After facing online backlash for her wedding dress choice, a plus-sized model has confidently showcased her daring reception outfit.
Riley Hemson, a 30-year-old model from New Zealand, recently tied the knot with her fiancé, Vita Tomoana. Following their wedding, some social media users criticized her bridal attire.
Unfazed by the negative comments, Riley took to Instagram this week to proudly display her eye-catching reception dress.
In a short video, she and her joyful husband, Vita, were seen arriving at their elegant reception venue.
The newlywed dazzled in a chic two-piece outfit designed by the Melbourne-based brand Atalie Studios.
The highlight of her ensemble was a strapless, handwoven corset that featured defined bustier cups, beautifully accentuating Riley’s neckline.
After copping online criticism for her eye-catching welcome party wedding dress, Aussie plus-sized model Riley Hemson has flaunted her very revealing reception ensemble
The figure-hugging dress also boasted dramatic ruffled tiers at the base, while the floor-length skirt was flared at the knee and offered a slight pooling effect.
It also showcased Riley’s shapely hips to good effect.
Riley’s post was met with a flurry of comments from friends and followers, with many fawning over her reception garb.
‘The dress line-up has been phenomenal,’ one wrote, while a second chimed in with a similar: ‘What a stunning bride!!!’
A third summed up the sentiment of the comment section with: ‘This dress is EVERYTHING queen!’
It comes after Riley shared videos to Instagram, showing off the dress she donned the day before her wedding.
However, the unique woven corset and mermaid silhouette left some fans divided, with many loving the look while others deemed it ‘unflattering’.
The gown featured a long, frilled skirt with a woven corset and a distinctive Basque waistline as the focal point of the look.
Riley shared a short clip that showed her and her beaming husband Vita Tomoana arriving at their swanky reception venue. The new bride wore a stunning two-piece ensemble from Melbourne-based label Atalie Studios
The focal point of the dress was a strapless, handwoven corset with defined bustier cups that flaunted Riley’s décolletage. The figure-hugging dress also boasted dramatic ruffled tiers at the base while the floor-length skirt was flared at the knee and offered a slight pooling effect
‘I think she is beautiful, but yikes she’s been planning the wedding so long and that’s the dress?’ one person wrote online.
‘It’s unflattering,’ another added, while someone else said: ‘Agreed! She’s very pretty. The dress is just a mess!’
‘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.
Meanwhile, many other fans sang the praises of the dress.
‘Incredible,’ ‘Pretty,’ and ‘Beautiful,’ were just some of the many supportive words Riley received.
‘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.’
It comes after Riley shared videos to Instagram, showing off the dress she donned the day before her wedding. However, the unique woven corset and mermaid silhouette left some fans divided, with many loving the look while others deemed it ‘unflattering’
‘I think she is beautiful, but yikes she’s been planning the wedding so long and that’s the dress?’ one person wrote online. ‘It’s unflattering,’ another added, while someone else said: ‘Agreed! She’s very pretty. The dress is just a mess!’
It wasn’t all criticism, though, with many fans swooning over the dress
Riley’s actual wedding dress also drew criticism, with fans sharply split over its fit, construction and styling. The dress was designed by celebrity couturier Lillian Khallouf and much of the criticism has focussed on the bodice and shaping
‘Your smile lights up this hideous world we live in… Gorgeous woman inside and out!’ one person wrote.
Riley’s actual wedding dress also drew criticism, with fans sharply split over its fit, construction and styling.
The dress was designed by celebrity couturier Lillian Khallouf and much of the criticism has focussed on the bodice and shaping.
Several users also questioned how Riley’s wedding landed in Vogue magazine, which published exclusive photos of the event online and featured an interview with the bride this week.
‘Why would you want your boobs to look like this?’ one user questioned, while another asked: ‘Why would you intentionally want a mini third boob on the side? It’s just a terrible cut for her shape.’
Riley and Vita were engaged in 2022, with the pair recently throwing a combined hens and bucks party in Thailand.
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.
