Angels Reborn: Victoria’s Secret Returns To Its Former Glory
The Angels are a symbol of perfection; they exude sex appeal and confidence. Following the backlash Victoria’s Secret faced last year with the return of its coveted and highly anticipated Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show (VSFS), the brand appears to have taken the feedback on board. Ditching the slicked-back ponytails in favour of the iconic bombshell blowout, the Angels embraced a more familiar aesthetic in an attempt to return to their former glory. The show was divided into six sections: Spring Awakening, Summer Fever, the PINK Halftime Show, Autumn Changes, Winter Reprise and Winter Melody. Each surpassed the last in an all-out bid to restore the VSFS to its former status.
Flowers in bloom set the tone for Spring Awakening, evoking the Impressionist period through soft pastels and floral motifs. None other than Bella Hadid opened the show in a floral-embellished bra and garter, complete with matching wings. After her last walk for Prada AW26, she took a well-deserved hiatus to preserve her health and focus on her Lyme disease treatments. Greens, pinks and reds adorned her body in a sea of colour, punctuated by gemstones. Her wings formed a delicate silhouette, decorated with intricate spring florals. Anok Yai followed, embodying a carnation through feathers that bounced with every step, their beautiful ombré fading from red to white. Adriana Lima, the people’s queen of the VSFS, a VS Angel for over 20 years, commanded the runway in a green bodysuit featuring lacing and cut-outs along the sides. Her wings, reminiscent of cherry blossoms, were delicate yet powerful.
Megan Moroney performed three songs during the Vintage Victoria section, adding a country twist to classic Hollywood boudoir glamour. Dressed in baby-pink satin, she wore a glossy skirt paired with a matching corset featuring a sweetheart neckline. Oversized, fluffy pink feather wings created a soft, cloud-like effect, combining sensuality, fantasy and exaggerated femininity. Rosalieke Fuchs and He Cong opened this section, embodying the motif of vintage boudoir glamour. Fuchs wore a powder-blue satin dress featuring corset-inspired lacing and ribbon detailing across the bodice. The ribbons traced her figure, creating a sensual allure while maintaining a softer, almost doll-like interpretation of vintage glamour. He Cong presented a delicate blend of romantic femininity and lingerie-inspired glamour. Her pale-pink satin dress featured a softly draped silhouette, a plunging neckline, a bow detailing at the waist and an asymmetrical handkerchief hem that created movement as she walked. The silky finish and powder-pink palette lent the look a nostalgic quality, reminiscent of vintage negligees reimagined for the runway.
Summer Fever opened with the debut of Tate McRae’s new single, Housewife, as she took centre stage to perform the track in her signature style. She wore a sensual red corset with shimmering boning, paired with a matching garter and heels. Following the bridge, Gigi Hadid joined her onstage in an iridescent, chainmail-effect bralette and matching wings, capturing the glimmer of water as the sun sets on the horizon. Jasmine Tookes closed Dear God with a summer-inspired interpretation of the motif. She wore a yellow bra accented with hot-pink details, paired with a purple sequinned sash and shimmering, streamer-like wings. Daiane Sodré and Abény Nhial opened Sports Car in matching necklaces that extended into belly chains, adorned with oversized gemstones that shimmered beneath the runway lights.
The PINK Halftime Show brought a pop-punk twist to the runway, with KATSEYE, a global girl that infuses both Korean and American influences, taking centre stage in a celebration of youthful femininity. Performing Pinky Up and Animal, the group embraced coordinated corsets and mini skirts, each reimagined through individual styling. Daniela Avanzini sported a skirt adorned with colourful, animal-inspired keychains, while Yoonchae Jeung paired her corset with a two-tone skirt, black mesh opera gloves trimmed with pink fur and iridescent make-up. The looks balanced playful nostalgia with an edgier streetwear influence, redefining PINK’s signature aesthetic for a new generation. PINK, the fun, younger sister of Victoria’s Secret is meant to be the first stepping stone to becoming a VS Angel, therefore allowing many models and influencers their first catwalk for the brand, Embracing this youthful energy, Natalia Bryant brought a playful Y2K edge to the runway, pairing a black PINK bra with a hot-pink cropped shrug and crystal-embellished jeans. The look tapped into the whimsymaxxing trend that took TikTok by storm over the summer. Complete with a mirrorball handbag, silver heels and colourful gemstones, the ensemble captured the sub-brand’s youthful energy, blending casual streetwear with a glittering, party-ready aesthetic. Trinity Rodman offered a sportier interpretation, stepping onto the runway in a cropped black tank adorned with sparkling embellishments and subtle pink accents, with the striking PINK logo across the chest. Paired with matching boyshorts and silver slingbacks, the look merged athletic influences with the brand’s signature femininity. A silver PINK puppy accessory reinforced the playful, collegiate identity of the collection, adding a nostalgic touch to the contemporary styling.
Autumn Changes introduced a darker palette to the runway, providing a striking contrast to the earlier youthful and playful PINK segment. Vittoria Ceretti opened this portion in an intricate, jaw-dropping burnt-bronze ensemble, featuring an intertwined bodysuit, matching wings and a flowing train that glimmered beautifully beneath the subdued runway lighting. Ming Xi followed in a milky-white, shimmering organza design, complete with a vintage-inspired corset that cinched her waist and accentuated her silhouette. The delicate transparency of the organza contrasted with the structured bodice, creating a balance between softness and traditional corsetry. The subtle shimmer caught the runway lights with every step, evoking an ethereal, almost angelic quality. Elsa Hosk commanded attention with arguably the most extravagant wings Victoria’s Secret has ever presented. The dramatic, oversized structure extended far beyond her silhouette, transforming the look into a spectacle of scale and grandeur. A true embodiment of the Angel fantasy, the wings demanded attention with every step, reinforcing the theatricality that has long defined the VSFS. Angels Among Us was a competition hosted by Victoria Secret in order to cast a VS Angel throughout the United States, the winner would not only achieve the grandeur of walking the show but also an IMG contract. The top ten finalists subsequently took to the runway, culminating in Solange Omon’s debut as the competition’s winner.
Headlined by Megan Thee Stallion, Winter Reprise introduced a colder, more seductive edge to the show. The performer wore a black-and-silver ombré bra and shrug combination, paired with silver wings that glimmered beneath the runway lights. Rosie Huntington-Whiteley opened the segment in a classic white design, complete with the indelible white Angel wings and a delicate silver belt that accentuated her silhouette. The section embraced winter dressing through fur coats and seasonal accessories, complemented by a backdrop evoking a snow-covered landscape. Yasmin Wijnaldum continued the icy aesthetic in a silver-and-white top and skirt combination, embellished with a chainmail-like finish. A dangling belt spelling out ANGEL across her bust completed the ensemble, adding a distinctive statement to the wintry palette.
Winter Melody opened to Jade’s Angel of My Dreams, introducing the first Fantasy Bra Victoria’s Secret had presented since the show’s hiatus began in 2018. Worn by Queen of instagram’s hearts Kylie Jenner, the piece was created by Jacob & Co. and featured 4,410 natural diamonds in the jeweller’s signature Angel Cut, alongside a centrepiece set with a 75.54-carat yellow diamond. Valued at an estimated $50 million, the Fantasy Bra became a defining moment of the show, reinstating the extravagance historically associated with the Victoria’s Secret runway. Alessandra Ambrosio graced the catwalk in a white co-ord, complemented by silvery-white streamer wings that shimmered with every movement. The delicate, flowing details evoked the movement of falling snow, capturing the enchantment of winter through a palette of icy whites and silver. Candice Swanepoel continued the wintry fantasy in a look that embraced the segment’s celestial elegance. Fine, glittering Angel wings were paired with a body chain and a jewelled belt that caught the light beautifully, reinforcing the balance between delicate femininity and the spectacle of the Angel aesthetic.
To close the show, Adriana Lima walked solo to Often a Bird, creating a melancholic finale that felt almost like a final thank you to the audience. Her look comprised a white, jewelled neckline and a lace-adorned midsection, connected by a delicate white ribbon. The skirt featured white tassels interwoven with silver chainmail detailing, creating movement and shimmer with every step. Her wings struck the perfect balance between delicacy and refinement, complementing the ethereal quality of the ensemble. It was a beautiful yet bittersweet conclusion, capturing both the nostalgia and emotion of the Angel.
Just when we thought the show had come to an end, Gisele Bündchen, another admired VS Angel who has not walked the runway since 2006, made a surprise appearance saying, “You’ll be seeing me very soon.” Leaving the audience with one final question: Is this a hint at a long-awaited return to the Victoria’s Secret runway, or could the illustrious Angel have something else up her sleeve? One thing is certain: the possibility of her return has left us wondering whether this is merely the beginning of Victoria’s Secret’s return to former glory.
Edited by Simon Nora Dreyfus, Fashion Co-Editor
Comments