Barbara Palvin heard from viewers who were thrilled to see her walk the Victoria’s Secret runway six weeks after giving birth. She also heard from people who thought she ought to be at home resting. By her own estimate, the reactions were “50-50.”
The 33-year-old model spoke about the response on October 31, when she and her husband, Dylan Sprouse, hosted the Sprouse House Halloween Party in Los Angeles. It was their first Halloween as parents.
Their daughter, Sylvie, was born on September 7. At the October 18 fashion show in Los Angeles, Palvin wore two looks, a sheer pink slip and a white corset with wings.
When Palvin spotted Sprouse standing and cheering in the front row, she felt relieved. He had been away filming, and until she saw him, she had worried his flight home might get him there too late.
Palvin Explains What Made Her Runway Return Possible
Palvin said she felt overwhelmed by how much attention her return drew. She credited her family with helping her prepare for the show and encouraged other new mothers to ask for help. “Everyone’s postpartum journey is different, and this is just mine,” she told E! News.
Her parents flew in to help with Sylvie, and friends left meals at the door. Palvin was happy to be back on the runway even as she was “still healing,” she told Good Morning America.
Sprouse was struck by the attention his cheering drew. He was proud of his wife for doing something difficult and saw little reason for a partner to hold back in public. “For partners, just clap and cheer,” he said.
Palvin Shows What Was Sewn Into Her Runway Bras
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In an October 22 Instagram post, Palvin shared a photograph of herself in lace dress, pumping milk backstage. She thanked the Victoria’s Secret team for making room for what she needed that day. The crew had sewn nursing pads into her bras.
Other pictures showed Sprouse giving Sylvie a bottle and the baby wearing a onesie with tiny angel wings on the back. Palvin wrote that on an ordinary day at home, finding time to shower or sit down for a meal sometimes felt like an accomplishment.
Having a choice about when to work mattered to her. She pointed to mothers in the United States who face pressure to return within weeks of giving birth, often without paid leave, and said she wanted them to have more time and support.
Sylvie Had Two Costumes for Her First Halloween
Palvin had been planning the Halloween party for months. Even backstage at the fashion show, she had several costume options in mind for her daughter, she told People.
For their own costumes, the couple chose characters from The Nightmare Before Christmas. Palvin dressed as Oogie Boogie, and Sprouse went as Jack Skellington.
Sylvie started the evening as a princess. By the time her parents stopped for their interview, Sprouse figured she had already changed costumes. “She hit her pumpkin hour,” he said.