed that younger shoppers were ditching VS for brands like Savage X Fenty and Aerie because they wanted to see people who actually looked like them.
Breaking Down the Impact
Is this just a PR stunt? Some critics think so. They point out that while Ashley is on the runway, the actual stores are still catching up with stocking a full range of sizes in every location.
However, the "Ashley Graham effect" is hard to deny.
- Representation: Seeing a size-16 woman with "real" hips and arms wearing wings is a psychological shift for the millions of people watching.
- Corporate Accountability: Ashley has made it clear she isn't just a face; she’s pushing for the "extended sizes" the brand promised.
- Modernizing the "Angel": The term "Angel" used to mean something exclusive. Now, it's starting to mean something more about confidence than a specific BMI.
What’s Next for the Partnership?
The Victoria's Secret Ashley Graham era seems to be just starting. Based on her 2025 appearance, she’s become a staple of the "new" Victoria’s Secret. She’s transitioned from being the brand’s loudest critic to its most influential ambassador.
If you’re looking to support this shift or just want to see what the hype is about, here’s how to navigate the "new" VS:
- Check the "VS Collective": This is where the brand highlights its ambassadors who aren't just models, but activists and athletes.
- Look for the "Wicked" Collection: This was the specific line Graham wore during her 2024 debut. It’s designed to be more inclusive of different shapes.
- Ignore the Trolls: The "old VS" isn't coming back. The industry has moved toward a more realistic standard of beauty, and that’s a win for everyone.
The partnership proves that you can eventually change a giant, slow-moving corporate machine—you just have to be loud enough for long enough. Ashley Graham didn't wait for an invite to the table; she built her own, and then Victoria's Secret eventually asked for a seat.
To stay updated on this evolving partnership, you can follow Ashley’s social media where she frequently posts BTS content of her fittings, showing exactly how much work goes into making those "inclusive" wings actually functional for a curvy frame.