The Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show is returning after a five-year break. Its executives canceled the show in 2019 due to low ratings and controversy, including criticism of the brand’s lack of diversity and their ties to controversial individuals. During this time. the fashion industry struggled with backlash amid the body positivity, transgender rights, and #MeToo movements.
Victoria’s Secret is a well-known lingerie brand that is known for its glamorous aesthetic and daring marketing campaigns. It was founded in 1977 and rose to popularity as a cultural icon thanks to its lavish fashion shows and captivating campaigns. Victoria’s Secret runway shows were a defining feature of the brand’s identity, captivating audiences with lavish displays and celebrity performances.
These shows turned lingerie into a spectacle, featuring supermodels like Gisele Bündchen and Adriana Lima, with musical performances by major artists. Each event was a blend of artistry and fantasy, with elaborate sets, star-studded musical performances, iconic Angel wings, and some of the world’s most famous supermodels who are known as the “VS Angels.” The shows combined high fashion and entertainment and showcased detailed lingerie designs that pushed creative boundaries.
Though the shows were criticized over the years for their lack of diversity and unrealistic beauty standards, they are still an important part of fashion history. With the brand’s recent revival attempt, fans are looking forward to a return that combines nostalgia with a new, inclusive vision.
Over time, the runway has grown into a platform for highlighting female empowerment and body positivity, despite challenges and criticisms about representation. Recent advertisements have used models with a wider range of sizes and backgrounds, reflecting a shift toward inclusivity that connects with modern viewers. As the industry evolves, the upcoming shows have the potential to ensure Victoria’s Secret’s continued relevance in the fashion industry.
The Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show is back this year, and they have enlisted three major female stars to perform on stage. Lisa and Tyla, ELLE cover girls, and iconic singer Cher will take the stage for the show’s first all-female performance lineup.
The recent runway show drew a wide range of emotions, including disappointment with the haircuts, which lacked the trademark blowout look that many people attempt to recreate. Many were also disappointed with the sets in comparison to previous extravagant sets based on themes, and also the questionable costumes.
Millbrook Senior Ruqaya Al Hashimi says, “The videography and camera work could have been better, same with the lingerie, [and] it lacked Swarovski & diamonds. There was no blowout hair this year and the models’ quirky bubbly personalities did not shine as much. The lack of a raised stage lowered the energy of the room. The performers weren’t interacting with the model or had any energy or dance moves. Also, where were the videos that they would post on YouTube to market the show, like angels singing to a song, backstage 5-part documentary – from costume making, venue choosing, casting, etc.. These videos made us viewers feel a part of the show and more connected.”
Nonetheless, many heartwarming moments were seen on stage such as Dylan Sprouse supporting his wife Barbara Palvin at the show with cardboard cutouts of their pets, “I figured it would make her smile. It’s gotta be nerve-racking up there.” Also, Palestinian supermodel Gigi Hadid started the show, while her sister Bella Hadid closed it in the fifth part, just before Tyra Banks’ appearance as the finale. These models walked along with new and diverse models, all with a wide range of sizes.
