I think some of my earliest memories of fashion are of the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Shows. My dad used to put them on TV, and I would sit there completely mesmerised, fascinated by the women who seemed to have stepped out of another world, their enormous wings, the glitter, the music, and the combination of fashion and entertainment that transformed a runway into something much bigger. To me, they were not simply models walking in lingerie; they represented pure fantasy. And perhaps that is why, so many years later, I still feel something special whenever those wings unfold again.
On October 19, Victoria’s Secret returned to Los Angeles with a new edition of its Fashion Show, and it was impossible not to feel that same excitement all over again. After two editions held in New York, the brand returned to California for the first time since 2007, bringing back some of the aesthetic elements that turned its shows into major cultural events. Supermodels, musical performances, lingerie, spectacular staging and the long-awaited return of the Fantasy Bra came together for a night that looked back at the past while trying to find its place in the present.
Leading this new chapter is Adam Selman, the brand’s executive creative director, who has taken on the challenge of reinterpreting the world of the Angels for the second consecutive year. His approach is based on an idea that I personally find interesting: bringing back what made us fall in love with Victoria’s Secret without pretending that the fashion industry and society are still the same as they were twenty years ago.
Bella Hadid and the Return of Fantasy
Bella Hadid opened the show in a look inspired by spring. A green ensemble with floral appliqués, a sheer miniskirt and wings that appeared to be crafted from branches, flowers and natural elements introduced a runway where fantasy once again took centre stage.
Her appearance set the tone for a collection in which wings became much more than accessories, evolving into elaborate design pieces. Volume, flowers, embroidery, embellishments and intricate craftsmanship reminded us that the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show has never been an ordinary runway presentation. Here, fashion is meant to move us, surprise us and, above all, make us forget everything else for a few moments.
Gigi Hadid also stood out in romantic-inspired looks, while models such as Ashley Graham, Alex Consani and Anok Yai brought their own interpretations of the brand’s signature sensuality. From corsets adorned with rosettes to petal-covered minidresses and glittering ensembles, the runway brought back the theatricality that many of us associate with its most iconic editions.
Adriana Lima: The Angels We Never Forget
Some faces become so deeply connected to a brand that it is almost impossible to imagine its history without them. Adriana Lima is one of those figures. Her relationship with Victoria’s Secret began in 1999, and she has since become one of the most recognisable faces in its universe.
This year, the Brazilian supermodel once again demonstrated why she remains one of the show’s most iconic figures. Her looks, from electric-green lace to white lingerie paired with sparkling wings, brought back the image of an era when the Angels occupied a central place in popular culture.
Alongside her, Alessandra Ambrosio, Candice Swanepoel, Rosie Huntington-Whiteley and other models associated with the brand’s history helped create a balance between nostalgia and renewal. Seeing them return to the runway feels special because it is not just about remembering an aesthetic; it is about reconnecting with images that have accompanied an entire generation.
Perhaps this is part of Victoria’s Secret’s enduring appeal. For some, its shows are a fashion event; for others, they are a childhood memory, a visual reference or an introduction to the world of fashion. In my case, they still remind me of those evenings in front of the television, when everything seemed possible and every runway appearance felt like a little surprise.
The Return of the Fantasy Bra
If there is one element that captures the Victoria’s Secret universe, it is the Fantasy Bra. After an eight-year absence, the iconic creation returned to the show, featuring a 75.54-carat yellow diamond and an estimated value of $50 million.
Beyond its extraordinary price, the Fantasy Bra represents the revival of one of the brand’s most recognisable traditions. For years, these creations were among the most anticipated moments of each edition, transforming lingerie into extraordinary pieces of high jewellery.
Its return confirms Victoria’s Secret’s desire to reclaim some of the elements that made its show so successful: extravagant luxury, surprise and the feeling of witnessing something truly unique. At a time when brands are constantly searching for new ways to capture public attention, bringing back such an iconic piece is also a way of reconnecting with those who have followed its story from the beginning
A Runway Soundtracked by Music
Music once again played a fundamental role in the spectacle. KATSEYE, Megan Moroney, Megan Thee Stallion and Tate McRae performed throughout an edition that brought together different musical genres and generations.
The artists became part of the brand’s visual universe through lingerie-inspired outfits, reinforcing the idea that the show is an experience where fashion and entertainment work together. The aim is not simply to present a collection, but to create a spectacle that sparks conversation before, during and long after the event.
New faces and debuting models also stood out, including Solange Omon, selected through the search featured in the docuseries Angels Among Us. Her appearance in black-and-white lace lingerie, golden wings and a flowing cape represented the brand’s intention to introduce new faces into a world long dominated by a recognisable group of supermodels.
Between Nostalgia and a New Definition of Beauty
Since its return in 2024, following a six-year hiatus from its traditional runway show, Victoria’s Secret has been trying to find a balance between its heritage and the expectations of an industry that has changed significantly. Conversations around the representation of different bodies, ages and backgrounds have become part of this transformation, although the brand remains associated with very specific beauty ideals.
The participation of models such as Ashley Graham, alongside established Angels and a younger generation of talent, reflects a broader approach to representation. However, this evolution does not eliminate every contradiction. Much of the brand’s identity still revolves around an aspirational image, raising questions about how it can preserve its essence without becoming trapped in the past.
Adam Selman seems to have found his answer in reinterpretation. His collection revisits slip dresses, references to the late 1990s and early 2000s, floral details and monumental wings, presenting them through a more contemporary lens. The goal is not to recreate the shows we remember exactly as they were, but to recapture the emotions they once inspired.
Ultimately, I think that is what makes this edition so interesting. You do not need to have followed every collection or know every name in the fashion industry to understand what Victoria’s Secret represents. Sometimes, all it takes is remembering the feeling of seeing those wings appear on screen for the first time, the music growing louder and the certainty that something extraordinary was about to happen.
Perhaps fashion does not always need to reinvent everything. Sometimes, it can look back, rediscover an emotion and find a way to make us feel it all over again.
Because some spectacles become part of our memories long before we know how to put them into words. And for me, Victoria’s Secret will always be one of them.
Words: @annaamaso