Elina, the only Sri Lankan girl who participated in the 'Victoria's Secret' fashion show

18-year-old Elina Gunawardena recently made history by becoming the first Sri Lankan model to walk the runway at the 'Victoria's Secret' fashion show, considered one of the world's most prominent fashion platforms.

The massive fashion festival, held on October 18, 2026, in Los Angeles, USA, brought together leading international models, celebrities, and many fashion industry elites. Elina, who goes by the professional name 'Elina G', shared the stage that day with world-renowned supermodels such as Gigi Hadid, Bella Hadid, Adriana Lima, Alessandra Ambrosio, Irina Shayk, and Ashley Graham. The event was also enlivened by live performances from international artists Tate McRae, Megan Thee Stallion, Megan Moroney, and the music group KATSEYE.

Elina, the daughter of Tusal Gunawardena, a talented windsurfing champion born in Aluthgama and a model for the Levi's brand in the 1990s, and a Swiss mother, has thus taken her father's modeling inspiration to an international level.

Even before joining the Victoria's Secret stage, she had established a strong name in the global fashion industry. She has contributed to world-renowned luxury fashion brands such as Chanel, Hermès, and Isabel Marant at Paris Fashion Week. Furthermore, Elina's opportunity to grace the cover of 'Vogue Netherlands' magazine is another notable achievement in her professional journey.

With her historic step, Sri Lankans are responding warmly through social media. Her natural beauty and international look have been praised by many, with some suggesting she should represent Sri Lanka in the 'Miss Universe' pageant. However, others point out that international fashion platforms like this are more suitable for the image she has built as a supermodel than beauty pageants.

Nevertheless, Elina's proud appearance at this globally recognized massive fashion festival marks a significant milestone in Sri Lanka's modeling industry and opens a new path for local talents to step onto the world's highest fashion stages.