The Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show is back. Even the most cynical among us must admit that phrase still carries a certain weight, a shimmer of pop culture history. After a dramatic hiatus and a 2024 comeback that felt more like a cautious toe-dip than a full plunge, the 2025 Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show, which took place on Wednesday, October 15th, in New York City, was a definitive second statement. It was a declaration that the brand is committed to balancing its glittering legacy with the non-negotiable demands of the modern woman. But did it work? That is the billion-dollar question.
What Really Happened at the 2025 Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show
The Spectacle: Date, Location, and All the Drama
The whole world was watching, and frankly, the show delivered on spectacle. The event was staged at the Brooklyn Navy Yard—a historic, industrial waterfront location that provided a dynamic, fresh backdrop compared to the traditional opulence of Manhattan. This location choice subtly signals a move towards something grittier, a little more grounded in the reality of New York. The runway show itself, beginning at 7:00 p.m. ET, was the culmination of a full evening that started with the highly-anticipated Pink Carpet pre-show at 4:30 p.m. ET.
Instead of being locked behind a cable subscription, the show was streamed live and free across YouTube, Amazon Live, and the brand’s social media channels. This move speaks volumes about the new strategy: accessibility is the new exclusivity. They want the buzz, the instant commentary, and the viral moments that define modern digital media.
Casting the Vision: Legends and Groundbreakers
If the show’s primary mission was to bridge the past and the future, the model lineup was the most visible proof of that effort. Nostalgia was served with a generous pour of modern relevance.
- The Iconic Returns: The runway was graced by a glorious parade of beloved VS veterans. Seeing Adriana Lima, Alessandra Ambrosio, Lily Aldridge, Candice Swanepoel, and Gigi and Bella Hadid walk again instantly brought back the electric energy of the show’s golden age. This was a tactical move, designed to satisfy the millions of fans who grew up with the original “Angels.”
- The New Era Icons: Crucially, new faces—those who represent the cultural shift towards broader representation—were not just included; they were spotlighted. Alex Consani, a Gen Z trailblazer and openly transgender model, brought her viral energy and sharp humor to the runway. Yumi Nu, a strong advocate for body inclusivity, solidified the brand’s pivot away from a singular beauty ideal.
- The Athlete Effect: In a surprising and clever move, the show introduced its first-ever professional athletes to the runway: WNBA star Angel Reese and Olympic gymnast Suni Lee. This inclusion is a powerful statement. It elevates the conversation beyond pure fashion and links the brand to concepts of strength, athleticism, and female achievement—an authentic form of empowerment that resonates with a wider audience. Angel Reese, who reportedly hired a runway coach to perfect her walk, brought a new level of focus to the spectacle.
The Soundtrack and Style: Day-to-Night Fantasy
The creative direction, led by Adam Selman, brought a concept of “day-to-night” to the lingerie spectacle. The show transitioned from lighter, more romantic morning looks to darker, “black tie” inspired evening ensembles.
The costumes themselves walked a tightrope. On one side, there was the classic, maximalist VS fantasy: glittering mesh, enormous wings, and ethereal embellishments. On the other, were pieces that were arguably more wearable, bridging the gap between showpiece and store product. Jasmine Tookes opened the show in a gilded mesh dress, confidently walking while cradling her baby bump, which was a deeply human and beautiful moment that would have been unimaginable in the VS shows of the 2000s.
The musical performances cemented the show’s commitment to an all-female, powerhouse lineup: Missy Elliott, Karol G, Madison Beer, and K-pop sensation TWICE. The crowd surged when TWICE performed, marking their debut as the first K-pop act on the VS stage. The soundtrack mixed their electric energy with nostalgic throwbacks, proving that the show understood its audience wants a party that remembers its history while looking forward.
Consumer and Critical Reception: A Mixed Bag
The reception for the 2025 show was divided, with a noticeable contrast between enthusiasm for the brand’s new direction and nostalgia for the ‘glory days’ of the original show.
The Positive/Modern View (The “Evolution”)
- Diverse Casting: The inclusion of models like transgender model Alex Consani, plus-size model Yumi Nu (making her debut), WNBA star Angel Reese (the first pro-athlete), and Olympic champion Sunisa Lee was praised for reflecting a broader global customer base.
- Creative Direction: The new Executive Creative Director, Adam Selman (formerly of Savage x Fenty), promised a show that was “big, powerful, and playful,” grounded in storytelling, and delivered on “big, bouncy blowdries” to recapture the signature ‘bombshell’ hair.
- Social Engagement: The brand saw a massive spike in social media engagement and mentions following the 2024 show’s return, signaling that the event successfully generated buzz.
The Negative/Nostalgic View (The “Underwhelming”)
- Missing Spectacle: Many long-time fans felt the show lacked the “theatrical, spectacular, and downright silly touches” and the over-the-top glamour of the original VSFS. Critics found the new presentation “underwhelming” and missed the fun, interactive energy of the past.
- Superficial Inclusivity: A key criticism carried over from 2024 was that the change felt tentative or “performative.” While diverse models were present, some noted that fuller-figured models were often more covered up, and the vast majority of the lineup still consisted of “straight-sized” models (traditional runway model proportions).
- “Lacklustre” Execution: Some viewers and critics felt the styling and execution were not up to the level of its original prestige, with comments about the outfits appearing “cheap” and an overall less polished feel compared to the massive productions of the 2000s.
Alignment with Modern Inclusivity Demands
Victoria’s Secret has been pressured to evolve its narrow beauty standards following intense criticism, and the 2025 show continued the brand’s course correction.
| Inclusivity Effort | Details | Reception |
| Model Diversity | Included transgender model Alex Consani, plus-size models Yumi Nu and Precious Lee (debuting), and older iconic supermodels like Adriana Lima. | Generally positive, but viewed with skepticism by some who questioned if it was a genuine transformation or just a “tick-box” exercise. |
| New Faces | The inclusion of figures from outside fashion (WNBA’s Angel Reese, Olympian Sunisa Lee) aimed to celebrate accomplished women and align with the brand’s ‘VS Collective’ ambassadors. | A new way to define an ‘Angel’ based on achievement and diversity of background, rather than just body type. |
| Creative Leadership | Appointing Adam Selman, who made size inclusivity a hallmark at Savage x Fenty, signaled a serious intent to commit to diverse design. | Selman emphasized creating the “right product for the right size,” acknowledging that fit and solution are crucial for all body types, especially in lingerie. |
| Overall Vision | The show aimed to be “reflective of who we are today” by retaining glamour, wings, and music but with a more modern, diverse perspective. | A clear attempt to rebrand away from a “male-gaze-centric perception” to one that supports and celebrates all women. |
Comparison to Savage x Fenty
The shadow of Rihanna’s Savage x Fenty looms large over the Victoria’s Secret relaunch, particularly since the VSFS 2025 brought in former Savage x Fenty executive Adam Selman as the design lead.
| Feature | Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show 2025 | Savage x Fenty Shows |
| Focus/Format | Return to the classic runway spectacle with models and a live music performance. | A highly-produced, non-traditional musical/theatrical experience blending dance, music, and fashion. |
| Inclusivity | Made significant progress with diverse casting in body type, age, and gender identity, but the majority of models remain “straight-sized.” | Inclusion above all else, showcasing models of all sizes (XS to 3X+), genders, races, and abilities as the core of the show. |
| Vibe | Trying to bridge the gap between its historical fantasy/glamour and modern authenticity. | Celebrates bold, unapologetic sensuality and body positivity through high-energy performance. |
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Success of the Brand Relaunch Strategy
The Fashion Show is a central part of a much larger strategy to save the Victoria’s Secret brand.
- Brand Relevance: The show successfully generated buzz and high social media engagement, suggesting it is effective in regaining a spot in the pop-culture conversation, which was the main goal of the relaunch.
- Financial Health: The company’s overall financial picture shows it is attempting a turnaround. After reporting losses in 2024, the brand posted a positive net result in the first quarter of 2025, with sales slightly up from the previous year.
- Authenticity Challenge: The main hurdle remains authenticity. Critics feel the rebrand—including the VS Collective and the diverse fashion show casting—was too slow, too late, and risked alienating its original customer base without fully convincing the new, diverse audience it was trying to court.
The 2025 Fashion Show was a necessary step for Victoria’s Secret to demonstrate its commitment to change. While it successfully created a spectacle and showcased diversity, it must continue to prove that its inclusion efforts are deep and authentic, extending beyond the runway and into all its products and campaigns.
Musical Guests
The 2025 Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show featured an all-female lineup of musical headliners:
- Missy Elliott
- Karol G
- TWICE (The K-pop group’s performance, featuring four of their members—Nayeon, Jihyo, Tzuyu, and Momo—made history as the first K-pop group to take the VS runway).
- Madison Beer
Featured Models on the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show 2025
The show included a mix of returning legends, established “supers,” and notable newcomers:
Iconic Returners and Supermodels
- Adriana Lima
- Gigi Hadid
- Bella Hadid
- Alessandra Ambrosio
- Ashley Graham
- Barbara Palvin
- Behati Prinsloo
- Candice Swanepoel
- Emily Ratajkowski
- Irina Shayk
- Joan Smalls
- Lily Aldridge
New Faces and Trailblazers
Yumi Nu
Angel Reese (WNBA star, and the first professional athlete to walk the VS runway)
Suni Lee (Olympic gymnast, also making a historic debut)
Alex Consani
Anok Yai
Barbie Ferreira
Lila Moss
Paloma Elsesser
Precious Lee
