On October 15, 2025, Ashley Graham, one of the world’s most celebrated plus-size supermodels, made a powerful return to the Victoria’s Secret runway at Steiner Studios in New York City. At 37, Graham walked not just as a model, but as a symbol of change, embracing her curves and representing millions of women with confidence, pride, and a message of inclusion.
Backstage, Graham prepared in her signature fuzzy socks, surrounded by her glam team, exuding calm focus and radiant energy. Fans called her presence “relatable” and her walk “empowering.” This moment wasn’t just a fashion show—it was an opportunity to challenge beauty norms on a global stage.
Before stepping onto the catwalk, Graham spoke candidly to the press. Highlighting that 67% of American women wear a size 14 or higher, she emphasized the importance of representation. “Things are going to bounce. Things are going to move. There’s going to be a little cellulite here and there — and you know what? I’m owning it,” she said. Her words reflected a broader mission of body diversity, transparency, and acceptance, challenging the perfection-driven image Victoria’s Secret had long promoted.
On the runway, Graham stunned in a bold black lingerie set paired with dramatic feathered wings. Her confident, purposeful walk earned loud applause and emotional reactions from the live audience and viewers online. She was celebrated not only for fashion but for embodying strength, authenticity, and change, replacing outdated standards with a dose of reality and inspiration.
Behind the scenes, Graham shared a humorous, down-to-earth glimpse into her preparation. “I put on my fuzzy socks, okay?” she laughed. “I use lidocaine spray for my feet when I wear heels — that’s a pro tip — and yes, I bring snacks.” Her honesty made her even more relatable, showing that supermodels, too, have practical routines.
Social media quickly erupted with support. Fans praised her authenticity, applauding features often hidden in fashion, like stretch marks and cellulite. Graham later shared behind-the-scenes footage on Instagram, captioning, “THAT WAS SO MUCH FUN!!!! Thank you @victoriassecret for having me. It means so much to represent the curvy girls on your runway.”
Reflecting on her first Victoria’s Secret appearance in 2024, Graham recounted being given a tiny outfit that didn’t fit her post-motherhood body. She requested a more flattering bodysuit, and when paired with feathered wings, she felt like a true Angel.
Off the runway, Graham balances a lively home life as a mother of three boys—Isaac, Roman, and Malachi—alongside her husband, filmmaker Justin Ervin. “They’re like my little dinosaurs,” she shared, describing the energetic chaos of family life.
Over the past decade, Graham has broken barriers in fashion, becoming the first plus-size model on the cover of Sports Illustrated’s Swimsuit Issue, the first to walk for Michael Kors, and the first featured in American Vogue in a non-sample size. Her trailblazing presence redefined mainstream beauty standards. “But if you ask me, I’m not the new kid in town — this body’s been around for centuries. I’ve just been given a voice,” she once said.
Ashley Graham’s Victoria’s Secret appearance was more than a runway moment—it was a declaration: beauty comes in all shapes and sizes, and women deserve to see themselves reflected on the world’s most visible stages.