After years of rebranding and reflection, Victoria’s Secret is still trying to answer one question: What does sexy look like today?

Last year, the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show made a high-profile comeback after a six-year hiatus. The show was cancelled in 2019 following public backlash to misogynistic and trans-exclusionary remarks from then-chief marketing officer Ed Razek, who resigned that same year. The controversy became symbolic of the brand’s identity crisis — Victoria’s Secret had lost touch with the zeitgeist of body positivity and gender inclusivity reshaping the fashion industry. With declining sales and ratings, the show’s viewership hit “rock bottom” in 2018, prompting a years-long retreat until its 2024 comeback.

On Oct. 15, the fashion show returned again, blending nostalgia with a new generation of Angels accompanied by four unique musical performances. The runway reflected both the brand’s heritage and the changing face of modern femininity. Legacy Angels such as Adriana Lima, Candice Swanepoel and the Hadid sisters walked alongside newcomers like professional basketball player Angel Reese and Olympic gymnast Suni Lee. Joining them in the debut class were internet personality Quenlin Blackwell and actress Barbie Ferreira. The 2024 debut angels Alex Consani and Ashley Graham also returned to strut the runway again this year.

The show’s intentional inclusivity stands against the current turn toward conservatism in both American fashion and society. In tandem with the mix of past and present Angel generations, the designs themselves delivered a dynamic blend of both classic and experimental aesthetics. Lace-lined satin lingerie and oversized wings stood in striking contrast to sportier, edgier pieces, entertaining the dialogue between tradition and reinvention.

While many of these looks appealed to the audience, some long-time fans expressed disappointment with the lack of extravagance. The Fantasy Bra — a staple of Victoria’s Secret Fashion Shows that is notoriously priced between $5 and $10 million, encrusted with thousands of jewels and multi-carat diamonds — was notably absent on this year’s runway. While the garments are outrageously expensive and intricate, their over-the-top nature is what attracted so many viewers to begin with.

The fashion show featured musical performances from balladist Madison Beer, K-pop girl group TWICE, Colombian artist Karol G and 2000’s icon Missy Elliott.

Beer’s performance stood out as a highlight to many. Undertaking the role of both model and vocalist onstage, she showcased a powerfully feminine performance in a pink corset and feathered wings. Her tracks “Make You Mine” and “Bittersweet” perfectly captured the seduction and elegance of Victoria’s Secret.

Members from TWICE sang their hits “This is For” and “Strategy” but received mixed reviews regarding the vocal performance, with one member publicly apologizing for her off-key singing on their fan platform.

Karol G impressed in an all-red sheer bodysuit, earning praise for her captivating and heartfelt musical showcase of her songs “Ivonny Bonita” and “Latina Foreva.” Though both were drastically different in style and tempo, they were equally fitting runway songs.

Missy Elliott energetically concluded the show with a medley of her hits, including “Work It” and “Lose Control,” accompanied by a large troupe of masked, eclectically dressed dancers.

Other highlights from this year’s show include the opening walk by a pregnant Jasmine Tookes, an Angel who made her debut in 2012. Model Anok Yai also garnered attention in a grand pink tassel-fringed headdress and matching wings, a visual that certainly echoed the opulence of the show’s past.

In contrast, the Pink portion of the show featured denim ensembles and even a gray sweatsuit, a highly unorthodox aesthetic on this runway. This serves as another example of the potential for audience polarization when balancing tradition with modernity in these shows. Reese and Lee made Victoria’s Secret history as the first professional athletes to ever walk the runway, signaling the company’s new emphasis on strength and athleticism as integral aspects of femininity.

While Victoria’s Secret continues to find its footing in its comeback, the 2025 fashion show was, overall, a commendable effort. In its attempt to balance reinvention and familiarity, this year’s production showed strides toward progress, though not without uncertainty. After years of public skepticism and challenges of satisfying both nostalgic fans and newer audiences, the show still grapples to define exactly what Victoria’s Secret should be. However, as it navigates evolving values of representation, the fashion show at least gave audiences something Victoria’s Secret hasn’t offered in a long time: a reason to pay attention.

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