If you walked into a Victoria’s Secret store ten years ago, you knew exactly what you were getting. The walls were plastered with towering, airbrushed "Angels" who looked like they’d never seen a carb in their lives. It was a very specific, very narrow fantasy. But things have gotten messy, interesting, and—honestly—a lot more realistic lately. The phrase victoria secret fat model used to be a punchline or a corporate "never," but now? It's the strategy keeping the brand from total extinction.
For a long time, the gatekeepers at VS, specifically former marketing chief Ed Razek, were pretty blunt about their stance. He famously told Vogue in 2018 that the show was a "fantasy" and basically implied that plus-size women didn't fit into that dream. It was the "shut up and be skinny" era of fashion. But then the world moved on, and VS didn't. Sales tanked. People got bored. Rihanna’s Savage X Fenty showed up and ate their lunch by actually casting people who looked like, you know, humans.
The Turning Point: Who Was the First?
The shift didn't happen overnight. It started with a whisper and then became a roar. In 2019, Ali Tate Cutler became the name everyone pointed to. She was marketed as the brand's first "plus-size" model, though she’s a size 14. In the real world, a 14 is pretty average, but in the land of wings and glitter, it was a revolution.
Cutler didn't even walk the runway at first; she was part of a collaboration with a UK brand called Bluebella. It felt a bit like VS was dipping a toe in the water to see if the sharks would bite. They didn't. Instead, customers were like, "Finally, someone who doesn't look like a literal toothpick."
Then came the VS Collective in 2021. This was the brand basically setting its old identity on fire. They traded the Angels for "partners." We’re talking about people like Paloma Elsesser, who is a powerhouse in the curve modeling world. Paloma isn't just "not thin"—she’s a size 16/18 and a vocal advocate for body diversity. Seeing her in a VS campaign wasn't just a casting choice; it was a white flag of surrender from the old guard.
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Why the 2025 Runway Changed Everything
Fast forward to the 2025 Victoria's Secret Fashion Show. If the 2024 comeback show was a "misguided disaster" (as some critics called it for feeling forced), 2025 was where they actually found their footing.
The runway in Brooklyn was a wild mix. You had the legends like Adriana Lima and Tyra Banks—who is now 52 and still slaying—walking alongside a whole new generation. We saw:
- Precious Lee: A legitimate curve superstar who brings a high-fashion energy that the old VS lacked.
- Ashley Graham: The GOAT of plus-size modeling finally getting her wings.
- Barbie Ferreira: The Euphoria star who brings that Gen Z "I don't care what you think" vibe.
- Suni Lee and Angel Reese: Athletes! Because apparently, you can be fit and have muscles and still wear lingerie. Who knew?
The most talked-about moment, though? Jasmine Tookes walking the runway while nine months pregnant. It was a massive middle finger to the old "perfect body" requirement.
The "Fat" Label vs. Reality
Let's be real: people still search for victoria secret fat model because they’re looking for the controversy. They want to see if the brand is actually inclusive or just "tokenizing" curvy women. There’s a big difference between hiring one size-12 girl and actually stocking 2XL in stores.
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Honestly, the brand is still struggling with this. While the runway looks great, the actual shopping experience can still be hit-or-miss. If you go into a physical store, you might find that the "inclusive" sizes are tucked in a corner or only available online. It’s that classic corporate move—look diverse in the ads, but keep the inventory "safe."
But you can't deny the impact of seeing someone like Paloma Elsesser or Devyn Garcia in a "bombshell" ad. It shifts the needle. It tells the girl who has been told she's "too much" her whole life that she's allowed to feel sexy too.
What People Still Get Wrong
A lot of folks think Victoria’s Secret "went woke and went broke." But if you look at the numbers, they were going broke before they went inclusive. The old "thin-only" model was dying because Gen Z and Millennials stopped buying the lie. We wanted comfort. We wanted to see stretch marks. We wanted to see someone whose thighs touch.
The current roster of curve models isn't just a PR stunt; it’s a survival tactic. By casting women like Remi Bader (who has been very open about her struggles with the brand's sizing in the past), they are trying to win back the trust they nuked in the late 2010s.
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Is it Authentic or Just Marketing?
That’s the million-dollar question. Some people think it’s performative. They see the 2025 show and think, "Okay, you put a few curvy girls on the stage, but the clothes are still designed for a specific frame." And they aren't entirely wrong.
However, compare the 2025 show to a 2005 show. In 2005, a size 4 was considered "curvy" by VS standards. In 2025, we have women who are legitimately plus-size wearing the same crystalline teddies and elaborate wings as the "standard" models. That is a massive cultural shift. It’s not perfect, but it’s a hell of a lot better than it was.
Real Talk: Actionable Ways to Support Real Diversity
If you're tired of the "performative" stuff and want to see actual change in the industry, here’s how you actually influence these brands:
- Vote with your wallet. If a brand like VS launches an inclusive line, buy it. If they don't stock your size in-store, tell the manager. Data drives everything in retail.
- Follow the models, not just the brand. Support people like Paloma Elsesser, Precious Lee, and Jill Kortleve. When their engagement is high, brands are forced to keep hiring them.
- Demand "size-blind" design. It’s one thing to make a plus-size bra; it’s another to make it look just as good as the size 32B version. Don't settle for "frumpy" inclusive options.
- Watch the credits. Look at who is directing these shows. When women like Janie Schaffer (the Chief Design Officer) are in charge, the perspective shifts from "how do men want to see women" to "how do women want to feel."
Victoria's Secret isn't the "Angel" factory it used to be. It's a brand in the middle of a messy, public identity crisis—and for the first time in thirty years, that makes it actually worth watching. The "fat model" isn't a glitch in the system anymore; she's the one finally holding the keys.
If you want to stay ahead of how the industry is shifting, keep an eye on the Spring 2026 reports. While VS is moving toward inclusion, many European luxury brands are actually sliding back toward "heroin chic" thinness. The battle for body representation is far from over.
To see the change for yourself, check out the official Victoria's Secret "About Us" page to see their current partner roster, or look up the 2025 runway highlights to see how the "wings" have been redesigned for different body types. It's a different world out there. Finally.