Photo via @IamMariaBorges
Angolan supermodel Maria Borges made history at last night’s Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show when she strutted onto the catwalk wearing something no other Angel had worn before: a coily, cropped Afro.
“AFRICA, this one is for you! I LOVE YOU,” she wrote in an Instagram caption, adding the hashtags #MBmakinghistory and #afrohair.
The 23-year-old had actually debuted the stunning hairstyle earlier this fall during Fashion Week, but was not sure how Victoria’s Secret would welcome her drastic change for their televised event.
Borges told her agent she "wanted to walk in the Victoria’s Secret show with [her] natural hair,” reportsEssence. “I was nervous, but I had to do it,” she said. “When they said ‘Yes’ I didn’t expect it, but I was so happy!”
And who exactly convinced Borges to undergo what the natural hair community commonly refers to as “the big chop?” None other than Givenchy Artistic Director Riccardo Tisci. The renowned Italian fashion designer reportedly encouraged the supermodel to ditch her hair extensions and embrace her own.
“He asked me to change my hairstyle,” Borges reportedly told Style.com. “He had asked me last season as well, but I had booked an H&M campaign that same week and at the time I wasn’t feeling as comfortable with change. This season I finally felt ready, and I’m glad that I did.”
Viewers eager to watch Borges break fashion barriers can tune in to The Victoria's Secret Fashion Show 2015 on CBS, Tuesday, December 8 at 10PM ET. In the meantime, check out these 10 other times Maria Borges has and her TWA (natural hair talk for “teeny weeny Afro”) have slayed the runway, the sidewalk...basically every place she’s graced with her presence.
AFRICA, this one is for you! I LOVE YOU. Chère Afrique bien aimée... ?❣? #MBmakinghistory #afrohair #bigwings #vsfashionshow #vsfs2015 #AFRICA A photo posted by Maria Borges (@iammariaborges) on
? Good morning! I still can't believe this happened yesterday. Here's a picture of my first look at this year's @victoriassecret fashion show. #vsfashionshow #vsfs2015 #afroshorthair ? Bom dia! Eu ainda não acredito que isso aconteceu ontem! Aqui está uma das foto do meu primeiro look este ano Victoria's Secret fashion. A photo posted by Maria Borges (@iammariaborges) on
Tomorrow, this Angolan-born dreamer will be walking her 3rd #VSFS in a row, whilst rocking her Afro natural hair. All I can say is THANK YOU, I don't take it for granted! ❣?❣ #MBmakinghistory @victoriassecret @ed_razek @johndavidpfeiffer @10magazine @imgmodels A photo posted by Maria Borges (@iammariaborges) on
After the show it's the after party! ??? #vsafterparty #pinkcarpet #mariaborges Dress: @GabrielCadena Jewelry: @ColetteJewelry Stylist: @NickNelsonStylist A photo posted by Maria Borges (@iammariaborges) on
WORK OUT IN FULL EFFECT ON A SUNDAY! 2 more days until the show! Let's do this, Team MB! ?? #trainlikeanangel #victoriassecret #vsfs2015 #loopRW #mariaborges A photo posted by Maria Borges (@iammariaborges) on
Lady in Red! A photo posted by Maria Borges (@iammariaborges) on
Closeup by ? @kengraystudio, portraying African beauty at its best??? #africanwomenrock #afrohair #happyhair A photo posted by Maria Borges (@iammariaborges) on
Done for the day! Big kisses to everyone and thank you for the support. I don't take it for granted ? #hardworkpaysoff ?? A photo posted by Maria Borges (@iammariaborges) on
Shout out to all my ladies owning their natural AFRO hair! Beauty is in the eyes of the beholder! ?? #confidenceiskey #weareallbeautiful A photo posted by Maria Borges (@iammariaborges) on
A photo posted by Maria Borges (@iammariaborges) on