SRI LANKA’S ELINA GUNAWARDENA MAKES HISTORY AS SOUTH ASIAN MODELS SHINE AT VICTORIA’S SECRET FASHION SHOW 2026
BY RISHINI WEERARATNE
The Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show returned on the 18th of October at Sony Pictures Studios in Culver City, California, bringing together some of the world’s most recognisable supermodels, emerging runway stars and international music acts. Amid the elaborate wings, glamorous ensembles and celebrity appearances, the evening marked a significant moment for South Asian representation, with Sri Lankan model Elina Gunawardena making history as the first Sri Lankan to walk the iconic runway. Joining her were Indian model Ravleen Varghese, British-Indian supermodel Neelam Gill and Indian-Dominican model Luna Yohannan, while Indian-American singer Lara Raj performed with global girl group KATSEYE. For South Asian audiences, particularly those in Sri Lanka, the show represented more than another glamorous fashion event. It reflected the growing presence of talent from a region that has historically struggled to secure consistent visibility on the international fashion stage.
For Sri Lanka, the evening’s most significant achievement belonged to Elina Gunawardena, whose debut marked a historic first for the island nation. Walking alongside established supermodels including Adriana Lima, Bella Hadid, Gigi Hadid and Alessandra Ambrosio, Elina brought Sri Lankan representation to one of the most internationally recognised platforms in modelling. Her appearance was particularly meaningful for Sri Lanka’s fashion industry, which has steadily developed through the work of local designers, photographers, modelling agencies and fashion weeks. Despite this progress, opportunities for Sri Lankan models to gain recognition on major international runways have remained relatively limited. While South Asian representation in global fashion has improved in recent years, much of the attention has traditionally centred on India, with models from smaller countries in the region often receiving less international exposure.
Elina’s Victoria’s Secret debut therefore represented more than a personal career milestone. It was a breakthrough for Sri Lankan fashion, demonstrating that talent from the island could earn a place alongside some of the industry’s biggest names. For aspiring young models who may have viewed such opportunities as beyond their reach, her achievement offered a powerful reminder that international success is possible. Although a single runway appearance cannot transform an industry overnight, it can open doors, inspire ambition and encourage international fashion houses to recognise talent beyond established modelling markets.
Sharing the spotlight was 25-year-old Ravleen Varghese from Kerala, India, who also made her Victoria’s Secret debut. Ravleen appeared twice during the show, first in a pink lace lingerie ensemble and later in a contrasting black-and-white look. Her journey into modelling began unexpectedly when, at 18, she moved to Delhi to study design at the National Institute of Fashion Technology. After being scouted by Anima Creative Management, she embarked on a professional modelling career that would eventually take her to international runways. Ravleen made her New York Fashion Week debut in 2022 and has since worked with prominent Indian designer Sabyasachi Mukherjee. Her Victoria’s Secret appearance marked another important step in a career built through runway experience, fashion campaigns and professional modelling rather than celebrity recognition. Her success reflects the emergence of a new generation of Indian models establishing themselves internationally without relying on Bollywood fame, while highlighting the depth of talent coming from different parts of the country.
While Elina and Ravleen celebrated their debuts, British-Indian model Neelam Gill returned to the Victoria’s Secret runway for her third consecutive appearance. With family roots in Punjab, Neelam has established herself as one of the most recognisable models of Indian heritage in international fashion. Having previously appeared in the 2024 and 2025 shows, her return demonstrated the importance of sustained representation rather than isolated appearances.
For the 2026 show, Neelam wore a striking pink-and-gold embellished ensemble featuring intricate embroidery, delicate body chains, a colourful skirt and statement orange earrings. The look incorporated elements reminiscent of traditional Indian fashion, bringing a distinctive South Asian aesthetic to the runway. Having worked with leading fashion houses including Burberry and Dior, Neelam has built an international career extending well beyond Victoria’s Secret. Her continued presence highlights an important aspect of representation, where lasting opportunities and career longevity are just as meaningful as historic firsts.
Adding another dimension to the evening was Luna Yohannan, a New York-born model of Indian and Dominican heritage, who returned following her appearance in the 2025 show. Luna’s multicultural background reflects the increasingly diverse identities represented within international fashion and challenges conventional ideas of nationality, ethnicity and beauty. Together, Elina, Ravleen, Neelam and Luna demonstrated that South Asian representation cannot be confined to a single appearance, cultural identity or national background. Their participation celebrated the diversity of the region while challenging longstanding perceptions of what an international runway model should look like.
South Asian representation extended beyond the runway, with Indian-American singer Lara Raj performing as part of international girl group KATSEYE. The group took to the stage during the Victoria’s Secret PINK segment, performing songs including Pinky Up and Animal in coordinated outfits featuring corset-inspired tops, pleated skirts, fishnet stockings and bright pink detailing. Lara’s participation was particularly meaningful given her previously expressed admiration for Neelam Gill. Speaking to the media ahead of the show, Lara recalled watching Neelam walk for Victoria’s Secret and feeling represented by seeing an Indian model on such a prominent international platform. The fact that both women were now participating in the same show highlighted the wider influence of representation across fashion and entertainment. For younger South Asian performers and aspiring models, seeing someone from a similar cultural background succeed internationally can provide encouragement and a sense of possibility. Lara’s appearance also reflected the growing influence of South Asian talent across music, fashion and global popular culture.
The evening was not without controversy, however, with reality television star and beauty entrepreneur Kylie Jenner’s Victoria’s Secret runway debut becoming one of its most widely discussed moments. Kylie appeared wearing the brand’s iconic Fantasy Bra, reportedly valued at $50 million. Designed by luxury jeweller Jacob & Co., the extravagant creation reportedly featured 4,410 natural diamonds, including a 75.54-carat yellow diamond. Returning after an eight-year absence, the Fantasy Bra has traditionally been associated with established Victoria’s Secret Angels and some of the industry’s most successful runway models. Kylie’s selection sparked backlash among viewers who questioned whether celebrity status and social media influence were being prioritised over professional modelling experience. Some argued that veteran models such as Adriana Lima, Alessandra Ambrosio and Candice Swanepoel were more deserving of the honour, while others welcomed Kylie’s participation for the publicity and wider audience it brought to the brand.
The debate highlighted an ongoing tension within international fashion between celebrating professional modelling achievements and capitalising on celebrity influence.
Yet, beyond the celebrity spectacle, the 2026 Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show marked an important moment for South Asian talent. From Ravleen’s debut and Neelam’s continued success to Luna’s multicultural presence and Lara’s performance with KATSEYE, the evening reflected the region’s growing influence on the global stage. For Sri Lanka, however, the defining moment belonged to Elina Gunawardena. Her historic appearance as the first Sri Lankan model to walk the Victoria’s Secret runway placed the island firmly in the international fashion spotlight. More than a personal achievement, it represented a milestone for Sri Lanka’s modelling industry and a source of inspiration for young talent hoping to follow in her footsteps. In an industry where visibility can create opportunity, Elina’s breakthrough has given a new generation of aspiring Sri Lankan models reason to dream beyond borders.
