There is an old Spanish saying: “He who persists, achieves.” Perseverance in pursuing her dream has finally paid off for 28-year-old Abby Champion. The American model has just announced that she will take part in a show by the famous lingerie brand—a true triumph after several unsuccessful castings in the past. This makes the event doubly special for her, as it will be her first major runway appearance since her unexpected wedding to actor Patrick Schwarzenegger, the 32-year-old son of Arnold Schwarzenegger and Maria Shriver, known for his role in “The White Lotus.”
Abby’s path in the fashion world has been filled with success. She first caught attention when she accompanied her sister Baskin, also a model, to a beauty contest. Since then, she has worked with industry giants such as Chanel, Prada, Ralph Lauren, and Dolce & Gabbana. The invitation to the Victoria’s Secret show marks another milestone in her impressive career, which began gaining international momentum back in 2017. Now, she will share the stage with top modeling stars like Adriana Lima, Irina Shayk, Doutzen Kroes, Candice Swanepoel, Barbara Palvin, and Alessandra Ambrosio.
Interestingly, the model had tried at least twice before to take part in this grand show, which combines the presentation of the latest trends with live performances by famous musicians. Photographers captured her at casting calls in 2016 and 2017. However, at the time, she did not make it through the final selection and the public never saw her on the coveted runway. Nevertheless, she was among the models featured in the company’s fashion film “The Tour ’23” in 2023. It wasn’t a traditional runway show, but it marked the brand’s return to viral presentations after a long break since 2018.
Although she just recently, on September 11, took part in a show for Simkhai, her upcoming job will be her true return to the world stage after her secret wedding. The couple, who began their relationship in 2015 and got engaged in December 2023, exchanged vows at a private ceremony at the Gozzer Ranch golf club in Idaho, USA, on September 6 this year. For the main celebration, the model chose a custom-made wedding dress by Danielle Frankel crafted from silk and wool, featuring a column silhouette, high neckline, and a deep open back.
