For a long time, the words fat model Victoria Secret felt like a total oxymoron. It just didn't happen. If you grew up in the 90s or 2000s, you remember the "Angel" aesthetic: tall, tanned, and impossibly lean. It was a specific kind of fantasy that felt untouchable for most women.
Then things got messy.
In 2018, the brand’s former Chief Marketing Officer, Ed Razek, told Vogue that plus-size and transgender models didn't fit the "fantasy" the show was trying to sell. The backlash was nuclear. It wasn't just a PR hiccup; it was a cultural shift that almost buried the company. Brands like Savage X Fenty were already eating their lunch by showing real bodies, and Victoria’s Secret looked like a relic.
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The First "Fat Model" at Victoria's Secret
Honestly, the timeline of who was actually "first" is a bit confusing because the brand took baby steps before fully committing.
In October 2019, Ali Tate Cutler became the first size-14 model to appear in a Victoria’s Secret campaign. It wasn't for the main line, though. It was a collaboration with a UK-based brand called Bluebella. Cutler herself posted on Instagram, "I believe I’m the first size 14 on Victoria’s Secret?" She was stoked. The internet? A little more skeptical. People wondered if it was a one-time thing or a real change.
Then came the heavy hitters.
Paloma Elsesser and the VS Collective
By 2021, the company scrapped the "Angels" entirely. They replaced them with the VS Collective. This wasn't just a group of faces; they were "ambassadors" like Megan Rapinoe, Priyanka Chopra Jonas, and—most notably for body diversity—Paloma Elsesser.
Elsesser is a powerhouse. She’s a British-born, Swiss-American model who had already been a "body advocate" for years. When she joined, she didn't just want to be a token. She openly lobbied for the brand to expand its sizing to 5XL.
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- Height: 5'6"
- Significance: First plus-size model to win "Model of the Year" at the Fashion Awards (2023).
- The Moment: She finally walked the Victoria's Secret runway in late 2024 and again in the high-profile 2025 return show.
Seeing Paloma on that runway was a trip. For years, the "fat model Victoria Secret" search was just people complaining about the lack of one. Seeing her walk alongside the OGs like Tyra Banks and Adriana Lima felt like a fever dream for anyone who followed fashion's slow crawl toward inclusion.
Why the Rebrand Was So Hard to Swallow
The transition wasn't exactly smooth. A lot of people felt the move was cynical. When you’ve spent decades telling women they aren't thin enough to wear your lace, a sudden pivot to "we love all bodies" can feel like a desperate grab for cash.
Sales were dropping. Stores were closing. The brand had a toxic culture problem, too, with a New York Times investigation revealing widespread bullying. Basically, they had to change or die.
The Difference Between "Curve" and "Plus"
In the modeling world, the terminology is a bit of a minefield. Many of the models Victoria's Secret now hires are technically "curve" models—usually around a size 8 to 12.
- Jill Kortleve: A Dutch model who is often the face of "mid-size" representation.
- Devyn Garcia: Another frequent face in recent VS campaigns who represents a more athletic, realistic frame.
- Paloma Elsesser: Represents the true "plus" side of the industry.
There’s a nuance here that gets lost. Critics often point out that while the brand uses plus-size models in ads, the actual stores don't always carry the full range of sizes. If you're looking for a 44DDD in person, it's still a bit of a gamble.
The 2025 Fashion Show: A Turning Point?
The brand brought back its famous Fashion Show in 2025. It was a big deal. They had to figure out how to keep the "spectacle"—the wings, the glitter, the music—without the "exclusion" that made it controversial.
Paloma Elsesser’s walk was one of the most talked-about moments. She looked incredible. But more importantly, she looked like she belonged there. It wasn't a "special segment" for different bodies; it was just a fashion show. The inclusion of trans models like Valentina Sampaio and Alex Consani alongside plus-size models showed that the "fantasy" had finally evolved. Or at least, the brand's definition of it had.
What You Should Know Before You Buy
If you’re heading to the site because you saw a fat model Victoria Secret campaign, here’s the reality of what you’ll find in 2026:
- Size Range: They’ve definitely expanded. You can find up to XXL in most bras and some lines go higher online.
- The "Vibe": It’s less "bombshell" and more "comfort-meets-cool."
- Authenticity: It feels more real now, but it’s still a massive corporation. They respond to what sells.
It’s easy to be cynical, but representation actually does matter. Seeing a size-16 woman in a pair of wings on a global stage sends a message to younger girls that wasn't there ten years ago. It’s not perfect, and the brand still has a long way to go to earn back the trust of everyone they alienated for decades.
Actionable Insights for the Conscious Shopper
If you want to support the shift toward body diversity, pay attention to the collections these models actually front. The VS Collective is where the real design changes happen. Look for "Body by Victoria" or the newer "Cloud" lines if you're looking for the styles that were redesigned with various shapes in mind.
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Also, check the "Fit Finder" on their site. Since they’ve changed their manufacturing standards to accommodate more sizes, your old VS size might not be your current one. It’s worth a quick re-measure before you drop fifty bucks on a bra.
Supporting brands that feature plus-size models is the only way to ensure these models keep getting booked. Whether you love the new VS or still miss the old glittery era, the industry has moved on. The "fat model" isn't a trend; it's the new standard for a brand that wants to stay relevant in 2026.