LIGHTS, CAMERA, ANGELS
- Vanessa Norris
- 1 day ago
- 5 min read
A review of the 2025 Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show
By: Vanessa Norris
Everyone be quiet — my show is on.
The Victoria’s Secret fashion show returned Oct. 15, and it's clear the brand’s new creative director, Adam Selman, had something to prove.
Last year, the iconic show returned after a six-year hiatus following a slew of controversies surrounding the brand. Although the show’s return featured renowned supermodels like Kate Moss and Tyra Banks, it was a disappointment for loyal viewers.
Instead of the traditional bouncy blowouts, sparkly runways and glamorous wings, the show settled on slick-backs, plain backdrops and dull costumes.
The 2024 show lacked the in-your-face fantasy viewers crave. Victoria’s Secret originally reached its high status through plain unattainability - the women strutting down the runway are supposed to feel unreal, untouchable. Without the fantasy or spectacle, the show becomes just an hour of girls walking around in lingerie.
Enter Adam Selman.
Having worked with fashion icons such as Lady Gaga, Britney Spears and Rihanna, Selman was an ideal choice to take on the creative direction role for the brand. From what I witnessed on Wednesday night, he was ready to make a statement with his Victoria’s Secret fashion show debut.
The attempted comeback in 2024 fell flat, but this year’s show made something abundantly clear: Victoria’s Secret is back.
Supermodel Jasmine Tookes opened the show wearing gold, seashell-like wings and teardrop-shaped pearls cascading down her nine-months-pregnant body. Her glowy entrance set the tone for the rest of the segment, being followed by VS legacies Adriana Lima, Doutzen Kroes, Alessandra Ambrosio, Lily Aldridge, Joan Smalls, Barbara Palvin, Behati Prinsloo and Candice Swanepoel.
The opening segment featured sunkissed colorways, using golds, browns, yellows and oranges on flowy, sparkly garments. Palvin and Swanepoel were most memorable, captivating audiences with their striking stage presence.
The remainder of the show featured a variety of returning angels, newcomers and musical guests. Madison Beer was a standout performer, aligning with the sexiness and glamour of classic Victoria’s Secret. Legacies Gigi Hadid, Irina Shayk and Imaan Hammam walked in glittery pinks, blacks and whites to hit songs “Make You Mine,” “bittersweet” and “yes baby.”
Karol G’s performance against a stark red backdrop, introduced by movie-style opening credits, was arguably the most aesthetically (and sexually) appealing segment of the show. The Colombian singer embodied the thrilling seductiveness of Victoria’s Secret, performing hit songs “Ivonny Bonita” and “Latina Forever.”
Bella Hadid debuted a new look, pairing beach-blonde hair with a deep tan, striding down the runway wearing red lingerie. Hadid was followed by supermodels Alex Consani, Grace Elizabeth and most notably, Yasmin Wijnaldum, with her captivating strut and posing mastery.
Piggybacking off of last year’s show, there were more models with diverse body types, reflecting the brand’s new and improved inclusivity objective. Seeing more curves onstage was a refreshing change from decades of the show exclusively featuring uber-thin models, many of whom resorted to extreme diets and excessive exercise.
Models Ashley Graham, Emeline Hoareau and Devyn Garcia were captivating on the runway, confidently showing the world their place among top supermodels. It’s been a long time coming, and according to Ashley Graham on Instagram, it’s not “just a one-time thing.”
Although the show ticked off many viewers’ boxes and exponentially outdid itself from the previous year, one slight change threw me off.
I’m referring to the “halftime show” featuring the Victoria’s Secret Pink line. The K-pop group TWICE performed during the segment, where a slew of influencers and nepo babies walked the stage.
In the past, the Pink collection would be showcased by new faces to the brand, introducing them to audiences before they joined the rest of the cast. Angels Elsa Hosk and Gigi Hadid walked for Pink during their Victoria’s Secret debut.
What was once fun, exciting and playful is now, from my perspective, leaning towards boring and cringey. Lila Moss, daughter of supermodel Kate Moss, and Iris Law, daughter of actor Jude Law, walked the stage wearing knit beanies and over-the-knee striped socks. Influencers with massive social media followings, like Quenlin Blackwell and Gabriela Moura, and actress Barbie Ferreira also were featured.
Despite being gorgeous girls with amazing physiques, their walks were stiff compared to the supermodels preceding and following them. Blackwell’s runway training consisted of one runway class and advice from other models right before the show, as seen in her YouTube vlog. Put up against models with years of training and experience, there’s an understandable gap in performance.
As a viewer, their presence was unexciting and eye-rolling.
Of course, Victoria’s Secret isn’t scouting out the next generation of supermodels anymore. Why would they, when they already have a free selection of nepo babies and influencers waiting to be chosen?
Not to say that nepo-babies are always a miss - the Hadid sisters are proof of successful nepotism. Heritage alone, however, didn’t earn their spots as America's top supermodels. Their success is a matter of talent, precision and professionalism - traits the rebranded Victoria’s Secret should do a better job looking for.
If cheapening the brand and its fanatical elements is something the show is striving for, there is no problem casting non-models to walk the runway. However, if facilitating a new generation of top supermodels - one that is more inclusive than ever before - is a goal, Victoria’s Secret should switch gears.
Forget background, age or body type. Scout the hidden gems who know how to project the fantasy - the ones with the “it” factor and a work ethic to support it.
Candice Swanepoel grew up in South Africa and was scouted at a flea market. Anok Yai was scouted at a college homecoming celebration while studying biochemistry. Imaan Hammam was scouted at age 13 at Amsterdam Central Station.
Each of these women grew to be international supermodels, closing the final segment of the VS fashion show wearing diamond-ornated black lingerie. Their talent and icon status are palpable, reinstating Victoria’s Secret as a sexy, classic and timeless brand.
Missy Elliot was the closing performer, ending the show with an electric medley of her greatest hits. The performance was a fitting conclusion for a glamorous, star-studded night. Other than a few casting misses, Adam Selman truly brought the fashion show back to life.
I hope Victoria’s Secret continues to uphold high standards for their most anticipated annual event. From this year’s show, it’s evident that a comeback with more inclusivity is entirely possible, as long as the fantasy remains.
At the end of the day, all us viewers want is something to cheer at, glass of wine in one hand, bowl of popcorn in the other. This is our Super Bowl - treat it with care, please.
Vanessa Norris is a second-year journalism student at the University of Florida. She is an online writer for Rowdy Magazine and loves all things books, movies, politics and pop culture.