For 30 years, Victoria’s Secret has hosted an annual fashion show, welcoming the biggest names in the modeling world, including Naomi Campbell, Tyra Banks, Heidi Klum, the Hadid sisters, Adriana Lima and Alex Consani. After taking a break from the show in 2019, Victoria’s Secret decided to bring back its annual show in 2024, which ended in what some refer to as a slick-backed disaster, lacking “sparkle” and authenticity. So the question for this year was clear: Will Victoria’s Secret redeem itself or become another outdated brand whose prime has passed?
This April, Victoria’s Secret hired a new creative director, Adam Seldman, widely known for his work with Rihanna’s Savage x Fenty and other popular brands. With this decision, the media remained hopeful that Seldman’s presence would help the brand thrive this year and bring the fashion world something it hasn’t seen before.
The 2025 show was held at Steiner Studios in Brooklyn on October 15 at 7 p.m. and streamed globally for all the fashion fanatics to watch. The energy surrounding the event was evident in the days leading up to it, with anticipation of who would be performing and who would be walking.
Just as much excitement surrounded the star-studded guests. Celebrities in attendance included Sarah Jessica Parker, Jodie Turner Smith and Dylan Sprouse. The room was full of fashion lovers who came from different parts of the world just to watch Victoria’s Secret’s big show.
As the lights dimmed and the music softened, the audience got ready for the show to begin. A single silhouette appeared center stage, and as she began to walk to Mariah Carey’s “Close My Eyes,” a warm yellow glow revealed her oyster-shaped wings. Walking closer to the edge of the runway, Jasmine Tookes emerged from the shadows, and with that, she announced her nine-month pregnancy. Her outfit portrayed her as a “mother oyster,” a genius play on her pregnancy, with her bump standing in for an oyster’s pearl. This opener was breathtaking and served a powerful purpose, glorifying womanhood and new life. Her outfit was a personal favorite of mine. This opener set the tone for the rest of the show, reminding everyone that it wasn’t just about fashion but about its models as well.
As Jasmine turned her back to the runway, Adriana Lima strutted out, wearing beautiful feathered wings; the vibe of the room shifted back into an upbeat studio, reminding everyone that while focusing on the emotional message that Jasmine delivered, fashion was still in the picture.
Throughout the years, Victoria’s Secret has worked on diversifying itself by premiering models who viewers can relate to and look up to, and by focusing the show on women’s empowerment and self-love, not just fashion. There is no doubt that watching someone like Adriana Lima strut down the runway in her fabulously fit way is intimidating, to say the least. However, seeing bodies of all different shapes and sizes, styled in beautiful, appreciative ways, made their show seem more approachable and expressive.
The night was full of breathtaking looks, bombshell blowouts and not a single slickback in sight, but what really elevated the atmosphere was the incredible performances delivered by
Missy Elliot, TWICE, Carol G and the one and only Madison Beer. Picking a favorite performance of the night would be like picking a favorite sandwich at River Deli; impossible. As the singers performed, one by one, the Angels strutted down the runway, each bringing something unique to the show.
There were many surprises throughout the show; among the biggest ones were the walks of both Angel Reese and Suni Lee, who made history as the first female professional athletes to walk the Victoria’s Secret runway. Both of their appearances emphasized the celebration of female accomplishments and success, and that the mold of Victoria’s Secret Angels has truly changed in the past years for the better.
This year, it was clear that we asked, and Victoria’s Secret listened. The show not only represents Victoria’s Secret’s ability to impress the fashion world, but it is also a testament to their resilience in overcoming past struggles.
