“Love Island”'s Olandria Carthen Reveals the Exact 'Breakout Moment' That Leveled Up Her Fashion Game

Catherine SantinoFri, June 19, 2026 at 5:40 PM UTC

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Olandria Carthen.Credit: (Photo by Jamie McCarthy/WireImage) -

Love Island star Olandria Carthen revealed the "breakout moment" that leveled up her fashion career in a new interview with Cosmopolitan

Carthen said the 2025 VMAs were a "turning point" for her

The reality star made her runway debut that same month

Olandria Carthen is reflecting on her journey from reality star to style star.

In an interview with Cosmopolitanpublished on Thursday, June 18, the Love Island alum revealed the moment that served as her "breakout" into the fashion world.

"Fashion was one of the first things that truly set me apart from the Love Island of it all," she told the outlet. People started to take me more seriously."

She continued, "The VMAs were my official breakout moment into the fashion world—I was in a beautiful red dress, and it was everywhere. That's when I knew it could be a turning point in my career because I started to be a part of a different conversation. I am extremely grateful for where I come from, but one thing about me? I do stuff to elevate."

Carthen, 28, attended the 2025 VMAs in a red corset draped with sheer red fabric, plus red opera gloves and a red scarf. Her hair was styled into a sleek updo with face-framing pieces.

Olandria Carthen.Credit: (Photo by Gilbert Flores/Billboard via Getty Images)

Carthen has had a number of standout red carpet moments since, including at the 2026 Golden Globes where she wore a green mermaid-style gown.

During New York Fashion Week in September 2025, the Love Island USA season 7 star made her runway debut in the Sergio Hudson fashion show.

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Cameras captured the reality TV star walking the runway in an abstract orange, black and nude jacket with embellished sleeves that stopped just below her elbows.

The designer garment was paired with black mini shorts and accessorized with a black and gold belt to cinch her waist.  She styled it with strappy black heels and gold hoop earrings, and her nails featured a classic French tip oval manicure. Carthen rounded off her look with a sleek low bun.

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In March, she made her Sports Illustrated Swimsuit debut for the 2026 issue.

She appeared alongside Gabi Moura, Christen Goff, Katie Austin, Jena Sims, Jasmine Sanders and Ellie Thumann in the class of stars who were photographed by Katherin Goguen on the Gulf Coast beaches.

"Once a dream. Now my lifestyle," Carthen wrote on Instagram. "Extremely grateful for this opportunity & my new Sports Illustrated family."

on People

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