Victoria’s Secret model calls out ‘insensitive and unrealistic’ pressures

A Victoria's Secret model has criticised the pressures associated with the fashion industry calling them "insensitive and unrealistic."

Nina Agdal said that the harsh reality of the industry left her with "paralysing social anxiety" from a very young age. The Danish model was also dropped from a magazine cover shoot because her body did not "fit their market." She took to Instagram to say that she was "appalled" by the treatment she had received. She wrote:

"Today, I’m disappointed and appalled at the still very harsh reality of this industry. A few months ago, I agreed to shoot with a creative team I believed in and was excited to collaborate with. "When my agent received an unapologetic email concluding they would not run my cover/story because it “did not reflect well on my talent” and “did not fit their market,” the publisher claimed my look deviated from my portfolio."

Agdal went on to say that the publisher claimed she did not fit her "sample sizes" and that they would not be running the cover for this reason. The 25-year-old said that she has an "athletic build and healthy curves" and that she is now more comfortable in her own skin than she has ever been. She went on:

"After a tough year of taking a step back from the insensitive and unrealistic pressures of this industry and dealing with paralyzing social anxiety, I walked into that shoot as a 25-year-old WOMAN. "I am not built as a runway model and have never been stick thin. Now more than ever, I embrace my curves and work diligently in the gym to stay strong and most of all, sane."

https://www.instagram.com/p/BdOWn_SnKpd/?taken-by=ninaagdal Last year, Agdal took a break from modelling due to the negative impact it was having on her health. The model also said that the publisher's decision made her realise that women need to "build each other up" instead of tearing each other down. She said that she has come a long way since she was a "16-year-old GIRL with unhealthy and insufficient eating habits." Agdal's post was highly praised online with many people congratulating her for calling out the industry. They also thanked her for her honesty regarding her mental health and the pressures she and other women face.