After a six-year hiatus, Victoria’s Secret had its long-awaited comeback show. On Oct. 15, 2024 in Brooklyn Navy Yard, New York, models took the runway to celebrate all the women. Victoria’s Secret reflected who they are today using wings, glamour, musical entertainment and more.
From 1995 to 2018, the company’s fashion show event was widely popular. It featured its large roster of star models known as “angels.” However, in 2019, the show was canceled due to the fashion industry facing backlash amid the body positivity, transgender and #MeToo movements. The company had also been going through a series of controversies involving its leadership hierarchy. Fortunately, in May 2024, after resolving their issues, Victoria’s Secret announced the show’s return in the fall.
The 45-minute show was streamed on multiple platforms including Instagram, Tiktok and Amazon Prime. It featured performances by K-Pop star LISA, who sang her two hit songs “Rockstar” and “MoonLit Floor,” South African singer Tyla, who sang “PUSH 2 START” and her Grammy-winning song “Water,” and pop legend Cher, who closed the show singing her top songs, “Strong Enough” and “Believe.”
The show also brought back its best-known Angels: Gigi and Bella Hadid, Jasmine Tookes, Behati Prinsloo, Barbara Palvin, Taylor Hill, Candice Swanepoel and Adriana Lima, who had retired from the brand in 2018. Claudia Schiffer walked for the second time since her first show in 1997. Iconic models Kate Moss and Carla Bruni, also the former First Lady of France, walked the Victoria’s Secret runway for the first time.
Adriana Lima coming back this year brought a lot of publicity to the show as she is one of the brand’s most prominent figures. She first walked for the Victoria’s Secret fashion show in 1999, and the following year, was officially named a “Victoria’s Secret Angel.”
“I’m glad Adriana Lima came back,” FHS sophomore Shraddha Kotakonda said. “She opened the show, so that was exciting to see.”
The first show also introduced body-positivity advocate Ashley Graham, who ensured that Victoria’s Secret would have extended sizes so that more women could see themselves represented on the runway.
The final model to walk the runway was former Angel Tyra Banks, who was Victoria’s Secret’s first Black contract and model; she did many groundbreaking things with the brand.
“I think it’s good [that Victoria Secret is back], but they were more iconic before than now,” FHS sophomore Zara Qureshi said.
Despite many people being excited about Victoria’s Secret coming back, others have strong opinions about how the fashion show is now. Some commented on social media on the Angels’ slick backs, asserting they looked odd and wishing for the 2000s blowouts instead. They believed it made the show less iconic.
It is clear that over time, Victoria’s Secret has changed, with some of these changes being positive, and others negative.
