After six years of patience, the iconic Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show returned to remind us that beauty has no age, shape, or size. The brand has distanced itself from its controversial past by breaking conventional beauty norms and embracing a broader definition of femininity. 

Before the event, the Instagram account of the brand announced “The Wait Is Over” as Candace Swanepoel made her way up Fifth Avenue, dressed in a black lace bralette, a pencil skirt, and dazzling gold wings. In a different social media post, Adriana Lima stepped into a taxi and, with deep emotion, told the driver, “I’m going home,” referring to her return to the Victoria’s Secret runway. The show’s festive mood was set by Cher, Lisa from Blackpink, and Tyla, who all performed accompanied by backup dancers. 

While there is still plenty of room for greater diversity in women’s representation on the runway, the improvement that has been made so far is remarkable. We saw the first transgender women, Alex Consani and Valentina Sampaio, demonstrating that Victoria’s Secret is taking the first step in embracing a broader definition of beauty. They also challenged age boundaries by putting models such as Kate Moss, Carla Bruni, Eva Herzigova, and Tyra Banks on the runway, all of whom are over 50.

“I never really watched the Victoria’s Secret runway shows,” said Ashley Graham, the plus-size newcomer. “As we all know, it never really catered towards women that were my size. Now it feels like a new Victoria’s Secret—it’s had a breath of fresh air. Back here, I’m seeing girls that look like me… and what’s even better, girls that look so different from me. That’s the beauty of the fashion industry today.”

The Hadid sisters were at the center of attention, with Gigi opening the show in a pink satin ensemble featuring a belted, silky one-piece with a plunging neckline, accessorized with oversized diamond hoop earrings, gladiator-style heels, and the brand’s signature pink wings. Later in the show, she donned a red sheer bodysuit paired with ruched wings in matching red, highlighting Victoria’s Secret’s holiday collection. The red segment closed with her sister, Bella, who made a surprising return to the VS runway. She wore a lacy red bra, and panties set, complemented by a voluminous red and black feathered coat and matching heels. 

However, the audience was the most excited to see the original Angels, synonymous with Victoria’s Secret appeal. Adrianna Lima, Alessandra Ambrosio, Tyra Banks, and Candice Swanepoel were among the iconic figures who walked down the runway, filling the room with a sense of nostalgia.

Despite the excitement of the show’s return, the fans noted the absence of some of the most classic Victoria’s Secret staples. The iconic elevated sparkly runway was missing, along with the highly anticipated fantasy bra and bombshell blowouts that defined the Angels’ look. Additionally, the absence of the supermodel Gisele, who left an incredible mark during her time as a Victoria’s Secret angel, disappointed the fans. 

“A part of our transformation is putting our customers at the center of everything we do, and our customers told us loud and clear that they missed the fashion show. That was the jumping-off point,” said Sarah Sylvester, the brand’s executive vice president of marketing. The Victoria’s Secret team heard the voices of the customers and embraced this new chapter by reintroducing the show with a refreshed vision that celebrates diversity, authenticity, and timeless appeal.