NRI PULSE STAFF REPORT
British-Indian supermodel Neelam Gill, whose grandparents hail from Punjab, India, made waves once again on the global fashion stage as she graced the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show 2025 in a soft pink lingerie ensemble paired with a sheer, flowing skirt.
Gill, who first walked for the iconic American brand last year, returned this season as the only Indian model in the lineup—earning headlines as the first Victoria’s Secret model of Punjabi descent. Her confident walk and graceful poise were met with loud applause.
The 30-year-old model, born in Coventry, England, has been open about her Punjabi-Sikh roots and the importance of visibility for South Asians in global fashion. “Growing up, I never saw anyone who looked like me,” she told Vogue India earlier this year. “It’s empowering to take up space and celebrate who we are—unapologetically.”
Gill’s pink look, which featured delicate lace detailing and minimal accessories, was part of the “Ethereal Bloom” collection, a theme celebrating femininity and renewal. Styled with soft waves and glowing skin, her appearance embodied both elegance and empowerment.
Since her modeling debut at age 18, Neelam Gill has worked with major brands such as Burberry, Dior, and L’Oréal. But her recurring presence at Victoria’s Secret—a quintessentially American runway institution—marks a new chapter in the brand’s evolving narrative of inclusivity.
For many in the Indian and Punjabi diaspora, Gill’s success is more than a fashion milestone—it’s a cultural moment. Her presence on the runway sends a message to young South Asian women around the world: beauty and confidence transcend borders.
