Who Is Neelam Gill? First Indian-Origin Model At Victoria’s Secret Show 2025

British-Indian model Neelam Gill turned heads as she became the only Indian-origin model to walk the runway at the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show 2025, held on October 15 in Brooklyn, New York. She turned heads with her remarkable style and confidence, marking a significant moment for Indian representation on one of the world’s biggest fashion stages.

Neelam Gill & Victoria’s Secret

Gill, who made her debut at the show in 2024, returned to the runway in stunning style, wearing a soft pink lingerie set that paired a delicate bra with shimmering panties, layered with sheer fabric to lend an ethereal touch. The minimal and elegant styling allowed the pastel hues and flowing textures taking the spotlight, perfectly balancing sensuality and grace.

From Coventry to the Global Catwalk

Neelam was born in Coventry, England, on April 27, 1995. She is of Sikh heritage with roots in Punjab. Her journey into fashion began early, she first explored modeling at just 13, and by 14, she had signed with NEXT Model Management. At 18, she broke new ground as the first Indian-origin model to feature in a Burberry campaign during London Fashion Week. Since then, she has walked for designers including Dior, Rohit Bal, and Kanye West, and fronted major campaigns for L’Oréal Paris and Abercrombie & Fitch.

A Milestone for Indian Representation

On the runway, Gill walked alongside fashion icons like Gigi Hadid, Bella Hadid, Adriana Lima, Candice Swanepoel, Ashley Graham, and Jasmine Tookes. This year’s 2025 edition, themed around rebirth and inclusivity under Adam Selman’s creative direction, also featured high energy performances by Madison Beer, the K-pop sensation TWICE, and Missy Elliott.

Sharing Her Journey and Happiness

Gill expressed pride in representing India on the global stage. In a Times of India interview, she called walking for Victoria’s Secret ‘a dream come true’ and highlighted the importance of visibility and representation in fashion. She also shared a playful thought, ‘My inner child would definitely say Hrithik Roshan’ when asked who she’d love to walk the ramp with.

She also offered fans a peek behind the scenes, captioning her photos “a Punjabi princess” and thanking her team for making her feel “seen, loved, confident, and empowered.” She also reflected on how surreal it felt to bring her heritage to one of the world’s biggest fashion stages.

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Inclusion and Iconic Moments

This year’s show also marked a broader shift for Victoria’s Secret, which embraced diversity like never before. The runway featured more non-traditional faces, including Olympic gymnast Suni Lee and WNBA star Angel Reese, both making their debuts. Under Selman’s creative vision, the brand’s revival aimed to celebrate individuality, authenticity, and body positivity.

Amid the spotlight on stars like Jasmine Tookes, who opened the show nine months pregnant, and the return of Gigi and Bella Hadid, it was Neelam Gill who truly made her mark, a proud moment for Indian representation on the global fashion stage.