In a move that reverberates far beyond the confines of a single Instagram post, supermodel Paulina Porizkova, at 60, has redefined the fashion industry’s relationship with authenticity. By stripping down to her underwear in a candid “get ready with me” video, she intentionally showcased her unretouched body—scars, wrinkles, and all—delivering a powerful rebuke to the age-old ideals of perfection and setting a new standard for what it means to be influential, vulnerable, and commercially potent in the digital age.
The Post Heard ‘Round the Industry
It began as innocuously as any other GRWM video flooding social media. Paulina Porizkova, a figure etched into the supermodel pantheon, stood in her closet debating what to wear. The choice—a quirky squirrel sweatshirt selected for her fiancé, Jeff Greenstein—was relatable. But what happened next was revolutionary.
Casually, she removed her robe, standing for a moment in a ThirdLove bra and Victoria’s Secret underwear. But this was no calculated pose. Instead, she deliberately drew the viewer's eye to what the industry has spent a century erasing: the elegant silver scar from a hip replacement, the soft folds of skin, the natural architecture of a body that has lived for six decades. It was a moment of profound, unapologetic honesty.
Her accompanying words cut straight to the heart of the matter. “If you’re like me, you will also zero in on the shape of my body—and hopefully—think with relief ‘ah, she’s not perfect either,’” she wrote. “Our imperfections are what make us a perfect original.” In that single statement, Porizkova dismantled a fantasy and replaced it with a far more compelling reality.
A Masterclass in Modern Branding
While the cultural impact is undeniable, the strategic brilliance of this moment lies in its commercial implications. The brands Porizkova chose to wear were not incidental; they became central characters in her narrative of authenticity.
In the frame were three key players:
- ThirdLove: The bra she wore is from a brand built on a foundation of inclusive sizing and representing “real bodies.” The alignment is seamless. As CEO Heidi Zak has stated, “We want our customers to see themselves in our products—at every age and at every stage.” Porizkova’s post is the ultimate, organic fulfillment of that mission.
- Victoria’s Secret: For decades, this brand was the global arbiter of a singular, unattainable female ideal. Seeing its underwear and slippers on Porizkova’s celebrated, imperfect body is a powerfully subversive act. It signals a new era where the consumer, not the corporation, dictates the brand’s meaning.
- Rag & Bone: Her choice of their sweatpant jeans underscores the entire theme—comfort, reality, and life as it’s actually lived.
This wasn't a sponsored post in the traditional sense, yet it provided more value than any multi-million dollar campaign could. It demonstrated that authenticity is no longer a marketing buzzword; it is the core driver of brand loyalty and relevance. Consumers, particularly women, are starved for representation that reflects their own lived experiences.
The Intergenerational GRWM: More Than an Outfit
Porizkova’s video also brilliantly co-opts a trend dominated by Gen Z and imbues it with new, profound meaning. The “get ready with me” format is typically associated with youthful explorations of style, makeup, and fleeting aesthetics. In Porizkova’s hands, it becomes a meditation on self-acceptance.
She isn't just getting ready for her day; she is preparing to face a world that still struggles with female aging. Her vulnerability transforms a simple video into a political statement. It challenges the pervasive ageism within fashion and visual media, proving that influence is not the exclusive domain of the young. It belongs to anyone with a compelling story to tell.
The viral reaction across platforms, from Instagram comments to trending YouTube segments, confirms the immense appetite for this narrative. The praise isn't just for her beauty or bravery, but for the sense of relief she has offered millions of women who feel seen, validated, and empowered.
Fashion’s Final Frontier: The Unretouched Reality
For years, the fashion industry has flirted with the concept of inclusivity. It has made strides in racial diversity and size representation. Yet, age—and the physical realities that accompany it—has remained the final frontier.
Porizkova’s unretouched post is a watershed moment. It serves as a direct challenge to brands and publications that still rely on the artifice of airbrushing and flawlessness. It proves that the most powerful imagery is not that which is perfect, but that which is true.
This single act accelerates an already emergent cultural movement that values lived experience over manufactured fantasy. It will undoubtedly reshape casting decisions, influence editorial direction, and force brands to confront a simple truth: their customers want to see themselves, not an impossible ideal. Paulina Porizkova didn't just get dressed; she dressed down an entire industry’s outdated conventions, and in doing so, proved that the most beautiful thing a woman can wear is her own story.
