Fans Do a Double-Take as dELiA*s Catalog Model Shares Memories from the Clothing Brand 30 Years Later (Exclusive)

**Return of a Nineties Icon: Rachael Foster Revisits Her Modelling Days with dELiA*s**

Rachael Foster, who began her modelling career at the tender age of 17, recently found herself reminiscing about her teenage years when the iconic brand dELiA*s made a return, this time in collaboration with Target. As she scrolled through TikTok, the familiar dELiA*s logo appeared, evoking a wave of nostalgia from her days in front of the camera nearly three decades ago.

Foster’s journey with dELiA*s began when the brand sought her out through her modelling agency for one of her earliest catalog jobs. In a casting process that prioritised personality over perfection, she remembers being instructed to simply “have fun” while showcasing the clothes. This laid-back atmosphere, replete with music and camaraderie among the young models, became a defining feature of her experiences during that era.

“It was surreal to be standing in front of the dELiA*s display at Target,” Foster recounted in an exclusive interview with PEOPLE. She added, “It immediately took me back to being 17, having fun with the other girls while the music played.” Excited to share her story, Foster documented her visit on TikTok, showcasing an old catalog photo of herself alongside the newly-launched clothing line.

The nostalgia extended beyond mere reflection; Foster still possesses a treasure trove of memorabilia preserved by her mother from her modelling days, including three large containers filled with magazines, Polaroids, and around 30 original dELiA*s catalogs. “I will never get rid of them,” she declared, expressing that each catalog brings back vivid memories of specific shoots and the joyful moments shared with her fellow models. “We were a family,” she reminisced.

Foster’s modelling experience with dELiA*s was a source of immense pride for her at the time, although she admits that the lasting impact of the brand was not initially apparent. “I knew it was a really cool job, but I don’t think we realised what dELiA*s would become to a generation of girls,” she reflected. Her youthful perspective was centred around having fun and enjoying the creative process, rather than any notion of setting trends or influencing a culture.

Upon inspecting the new dELiA*s collection at Target, Foster noted many familiar elements, from vibrant graphics to playful designs that harked back to the brand’s original spirit. However, she also recognised a shift in approach. “If I could change one thing, I’d make it a little less posed,” she commented, advocating for the authenticity that was so vital to the dELiA*s experience of her youth. For Foster, the magic of those days stemmed from the genuine joy shared with her peers rather than the polished poses typical in today’s modelling.

Following her TikTok post, Foster noticed an outpouring of connection from viewers who, like her, held on to fond memories of the catalogues. Many commenters recalled their own experiences of eagerly anticipating each new issue, while some recognised Foster from her old photographs before she even introduced the imagery. Such interactions underscored the enduring legacy of dELiA*s and its profound impact on those who grew up in the ’90s.

This recent trip down memory lane has provided Foster with a renewed appreciation for her teenage job, which had felt like a unique way to earn money back then. Now, she sees those catalogues as invaluable heirlooms of her career and her adolescent years. With a sense of hope, she mused, “Maybe one day, if I’m lucky enough to have a granddaughter, I’ll get to sit down with her and share all of those memories.”

In a world that often forgets the past, Rachael Foster’s experience serves as a reminder of the power of nostalgia and the connections we forge with brands that resonate on a deeply personal level. dELiA*s might be back, but for Foster, the true return is the rekindling of memories that continue to shape her life, even decades later.