For the first time since 2019, the popular lingerie brand, Victoria’s Secret, held its first fashion show in Brooklyn NYC on October 15, 2024, featuring some of the most iconic supermodels. This year’s fashion show was especially influential to the general public as it was the first VS Fashion Show hosted in six years and brought some of the biggest names from the fashion industry to the runway. Some of these names include OG ‘angels’ Tyra Banks, Adriana Lima, Candice Swanepoel, supermodel Kate Moss, and former first lady of France, Carla Bruni.
The first-ever Victoria’s Secret (VS) store opened in the suburbs of San Francisco in 1977 by a man named Roy Raymond. Victoria’s Secret was invented so that there was a lingerie store with an environment and atmosphere that men would even feel comfortable shopping in.
It was August 1, 1995, when Victoria’s Secret held its very first fashion show at the Plaza Hotel in NYC. Eventually, in 1998, the brand introduced a concept called the ‘angels’ of Victoria’s Secret. Only those who work with the brand and regularly participate in VS events can earn that prestigious title. The ‘angels’ became the epitome of modeling success. Sooner than later, everybody knew about Victoria’s Secret and it was no longer simply about lingerie.
In a turn of events, the globally known brand experienced a significant decline, canceling its annual Fashion Show in 2019 for the first time since 1995 and continuing to do so until this year’s Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show. The shows were terminated in 2019 due to low ratings and controversy including criticism of the brands’ lack of diversity and involvement with controversial people such as Jeffrey Epstein.
The company uses the VS Fashion Shows as a marketing tool for its lingerie. In the past, tall and skinny women were the focal point of the runway. It was this year’s show that inclusivity and diversity were apparent on the runway. Keira Gallagher, a senior at WMC, says “There were plus-sized models like Ashley Graham, transgender models like Alex Consani, and older models like Kate Moss. The fashion show wasn’t like how it was back then where there were strictly those typical, tall, skinny, models.”
People have been wanting more inclusivity and diversity from this brand. However, there has been a backlash on social media where some people believe that fashion shows simply aren’t meant for everyone. For example, @keiralovesyou6 on TikTok says “Do you guys not understand VS supermodels are not supposed to be inclusive? They are called ANGELS for a reason. And they work so hard to look like that and it’s how it’s always been and always should be. Plus size people can model for plus size brands!” Kylie Turner, a senior at WMC, rebuttals the online criticism by saying “…there is more to beauty than what the typical beauty standard is…All girls deserve to feel like a supermodel.”
Not only has there been criticism on social media about plus-sized models strutting the runway, but many are also saying that the fashion show this year appeared cheap especially compared to some of the most iconic shows in the previous years. Keira Gallaghers says, “Don’t get me wrong the models looked great but the show didn’t have that same sparkly glitter atmosphere like it once did. The outfits weren’t anything jaw-dropping with diamonds and huge mesmerizing wings. I also saw some videos on TikTok of the models tripping on the floor because it was like lifting up.”
There have been many mixed emotions about VS’s return to the runway. This show was the rebranding efforts of Victoria’s Secret regarding their focus on empowering all women instead of adhering to traditional beauty standards as they did in the past. Model Jill Kortleve says, “It’s a beautiful moment.”
