New Show, New Rules
A spectacular show and a grand return for the lingerie brand that has often sparked debate, featuring familiar faces alongside many new ones for the fashion house.
Bella Hadid marks her return to the Victoria’s Secret show. Image courtesy of Getty Images, shared via British Vogue. © All rights belong to their respective owners. No copyright infringement intended.
The much-anticipated comeback of the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show had been in the air for some time, and after six years since its last runway event, the brand returned to New York with a magical evening full of surprises.
From the start, there was great excitement surrounding the Fashion Show. After the closure in 2018 and heavy criticism for promoting unrealistic body standards far removed from the "normal" ideals of society, the brand took a hiatus to redesign a more inclusive Victoria’s Secret 2.0, in line with its audience.
The honor of opening the show went to Gigi Hadid, while Tyra Banks, returning to wear the iconic wings 20 years after her last appearance, led the final runway. Joining them were familiar faces like Adriana Lima, Alessandra Ambrosio, the return of Bella Hadid, and many other VS Angels, alongside new names such as Carla Bruni, Kate Moss, Vittoria Ceretti, Anok Yai, and Eva Herzigova, who donned the iconic wings for the first time.
The six-year break was a response to criticisms of the brand’s lack of body positivity, inclusivity, and empathy toward its audience. With this Fashion Show, it seems the brand has heard the message, relaunching a completely renewed image for viewers streaming live on Prime Video.
The brand now appears to be firmly committed to fighting stereotypes, embracing a more inclusive direction. The presence of figures like Ashley Graham and Paloma Essler, both icons in the normalization of plus-size models on the runway, is a strong sign of this shift. These models represent an ideal of beauty that, until recently, had been largely ignored by major fashion brands, including Victoria’s Secret. The inclusion of Alex Consani and Valentina Sampaio, the first trans models to walk the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show, marks another step forward in the direction of inclusivity, broadening the message to support gender diversity.
Alex Consani posing in the Backstage of Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show 2024. Photography by @hunterabrams via IG @voguemagazine © All rights belong to their respective owners. No copyright infringement intended.
However, the question remains whether these changes are truly deep and lasting or simply a strategic response to years of criticism. While the media attention is focused on these progressive choices, some wonder if the brand is genuinely changing its philosophy or merely riding the wave of social trends to win back a disillusioned audience. The show, though a turning point, will have to prove over time whether the "new" Victoria’s Secret is genuinely committed to breaking stereotypes or if this is merely a surface-level operation.
Despite the new rules, one thing remains unchanged: the musical performances. The first to take the stage was Lisa, rapper and pop star from the group Blackpink, followed by the talented Tyla, and finally, the iconic Cher, who closed the show with two of her most famous hits.
Barbara Palvin at the fitting of her wings for Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show 2024. Photography @donaribraxton via IG @crfashionbook © All rights belong to their respective owners. No copyright infringement intended.
Whether it’s a well-crafted marketing strategy or a true renaissance, one thing is certain: we missed this spectacle of lace, feathers, and glitter. The new introductions make us eager to see how the brand will evolve. In the meantime, welcome back, Angels!
