As lights dimmed and music swelled, Victoria’s Secret stepped back into the spotlight with the 2025 edition of their classic fashion show. For a brand that has been trying to regain its footing in recent years, this year’s event signified a triumphant return and a progressive reinvention.
After a six-year hiatus, the brand’s cautious 2024 relaunch fell short of fan’s expectations. Many of the models — or Angels, as the brand calls them — sported slick-back ponytails rather than the iconic bouncy blowouts of earlier shows. Many of the wings worn by the models were small and nowhere near the statement that they had been in the past.
This year, however, Victoria’s Secret not only tapped into the nostalgia of the early shows, but affirmed that they are keen to meet the moment.
Returning stars and new voices
The line-up was nothing short of impressive. Veterans like Adriana Lima and Bella Hadid walked twice down the runway. New, boundary-pushing Angels were featured this year as well, including athletes, diverse body types and models whose stories spoke to a broader audience than ever before.
WNBA player Angel Reese, for example, was the first professional athlete to ever walk the show. At 6 feet, 3 inches (not including the five-inch heels), Reese dominated the stage, appearing first in a two-piece set with 3D flowers and second in a hot pink t-shirt with “Angel” in rhinestones across the front.
Reese’s looks showed not just spectacle, but also a message: Beauty is athleticism. Beauty is strength.
Also among the new angels was Alex Consani, who made history in the 2024 show as the first transgender model to walk for Victoria’s Secret. At 22, Consani has risen to popularity in the fashion industry in recent years for her candid social media presence, advocacy for diversity in fashion and many achievements, including becoming the first trans woman to win “Model of the Year” at the 2024 British Fashion’s Council awards. Her return for the 2025 show signals that this isn’t a one-off performance for inclusivity, but a genuine shift in representation.
The classic aspects we remember
Long-time fans of the show know what we’ve missed – the wings, the blowouts, the high-energy performances. This year, all of those aspects were back.
While some of the wings were similar to the iconic ones of the past, others were more artistic and abstract. Alessandra Ambrosio walked with a giant pair that resembled a black masquerade mask, and Jasmine Tookes wore a giant seashell on her back as she walked – while nine months pregnant.
From the moment the opening beat dropped, the stage was lit up with energy from the performers. The headliners included Madison Beer, a pop singer who gained popularity on TikTok and held killer vocals throughout her entire performance. The K-Pop group TWICE brought choreography and, at one point, even encouraged the angels to dance with them, inviting fun into the mix.
In other words, it wasn’t just a nostalgia trip. The Victoria’s Secret 2025 show did exactly what I had hoped for: it honored the meaning of the brand and showed the brand’s commitment to moving forward and creating lasting change. It was inclusive, confident and glittering. It was a show that felt made for 2025 – not 2008.