The Victoria's Secret Fashion Show Returns, Marking a New Era
The Victoria's Secret Fashion Show returned after a six-year break. Filled with nostalgia and new talent, the show indicates that the lingerie brand is headed in a new direction.
On Tuesday, October 15, the legendary Victoria's Secret Fashion Show returned after a six-year break. During its peak in the early 2000s, the Victoria's Secret Fashion Show was a cultural phenomenon, serving as a conversation-starting display for models, performers, and the wearer of the million dollar bra. The show—less stuffy than a tradional high fashion runway show—encouraged playfulness from its models, who became household names. From 1995 to 2018, the Victoria's Secret Fashion Show was a vital event for the lingerie brand.
On Tuesday evening, Victoria's Secret attempted to mount a return to the peak of its fashion show era. Guests arrived at the Brooklyn Navy Yard, and were escorted to the loft-like runway venue via (branded, of course) golf carts. A light pink carpet led to the entrance. Before the show started, Tyra Banks introduced the program, describing it as for women: the women behind the scenes, and in front. This was clearly an attempt by the brand to distance itself from its past controversies.
In years past, the show primarily featured Victoria's Secret Angels, who were mostly young and slim contracted models. But this iteration of the Victoria's Secret Fashion Show feels different. The show was a celebration of women of all ages, sizes, and identities: a truer representation of women and women who wear Victoria's Secret than ever before. The show also embraced its signature campy element, with models smiling and interacting with the audience (and each other, and the performers) as they walked down the runway. As Cher performed "Believe," even professional models like Gigi and Bella Hadid couldn't help but smile and savor the moment.
With the Hadids, Tyla, Paloma Elsesser, Lisa, and more, the show's roster felt geared towards attracting a younger audience. But at the same time, the brand understands the nostalgic appeal of its fashion show. Models including Candice Swanepoel, Kate Moss, and Adriana Lima also walked, bringing the past into the show's future. At the very end of the show, Tyra Banks herself strutted the runway, reminding everyone why she's an icon. Her presense capitvated the room, but it would have been welcome earlier in the show—or throughout.
The return of the Victoria's Secret Fashion Show didn't feel as major as it used to be, and the show lacked a theme or a purpose beyond that, well, it's back. But its intention is vital: the show demonstrates that Victoria's Secret is committed to the diversity and the energy on the runway indicates that the brand is still strong. Judging by the cheears from the crowd for models new and seasoned, a resurgence of the Victoria's Secret Fashion Show is possible.
