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Image via Versace

For the first time in Versace history, plus-size models walked the runways for its Spring 2021 show during Milan Fashion Week.

Jill Kortleve, Alva Claire, and Precious Lee were the brand’s first plus-size models to strut the platform last week while wearing pieces from Donatella Versace’s utopian underwater concept, ‘Versacepolis’.

Kortleve is also noted as Chanel’s first plus-size model in over 10 years. She has been becoming a regular on the runways for several brands including Alexander McQueen and Fendi.

The new milestone prompted her to express her excitement on Instagram after walking for Versace. “It’s so unbelievable to work for brands I always dreamt of working for,” she wrote.

“I hope that we open the doors for a new generation with the same dreams but who never saw themselves in the magazines or the commercials,” she added.



Both Claire and Lee also shared their emotional experience after the event on their Instagram pages.

View this post on Instagram

This is such an historical moment and I can’t believe it actually happened. Im still shaking. Im so so so proud of us @alvaclaire @preciousleexoxo .It’s so unbelievable to work for brands I always dreamt of working for. I hope that we open the doors for a new generation with the same dreams but who never saw themselves in the magazines or the commercials. Thank you for this iconic moment @pg_dmcasting @samuel_ellis @donatella_versace @versace 💚💙

A post shared by Jill Kortleve (@jilla.tequila) on Sep 25, 2020 at 2:44pm PDT

View this post on Instagram

Feel the fantasea 🔱 @preciousleexoxo models the Trésor de la Mer print from the #VersaceSS21 Collection. #Versacepolis #MFW

A post shared by Versace (@versace) on Sep 27, 2020 at 6:11am PDT

View this post on Instagram

VERSACE.VERSACE.VERSACE. Historyyyy✨ @jilla.tequila + @alvaclaire you two amazing women are stunning and I couldn’t be more proud to share this with you🙏🏾Thank you immensely @donatella_versace @versace @pg_dmcasting @samuel_ellis @kjeldgaard1 @luizmattos1906 @blackberrylizz 💙I will never forget this moment and how I felt before walking out. The power and beauty of this brand has ALWAYS inspired me & now to be the first... wow🤭

A post shared by PRECIOUS LEE (@preciousleexoxo) on Sep 26, 2020 at 5:03am PDT

View this post on Instagram

VERSACE SS21 !!!! I’m so emotional writing this, to walk for the iconic Versace has always been a huge dream of mine!! I am so proud of @preciousleexoxo @jilla.tequila and myself we made history with this and I will never forget how I feel right now! This moment is for all of us!!! I’m full of love!! Thank you so much @pg_dmcasting @samuel_ellis @versace @donatella_versace and my sweet @kjeldgaard1 ❤️

A post shared by ALVA (@alvaclaire) on Sep 26, 2020 at 3:23am PDT

[via PAPER Magazine, cover image via Versace]

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