This past October, we launched VS & PINK Adaptive—our first-ever collections that offer Bras and Panties with magnetic closures for easy on and off, front strap adjustors, and sensory-friendly fabric.
Along with this launch, we were honored to be a part of the Runway of Dreams fashion show—showcasing models with disabilities. We spoke with the inspiring women who brought our collection to life to get to know them better and hear their stories. Read on to learn more.
Kia Brazil
Q: We want to learn a little about you—where are you from? How did you get into modeling? How about a fun fact?
A: “I’m from Milwaukee, WI. I’m a mother of two, author, and model. I started modeling about four years ago after becoming extremely ill and losing my lower extremities due to sepsis. I wanted the attention not to be so much focused around not having limbs but more focused on the beauty of that circumstance. Celebrating life and body positivity, I took it upon myself to love me and my body so much that I would one day share it with the world. Beauty truly does come in all shapes and sizes. I will continue to be an example of this!”
Q: How does lingerie make you feel?
A: “It makes me feel sexy, included, and free. There’s something about lingerie that adds so much uniqueness to my body. It allows me to show what I want.”
Q: What is sexy to you?
A: “It’s security, confidence, boldness—all within self.”
Q: Tell us about your experience with the Runway of Dreams Fashion Show. What did it mean to you to be a part of debuting VS Adaptive?
A: “Opening Runway of Dreams VS Adaptive was extraordinary—so life changing. I’m beyond thrilled we finally have brands that see us and hear us and want to be a part of this historical change in the fashion industry. Me being a part of this is so surreal.”
Q: What is your favorite feature of the new VS & PINK Adaptive Bra?
A: “It is absolutely the magnetic clips in the front of the bras—such a life saver moment. It immediately took away the dreaded thought of pulling, tugging, and twisting. Just a snap, click, and go.”
Kristina DeJesus
Q: We want to learn a little about you—where are you from? How did you get into modeling? How about a fun fact?
A: “I was born and raised in New Jersey. I got into modeling when I began my journey into advocacy in 2018, just a year after my accident, and the loss of my arm. I began with Runway of Dreams, and that opened more opportunities with GAMUT Management. One job seems to open the next set of opportunities. Fun fact: I am a nurse, have a chocolate lab tripaw (dog with 3 legs), and love traveling.”
Q: What is sexy to you?
A: “Confidence. Having confidence changes everything.”
Q: What does it mean to you to see women with disabilities being included in VS and PINK campaigns?
A: “To see women like me included in VS and PINK campaigns makes me feel welcomed. It can be very challenging to go shopping—something I used to love is something I sometimes dread now. I have to consider assistance carrying clothes and sometimes require help in a fitting room. It’s very hard to do on my own.”
Q: What’s your favorite feature of the new VS & PINK Adaptive Panty?
A: “The silky soft fabric and detailing. It allows for breathability, comfort, and still looks sexy.”
Syanne Bloom
Q: We want to learn a little about you—where are you from? How did you get into modeling? How about a fun fact?
A: “I am originally from the U.S. Virgin Islands (born and raised), but I now live in Maryland—and have for the past 16 years. I have been involved in modeling since I was a teenager. My interest in modeling started very, very young—I was a pre-teen (around 10-11). When I was in high school, I joined a club dedicated solely to modeling called ‘Sheer Perfection’. Through that club, I did my first runway show when I was 16. In adulthood, I became involved in pageants, and won the title of Miss Maryland 2015 for the Miss World Organization. Throughout my time as a titleholder, I modeled for various brands. After the onset of my conditions (around 27 years old) and the need for my power wheelchair, things changed a bit. I had to relearn how to model from a chair (when before I was able to strut down a runway in 6-inch heels). My body changed a lot as well with my conditions; however, the industry is changing, and I have been fortunate to work a lot in modeling as a multi-marginalized, disabled woman. A fun fact about me: I am an activist, and have frequented Capitol Hill, meeting with different congresspeople not just for the disabled community but for all Americans. I am also a political science major and wrote a children’s book about rare diseases not too long ago.”
Q: How does lingerie make you feel?
A: “It probably sounds cliché, but lingerie makes me feel exactly how it should: sexy! For as long as I’ve been a content creator, I’ve incorporated lingerie into my posts. Creating art with my body in pieces that make me feel amazing not only makes me love my body more, but it also helps others who see me, and my content feel more comfortable. If it was up to me, I’d wear lingerie 24/7.”
Q: What does it mean to you to see women with disabilities being included in VS and PINK campaigns?
A: “Disability doesn’t discriminate by age, race, or body type. Seeing women with disabilities included in the entire process of the VS & PINK Adaptive line and campaign is monumental, and I hope that one day, it will be seen as normal. Women with disabilities wear panties and bras. We like to feel sexy, like any other woman. It’s about time that we have truly adaptive products that also look gorgeous. I am proud to see it being done effectively.”
Q: What is your favorite feature of the new VS & PINK Adaptive Bra?
A: I love that it has a magnetic closure in THE FRONT, and there is no struggle to connect the magnets. It also only comes off when you want to take it off. This is not a regular magnet. I wore the bra secretly under my clothes for almost a year, and the magnet never lost its strength, even after numerous washes. It is also incredibly comfortable.”
Jessica Frew
Q: We want to learn a little about you—where are you from? How did you get into modeling? How about a fun fact?
A: “I have Cerebral Palsy and communicate with a Tobii eye gaze computer due to my CP. I’m from South Hackensack NJ, and I’m 22 years old. I always dreamed of having a career in the entertainment/modeling industry, but I put my dream to the side because ever since I was young, individuals who don’t know me automatically think I have an intellectual disability—not a physical disability—and I don’t understand everything because I’m nonverbal. So, they’d say very mean stuff right in front of me without realizing I could understand everything, which made me feel worthless for 17 years. I didn’t even have the confidence to communicate with my computer in public or even with my family unless something made me have the confidence in myself to step out of my comfort zone to fight for my dream. I want to make a difference in this industry for individuals with disabilities. When I’m reading/pre-programming my lines into my Eyegaze computer or modeling for a brand, I realize I can make a difference. There’s a tiny percentage of disabled, non-verbal actors and models in the industry, and I dream of opening opportunities for other non-verbal actors and models with communication devices. I want to show producers and brands that we can act and model like every verbal actor/model, but they need to give us a chance to prove ourselves.”
Q: How does lingerie make you feel?
A: “I can’t even describe the feeling I get when I wear and am photographed in lingerie. It makes me feel alive and so confident. I love wearing and posting myself in lingerie to inspire individuals to be confident and love their bodies.”
Q: What is sexy to you?
A: “Sexy is within you—if you have confidence, self-worth, and love for your body. Soon, the world will realize what sexy truly means with the new VS & PINK Adaptive lingerie line.”
Q: Tell us about your experience with the Runway of Dreams Fashion Show. What did it mean to you to be a part of debuting VS Adaptive?
A: “I can’t even describe how I felt being on the runway and being a part of debuting VS Adaptive. It’s just a dream come true for me because ever since I was a teenager, I dreamed of being the first disabled, non-verbal model with communication devices, and I thought that dream was never going happen. But I achieved my dream to help make history for women with disabilities, especially those who are nonverbal and communicate with communication devices throughout the world. I’m still in shock and hope to continue to represent the disabled, nonverbal community with VS & PINK Adaptive in the future.”
Q: What does it mean to you to see women with disabilities being included in VS and PINK campaigns?
A: “It actually makes me get emotional and means the world to me because it changes the history of individuals with disabilities and how our society sees us by having women with disabilities being included in VS & PINK campaigns. It will inspire little girls with disabilities to have confidence in themselves and go for their dreams.”
April Lockhart
Q: We want to learn a little about you—where are you from? How did you get into modeling? How about a fun fact?
A: “A New Jersey girl! I wouldn’t consider myself a model —but I have been creating content online for a few years in different ways. My go-to fun fact is that my birthday is 4th of July.”
Q: How does lingerie make you feel?
A: Empowered, like my best self.
Q: What is sexy to you?
A: Powerful, confident, carefree. Secure in who you are.
Q: Tell us about your experience with the Runway of Dreams Fashion Show. What did it mean to you to be a part of debuting VS Adaptive?
A: “It was a really full-circle moment for me. I used to intern at VS in college, so to be on this side of a launch like this felt surreal. To see footage of myself up there still is a pinch-me moment.”
Q: What does it mean to you to see women with disabilities being included in VS and PINK campaigns?
A: “It’s major. It feels like something we’ve been wanting and hoping for finally coming to fruition. I can imagine what it would mean to my younger self, to see someone who looked like her on a runway—that’s all I could think about while walking.”
Elicia Tate
Q: We want to learn a little about you—where are you from? How did you get into modeling? How about a fun fact?
A: “I am from Worcester, Massachusetts. I was always interested in modeling when I was younger and non-disabled, but I had no luck with my height/body type. When I became disabled, I didn’t think modeling would be anything I could do. However, seeing fellow disabled members of my community in the industry inspired me to submit myself for the Runway of Dreams show, GAMUT Management, and Zebedee talent. I feel like life gave me a way to hold onto my dream. Fun fact: I am a cosplayer who enjoys building and dressing up in cosplays.”
Q: What is sexy to you?
A: “Someone who is ambitious and confident.”
Q: Tell us about your experience with the Runway of Dreams Fashion Show. What did it mean to you to be a part of debuting VS Adaptive?
A: “Working with the Runway of Dreams fashion show was awesome. This being my first year and getting the opportunity to be part of this collection is mind blowing to me. Having the privilege to share the runway with such powerful ladies and premier these pieces was a dream. I would have never thought my disability would bring me to a big moment in VS history.”
Q: What does it mean to you to see women with disabilities being included in VS and PINK campaigns?
A: “I always idolized the Victoria’s Secret models and their perfection, even prior to my disability. To see VS and PINK include women with disabilities is empowering! I know everyone isn’t up for a seat at that table, but knowing you have a chair (no pun intended) is an elated feeling. It truly does matter, being heard, seen, and valued. Women with disabilities do exist and want/deserve to feel sexy.”
Misty Diaz
Q: We want to learn a little about you—where are you from? How did you get into modeling? How about a fun fact?
A: “I’m from Los Angeles, California. My first big gig was with Runway of Dreams. I met Mindy Scheier (CEO of GAMUT Management), and after walking a runway show with ROD, I started working with more brands.”
Q: What is sexy to you?
A: “Honestly, for me, it’s confidence. After many years of not accepting that I had a disability, I struggled with feeling confident. Looking back, I didn’t ever feel sexy. But now that I’ve worked through that and have confidence and acceptance, I feel sexy.”
Q: Tell us about your experience with the Runway of Dreams Fashion Show. What did it mean to you to be a part of debuting VS Adaptive?
A: “When I was first approached to be one of the models, I just couldn’t believe it. I remember my mom getting the VS catalogs and I would go through them and not see anybody who looked like me. Fast forward… here I am being approached to first, contribute to the development process (with GAMUT) that I helped bring to life and second, walk in the ROD show as a model to debut VS Adaptive with other models with disabilities. Honestly, it brought me to tears.”
Q: What does it mean to you to see women with disabilities being included in VS and PINK campaigns?
A: “Representation matters. Growing up, I didn’t know anyone who had a similar disability as me until my 20s. That created a lot of struggles for me mentally. So, to be able to see a campaign with women who looked like me and who faced obstacles getting dressed like me, I felt heard and seen.”
Q: What is your favorite feature of the new VS & PINK Adaptive Bra?
A: “Magnetic closure in the front. I used to put my bra on while sitting on the floor because the struggle to clasp it together from the back is so hard. Now, I can sit comfortably on a chair or stand against a wall to put my bra on. Tell me that wouldn’t give anyone a boost of confidence and sexiness!”
Steffi Gonzalez
Q: We want to learn a little about you—where are you from? How did you get into modeling? How about a fun fact?
A: “I was born in Colombia and raised in Miami, FL. I got into modeling in 2021 after my first Runway of Dreams show. I was captivated by what modeling meant to me and the potential I had to make a difference in the fashion industry. A fun fact about me: VS was the very first push-up bra I ever wore, and VS bras are all I own to this day!”
Q: How does lingerie make you feel?
A: “It unlocks an extra level of confidence in me; it makes me feel feminine and powerful.”
Q: Tell us about your experience with the Runway of Dreams Fashion Show. What did it mean to you to be a part of debuting VS Adaptive?
A: “I grew up admiring and eventually shopping at VS. It was always that confidence boost for me, so to make that transition into being a part of such a special and groundbreaking launch was such a unique experience. For me, it meant that what I felt in 2021 (that I could make a difference in the fashion industry) was true, and this was the day I got to truly make a difference.”
Q: What does it mean to you to see women with disabilities being included in VS and PINK campaigns?
A: “It is a natural step forward towards true inclusion and diversity. It means that women with disabilities are no longer an afterthought and are now being valued and given the deserved spotlight. We all wear clothing, so why not be part of campaigns?”
Q: What’s your favorite feature of the new VS & PINK Adaptive Panty?
A: “Getting dressed in my wheelchair from the waist down has always been a workout for me. Being able to put on and take off my bottoms from the side is a game changer that I wish I had since I was a little girl.”