A plus-size model has sparked a lively debate among her followers after revealing the white gown she chose for her wedding welcome celebration.
Riley Hemson, who tied the knot with her fiancé Vita Tomoana over the weekend, took to Instagram to showcase the ensemble she wore on the eve of her nuptials.
The dress, which boasted a distinctive woven corset and a mermaid-style silhouette, received mixed reactions. While many fans praised the unique design, others felt it did not flatter her figure.
Featuring a long frilled skirt and a standout Basque waistline, the gown became a talking point for its bold fashion statement.
One online commenter remarked, “I think she is beautiful, but yikes, she’s been planning the wedding for so long and that’s the dress?”
Another critic chimed in, labeling it “unflattering,” while someone else echoed the sentiment, saying, “Agreed! She’s very pretty. The dress is just a mess!”
A plus-size model has left her fans divided after she unveiled the white gown she wore for her wedding welcome party
Riley Hemson, who married her fiancé Vita Tomoana over the weekend, shared videos to Instagram showing off the dress she donned the day before her wedding
‘That is so odd. It looks like six dresses in one, with a basket as the corset,’ one user commented.
However, there were some who pointed out the woven detailing on the corset may be a nod to the Māori culture of her partner Vita.
‘I think the corset part looks similar to traditional Māori flax weaving (harakeke). If Vita is Māori this could be paying homage to his culture,’ someone noted.
‘Or many other Pasifika cultures. I know the dress/her style isn’t everyone’s taste but it’s totally on brand for her and I think she looks lovely.’
‘Uhhhh it’s a cultural thing, no?’ added another.
‘Riley I love how your dress bodice looks like harakeke a nod to your new Māori last name,’ a third echoed.
Many other fans sang their praises of the dress.
‘Incredible,’ ‘Pretty,’ and ‘Beautiful,’ were just some of the many supportive words Riley received.
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Should wedding fashion prioritize personal expression or flattering tradition?
However, the unique woven corset and mermaid silhouette left some fans divided, with many loving the look while others deemed it ‘unflattering’
The influencer married her fiancé Vita Tomoana over the weekend
The gown featured a long, frilled skirt with a woven corset and a distinctive Basque waistline as the focal point of the look
‘YES YES YES YES!!!!!!’ someone else exclaimed, while many others said Riley was ‘gorgeous’ and looked like the ‘prettiest wife’.
‘You are absolutely incredible sis! And what a GORG dress!’ one user wrote, as another fan added: ‘Amazing. Unreal.’
‘Your smile lights up this hideous world we live in… Gorgeous woman inside and out!’ one person wrote.
Daily Mail has reached out to Riley for comment.
Riley, 30, and Vita got engaged in 2022, with the pair recently throwing a combined hens and bucks party in Thailand in March.
The happy couple got in some quality time with their closest friends, enjoying a day out on a luxury yacht and dinners overlooking the water.
Riley was also treated to a Justin Bieber-themed performance from friends and a night dressed in wigs to represent her numerous hairstyles over the years.
The influencer, who once worked as a paramedic, began creating online content in 2016 when she started documenting her health and weight loss journey.
She eventually transitioned into body positivity content and started her popular Realistic Running Diaries.
Riley has since launched two fashion labels – Jorja and Joseph, as well as her size-inclusive brand Remmie by Riley – catering to women from sizes 6 to 24.
