After a five-year hiatus following its controversial 2018 edition, Victoria’s Secret made its return to the catwalk in New York.
The event, once a major annual spectacle, was scrapped due to declining ratings and criticism for being sexist, outdated, and lacking diversity.
This year, the brand promised a revamped and more inclusive show, but reactions remain mixed.
British supermodel Kate Moss, 50, made her debut appearance, sharing the runway with her 22-year-old daughter, Lila Moss.
The show also featured performances from Cher, South African singer Tyla, and Lisa from the K-pop group Blackpink.
Familiar faces like Gigi and Bella Hadid, Adriana Lima, and Tyra Banks, who returned after more than a decade, were among the notable models.
Victoria’s Secret, which launched its iconic fashion show in 1995, once attracted millions of viewers and performers like Rihanna and Taylor Swift.
However, by 2018, viewership had plummeted to just three million from a peak of nine million four years earlier.
Controversies further tarnished the brand, including remarks from former marketing head Ed Razek about excluding transgender and plus-sized models.
This year, Victoria’s Secret aimed to “celebrate all women,” according to Janie Schaffer, the brand’s chief design and creative officer.
Models like Valentina Sampaio, the first transgender model to represent the brand in 2019, walked the runway, alongside another transgender model, Alex Consani. Plus-sized models Ashley Graham and Paloma Elsesser also featured, though some critics considered their inclusion a token gesture given the company’s past.
The return of iconic “angels” like Kate Moss in a black lace dress, complete with angel wings, was met with excitement, but critics pointed out the lingering lack of true diversity.
Harper’s Bazaar’s Dani Maher questioned whether this year’s show delivered the same memorable impact as previous editions, while Teen Vogue’s Aiyana Ishmael highlighted how thin, conventionally attractive models still dominated the runway, perpetuating unattainable beauty standards.
Despite efforts to modernize the show and diversify the lineup—with 50 models from 25 different countries—some feel that Victoria’s Secret still has progress to make.
While the brand has taken steps to evolve, its legacy and ongoing struggles with inclusivity continue to spark debate.
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