It was Fashion TV that opened up the world of fashion to Malayali audiences in 2001. Now, a woman from a small town in Kerala has walked the runway at the world-famous Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show, proving that when you dare to dream, you can break all barriers.
Yes, 25-year-old Ravleen Varghese from Kodumon in Pathanamthitta has set a new example that raw talent, hard work and confidence can take you to any world stage.
She made her Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show debut on October 18, joining an international lineup that included Adriana Lima, Alessandra Ambrosio, Candice Swanepoel, Behati Prinsloo, Bella Hadid and Gigi Hadid. She rubbed shoulders with some of the biggest names in modelling on the runway.
Her appearance was a moment of celebration for many in Kerala, as it is not easy to get handpicked for the show. A report by the Indian fashion commentary platform Diet Sabya says that Varghese became the first Malayali model to walk the Victoria’s Secret runway.
Though Ravleen never planned to pursue a modelling career during her college days, she got into it unexpectedly after moving to Delhi to study design, when a modelling scout selected her for an assignment.
In a 2025 interview with The Nod, she said, “Modelling wasn’t a childhood dream; it honestly felt too far-fetched growing up.”
However, that small assignment opened up a new world of fashion modelling for her, and she went on to land big-ticket shows, including designer Prabal Gurung’s Spring/Summer 2025 presentation at New York Fashion Week.
Diet Sabya highlighted Varghese’s debut in an Instagram post on October 19, describing her appearance as a milestone for Malayali representation in international fashion. The post read: “A star is born. The first Malayali model to walk the show and the latest to join the incredible line of Indian Victoria’s Secret girlies.”
Her favourite Malayalam tracks and a minimum of seven to eight hours of sleep keep her body and soul fit. “Sleep. Like, real sleep, seven to eight hours minimum. Then I wake up, blast my favourite Malayalam tracks, and dance through my skincare routine. If call time isn’t brutal, I try to squeeze in a walk. I always show up to work in an outfit that makes me feel bold and confident.”
