Victoria’s Secret Returns to the Runway

Last week, fashion’s most iconic lingerie spectacle — the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show — made its much-anticipated return to New York City, taking over the Brooklyn Navy Yard with the kind of glamour and attention the brand has long been known for. After years of controversy and an extended hiatus, the show came back with a mission: to reclaim its place as a cultural phenomenon while proving that it has evolved with the times.

The atmosphere was electric. From the moment the lights dimmed and the first beat dropped, it was clear that this was not just a revival — it was a reinvention. Creative director Adam Selman, known for his playful yet empowering approach to fashion, described the show as “a love letter to women — the beauty they possess and the power they harness.” That vision played out through a careful balance of the brand’s signature fantasy and a more inclusive, modern tone. The iconic angel wings returned, but so did a range of body types, backgrounds, and stories.

The spectacle itself felt like a nostalgic celebration of the brand’s golden era while testing new ground. The runway sparkled with returning legends such as Candice Swanepoel, Adriana Lima, and Alessandra Ambrosio, who shared the stage with newer stars like Gigi and Bella Hadid. The casting reflected a deliberate effort to merge the old guard with a new generation of faces — women who embody strength, individuality, and confidence in ways that feel relevant today. Jasmine Tookes, who walked while visibly pregnant, received one of the night’s biggest rounds of applause, a moment that felt genuinely transformative for the brand’s image.

Visually, the show was pure fantasy. The wings — some reportedly weighing over 60 pounds — were back in all their glory, shimmering under the spotlights. There were metallics, florals, feathers, and rhinestones, each look designed to remind the audience that the Victoria’s Secret show has always been about spectacle. The hair and makeup nodded to the bombshell aesthetic of the early 2000s but with a fresher, more natural twist — bouncy waves, glowing skin, and an effortless glamour that felt both classic and current.

Still, not everything landed perfectly. While the show aimed to balance the brand’s fantasy roots with wearable, real-world looks, that duality sometimes clashed. Cargo pants and sheer daywear pieces appeared alongside massive angel wings, and the result was occasionally confusing — an ambitious mix of everyday style and dreamlike performance. Critics also noted that while inclusivity has improved, the brand still has a long way to go in fully redefining what “sexy” means for today’s woman.

Online reactions were just as mixed. Fans who grew up watching the original televised shows celebrated the return of the Angels, calling it “nostalgic and magical.” Others, however, described it as “visually beautiful but emotionally flat,” arguing that the energy didn’t quite reach the euphoric heights of its early-2010s peak. The show’s pacing and transitions between themes — described by Selman as “a journey from day to night” — at times felt abrupt, as if caught between two creative worlds.

But despite these critiques, the night was filled with undeniable highlights. Gigi Hadid closed one segment in a pink lace set with a dramatic floral cape, followed by Bella Hadid in metallic fringe and deep red satin, embodying a fierce modern sensuality. Candice Swanepoel’s golden-winged ensemble drew cheers from the audience — a reminder of why she remains one of the most iconic Angels in history. Each moment seemed designed to go viral, and on social media, it did.

Beyond the glitter and the wings, though, the show represented something larger — a pivotal test for a brand that has spent the last few years redefining its identity. Victoria’s Secret has been trying to move from a fantasy built on perfection to one grounded in empowerment, and this runway was an attempt to bridge those worlds. Whether it succeeded completely or not, it undeniably marked progress: a visual statement that the brand is listening, learning, and ready to evolve.

In a fashion landscape that constantly debates authenticity versus aspiration, the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show 2025 managed to spark conversation again — and that alone is a victory. The magic was there, even if imperfect. For a brand once written off as outdated, this return wasn’t just about lingerie. It was about resilience, reinvention, and rediscovering what it means to make women feel extraordinary.