VICTORIA SECRET FASHION SHOW RETURNS
BY ABBY JOYNER PHOTOS BY PROVIDED
Tyla in a sparkling bustier and tasseled bottoms as she emerged onto the stage for her performance. Photo: People.com
After six long years with no fashion show, Victoria’s Secret finally left its hiatus and revived the iconic fashion spectacle this past October in New York City. With some of fashion’s biggest names, like Anok Yai and Irina Shayk, and the legendary Kate Moss and Tyra Banks, fans believed this revival of a glamorous night showcasing lingerie fashion would be historic. Yet, the internet’s hopes and dreams were crushed when the brand’s sexy, “je ne sais quoi” of shows past failed to meet expectations.
The angel wings and the world’s most famous supermodels returned, but the extravagance, glitz, and glamor felt lackluster. With an uninteresting set design, slicked back ponytails, and lack of fantasy bra, the Victoria’s Secret archetypal bombshell look was missing from the show. The Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show has a long-lasting, dedicated fan-base, with years of history and prestige surrounding it.
The brand’s “angels”—selected models who best embodied the brand’s energy— wore feathery, up to 40 pound wings, and a multi-million dollar “fantasy bra” closed the show. New models and angels were introduced onto the runway, as well as highlighting the world’s most influential supermodels, like Gisele Bündchen, Tyra Banks, and Heidi Klum.
Fans stormed the internet to express their disappointment with this year’s collection, especially after so many years away from the runway. The American brand, with its headquarters in Reynoldsburg, Ohio, even told People in August that “the 2024 Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show will deliver precisely what our customers have been asking for—the glamor, runway, fashion, fun, wings, entertainment—all through a powerful, modern lens reflecting who we are today.”
Based on the social media’s response, this was not what fans had been asking for.
The marketing push for this show was that it would feature a more inclusive and diverse array of models, a reflection of the new image that Victoria’s Secret wants to convey. Indeed, models of color and of diverse body types frequented this runway; however, the stylists often forgot to give these models the attributes of the angelic bombshell look: messy, blown-out hair, massive, intricately-decorated angel wings, and sexy lingerie. Many fans found it disappointing that the most inclusive VS fashion show missed the mark.
“This was not giving bubbly, flirty, bombshell VS. I understand the direction they were going but it didn’t hit the mark for me,” one user posted on X, formerly known as Twitter.
Photo: Style - Nine
Despite all this negative buzz, there were still many memorable moments throughout the spectacle. Bella Hadid returned to the runway in a gorgeous red lingerie set and matching fluffy red cape alongside her supermodel sister Gigi Hadid, who was given one of the only pairs of adequately sized pink angel wings. Her captivating presence was welcomed back to the VS pink carpet with widespread excitement.
Alex Consani wearing a lavender bra and panty set with matching cushioned wings. Photo: Cosmopolitan
Alex Consani, well-known for her characteristically Gen-Z online presence, made history as the first trans woman to strut the VS runway. Her powerful runway walk complemented with a playful personality is enthralling audiences as she reaches supermodel stardom in the high fashion world.
Additionally, audiences mostly enjoyed the musical performances of the evening, especially pop star Tyla’s two song setlist of “PUSH 2 START” and “Water.” The South African singer embodied the angelic energy integral to Victoria’s Secret’s identity and was certainly a standout moment of the evening.
Although the critical response to Victoria’s Secret’s fashion show return has been overwhelmingly flooded with disappointment, longtime fans of the show can hope this will inspire the creative heads at VS to make subsequent years a sexier, more angelic spectacle while maintaining standards of diversity and inclusivity.
