By Nell Geraets
After a six-year hiatus, the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show is officially back. And though the brand’s classic “angels” have returned, this year’s event in New York City promised to be different.
The iconic lingerie runway show was a bona fide pop-cultural phenomenon throughout the late ’90s and early 2000s, featuring legendary supermodels like Gisele Bündchen and Heidi Klum. Since the first show in 1995, the event continued to grow in scale, introducing major A-list performances from artists like Taylor Swift and Ed Sheeran, and dressing models in diamond and emerald “fantasy bras” that were valued at over $22 million.
Tyra Banks walks the runway at the new and improved Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show.Credit: Evan Agostini/Invision/AP
However, controversy began to surround the brand, causing interest in the show to dwindle significantly by 2018. Audiences took issue with the former chief marketing officer Ed Razek, who was accused of harassment and misogyny. He also told Vogue he did not think “transsexuals” should be included in the show. Though he later apologised, Razek stepped down in 2019. This was followed by the departure of the company’s then-chief executive Les Wexner in 2021, after he was exposed for allegedly having past ties with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
Arguably the most damning concern, however, was the company’s treatment of its models. In 2020, The New York Times revealed a culture of misogyny, bullying and harassment at Victoria’s Secret. Several of its models, including Australian model Bridget Malcolm, also complained of the unrealistic and unhealthy expectations placed on them.
Models hit the runway in 2018, before the prime-time event’s cancellation in 2019.Credit: Invision
Unable to revive itself, the fashion show was cancelled in 2019. But it returned on Tuesday night (New York time), vowing to be more inclusive and entertaining than ever. So, did it live up to its promise?
One word: Cher
How do you return with a bang? Invite Cher to perform.
The 78-year-old icon stunned the crowd in a sparkly black cargo pantsuit, singing two of her biggest hits: Strong Enough and Believe. She didn’t move around much on the catwalk, but her powerful vocals filled the cavernous room, encouraging everyone in the audience to sing along. Even some of the models, including long-time Victoria’s Secret angel Adriana Lima – who first appeared in the show 25 years ago – were seen mouthing along to the chorus while strutting the runway, proving no one can resist Cher.
Cher made everyone believe in life after love at the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show.Credit: Evan Agostini/Invision/AP
A fully female line-up
In line with its “feminist rebrand”, this year marked the first Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show with an all-female entertainment line-up. Along with Cher, Tyla and Blackpink’s Lisa both performed their own hits, sonically punctuating the different runway categories.
Lisa revved up the crowd at the Victoria’s Secret runway, opening the show on a stationary motorcycle.Credit: Evan Agostini/Invision/AP
Lisa kicked things off, clad in a leather two-piece and perched on a stationary motorcycle, singing her recent track Rockstar. She reappeared later for a rendition of Moonlit Floor, as models, including Ashley Graham, ascended from the floor to walk the runway.
R&B pop singer Tyla appeared in the middle of the show, wearing her own set of fluffy white wings. She performed her breakout single Water and Push 2 Start, while models like Lila Moss strutted past.
Lila and her supermodel mother, Kate Moss, both made their VS debuts this year. This isn’t the first time they’ve walked together, having both appeared at the 2021 Fendi couture show.
Kate Moss (left) and daughter Lila (right) both made their VS debut this year.Credit: Invision/AP
Veteran angels return
Although reinvention lay at the heart of this show, it wouldn’t be a Victoria’s Secret runway without a few of the brand’s favourite angels. Gigi Hadid was the first to walk, dressed in an all-pink silky set and massive adjustable wings. As she dominated the runway, the phrase “we are back” was projected onto a large screen, and Chappell Roan’s feminist anthem Femininomenon played. This marked Hadid’s fourth VS appearance. Her sister, Bella, also reclaimed her wings this year, walking the show in a sultry red number while Cher belted out Believe.
Other returning models included Lima, Alessandra Ambrosio, Candice Swanepoel, Irina Shayk, and Josephine Skriver.
But it was Tyra Banks who had people hollering. The 50-year-old model closed the show, her first VS appearance since 2005. She sashayed down the runway in sparkly black leggings, a black-and-silver corset and silver cape before the rest of the angels joined her to wave goodbye.
New angels spread their wings
Inclusivity, female empowerment and diversity were the driving forces behind VS’ return, encouraging the brand to incorporate a range of plus-size and gender-diverse models.
Ashley Graham strutted the runway at the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show, marking a more body-positive era for the brand.Credit: Evan Agostini/Invision/AP
Models like Devyn Garcia, Ashley Graham and Paloma Elsesser, as well as trans models Alex Consani and Valentina Sampaio, signalled the beginning of a more progressive, body-positive and tolerant era. However, these models still seemed few and far between. Each category appeared dominated by thin, cisgender women – the same criticism that plagued the event until 2018.
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