top of page
Search

Fashion: Angels Reborn: Inside the 2025 Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show Revival

What Is the “Return of Glamour” Trend: How the Victoria’s Secret Show Reimagined Fantasy for a New Era

  • The Revival of a Cultural IconOnce canceled in 2019 amid controversy and shifting cultural standards, the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show made a triumphant comeback — first in 2024 and again on October 15, 2025, streamed globally on Prime Video and Amazon Live.The show fused nostalgia with modern inclusivity, blending its legendary glamour with a new emphasis on diversity, empowerment, and self-expression.

  • Angels Old and NewSupermodels like Adriana Lima, Gigi Hadid, Candice Swanepoel, Bella Hadid, and Alessandra Ambrosio returned to the runway — joined by new faces such as Olympian Suni Lee, basketball star Angel Reese, and model-activist Alex Consani, symbolizing a generational handoff in the brand’s evolution.

  • The Core MessageThe event reasserted itself as more than a lingerie show — it’s now a stage for stories of resilience, confidence, and transformation.

Why It’s Trending: Nostalgia Meets Reinvention

  • Cultural ComebackThe return of the VS show reflects a broader trend in pop culture — reviving legacy brands with new values. Just like Barbie or Abercrombie, Victoria’s Secret is reinventing itself through inclusivity and storytelling.

  • Blended Celebrity and AuthenticityThe 2025 edition prioritized relatability over perfection. From athletes to mothers-to-be, the Angels represented more than beauty ideals — they embodied strength, individuality, and comeback energy.

  • High Fashion Meets High EmotionWith Missy Elliott, Karol G, Madison Beer, and K-pop group TWICE performing, the night became a hybrid of concert, couture, and cultural statement — a 360° sensory spectacle.

Overview: A Modernized Fantasy

The 2025 Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show wasn’t just a return — it was a reinvention.Held in New York City, it recaptured the brand’s signature opulence while reframing femininity as power, not perfection.It marked a generational pivot: from “Untouchable Angels” to “Authentic Icons.”

Detailed Highlights: The Night’s Defining Moments

  • Angel Reese Makes HistoryThe WNBA star became the first professional athlete to walk the VS runway, trading sneakers for stilettos and making a statement for athletic femininity.

  • Barbara Palvin Walks With a Broken FootInjured but unstoppable, Palvin’s appearance — cheered on by husband Dylan Sprouse — became a viral symbol of perseverance and professionalism.

  • Jasmine Tookes Glows With Baby BumpOpening the show while pregnant, Tookes redefined beauty and motherhood with a radiant gold look and angel wings that honored strength and life.

  • Suni Lee Channels Sporty GlamThe Olympic gymnast strutted for the Pink collection in bubblegum tones — blending youth culture and athletic energy.

  • Ashley Graham Owns the Dark SideGraham, a returning Angel, brought body positivity center stage again in black lingerie and wings, reminding viewers that confidence has no size limit.

  • Gigi Hadid’s Pink RenaissanceThe supermodel dazzled in blush lace and ethereal robes, exuding the classic fantasy aesthetic that defined early VS lore.

  • Bella Hadid’s Blonde EraNewly platinum and radiant in red lingerie, Bella symbolized reinvention — both personal and brand-wide.

  • Debuts That Defined the New VS

    • Emily Ratajkowski made her long-awaited debut in a pink jeweled set.

    • Iris Law brought Gen Z irreverence with her “Naughty-ish” crop tee and sneakers.

    • Abby Champion (freshly married) radiated energy in feathers and pearls.

  • Legends ReturnCandice Swanepoel, Adriana Lima, Alessandra Ambrosio, Lily Aldridge, and Doutzen Kroes rejoined the runway — bridging eras of beauty and brand identity.

The Performances: A Soundtrack to Empowerment

  • Missy Elliott’s Grand FinaleDressed in a bedazzled tracksuit, Missy brought down the house with “Work It,” “Get Ur Freak On,” and “Lose Control,” embodying the night’s fearless femininity.

  • Karol G’s Red-Hot MomentThe Colombian pop star strutted alongside models in a matching scarlet jumpsuit, blending Latin rhythm with runway glamour.

  • Madison Beer’s Angelic PerformanceDressed in feathers and pink satin, Beer delivered a nostalgic pop fantasy that harkened back to VS’s golden age.

  • TWICE’s K-Pop TakeoverThe girl group electrified the audience with coordinated pink-and-black ensembles, cementing VS’s global, Gen Z-facing shift.

Key Success Factors: How the Show Reclaimed Relevance

  • Diversity as Direction, Not DecorationBy featuring athletes, pregnant models, and diverse body types, VS demonstrated evolution — not tokenism.

  • Streaming-First StrategyBroadcasting across Prime Video and social channels allowed global access, tapping into younger, digital-first audiences.

  • Music x Fashion FusionBy blending performance and runway, the show reclaimed its identity as a cultural event, not just a commercial showcase.

Key Takeaway: Empowerment Replaces Objectification

The new Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show celebrates individuality, courage, and authenticity.It’s no longer about an unattainable ideal — it’s about owning your story, your body, and your stage.

Core Trend: “Reconstructed Glamour”

Luxury brands are learning to blend nostalgia with inclusivity, reviving old icons for a generation that values confidence over conformity.

Description of the Trend: Fantasy with a Purpose

“Sexy” has been redefined — less about seduction, more about self-celebration.The 2025 show proves that fantasy can be inclusive, aspirational, and still unapologetically glamorous.

Key Characteristics: What Defines the New VS Era

  • Emotional Visibility — Models sharing real stories, from motherhood to injury.

  • Cultural Hybridity — Crossovers with sports, music, and social media.

  • Modern Mythmaking — Angels reborn as multidimensional women, not archetypes.

Market and Cultural Signals

  • Fashion Shows as EntertainmentBlurring the line between concert, film, and runway is becoming the norm (see Balmain Festival or Fenty X Savage).

  • Representation-Driven BrandingConsumers reward brands that show progress, not perfection.

  • Revival EconomyCultural comebacks (Barbie, Abercrombie, VS) leverage nostalgia with modern values for emotional resonance.

Consumer Motivation

  • Reclaiming FantasyAudiences want beauty that feels powerful, not performative.

  • Emotional ConnectionFans reengage when legacy brands acknowledge their evolution.

  • Inclusive Aspiration“I could be that” replaces “I’ll never be that” — a subtle but seismic mindset shift.

Motivation Beyond the Trend

  • Empathy in AestheticsBeauty narratives now center on humanity, not hierarchy.

  • Confidence as CultureEmpowerment is no longer niche — it’s the mainstream currency of femininity.

Consumer Description: The “Modern Angel”

  • Who They AreMultigenerational women who embrace individuality — from Gen Z dreamers to Millennial mothers.

  • MindsetThey view lingerie as both armor and art: expressive, personal, and unapologetically theirs.

  • BehaviorThey engage with fashion through social storytelling, valuing emotion as much as aesthetics.

How the Trend Is Changing Consumer Behavior

  • Performance x Fashion HybridizationExpect more music-driven runway events and immersive digital streams.

  • Empowered PurchasingLingerie becomes an act of self-expression, not seduction.

  • Cultural Reinvestment in Legacy BrandsRedemption arcs drive emotional loyalty and long-term engagement.

Implications Across the Ecosystem

  • For Fashion BrandsNarrative authenticity is the new runway — emotional connection trumps spectacle.

  • For Media PlatformsHybrid streaming experiences are redefining live fashion’s reach.

  • For ConsumersRepresentation fuels reengagement — audiences want to see themselves in the fantasy.

Strategic Forecast

  • Short-Term (2025–2026)Continued VS brand rehabilitation and collaboration with artists and athletes.

  • Mid-Term (2027–2030)Rise of “participatory fashion shows” integrating AR and consumer co-creation.

  • Long-Term (2031–2035)Legacy fashion brands evolve into entertainment ecosystems merging culture, content, and commerce.

Areas of Innovation

  • Virtual Runway ExperiencesInteractive streaming and fan-driven moments.

  • Inclusive Design ExpansionFunctional fashion merging luxury and everyday comfort.

  • Cross-Industry CollaborationMore athlete, musician, and influencer partnerships blurring beauty and identity.

Summary of Trends

  • Core Consumer Trend: “Empowered Femininity”Strength and sensuality coexist in harmony.

  • Core Social Trend: “Reclaiming Fantasy”Beauty narratives evolve toward inclusivity and pride.

  • Core Strategy: “Nostalgia, Reimagined”Legacy icons reborn for modern values.

  • Core Industry Trend: “Fashiontainment”Fashion merges with entertainment and tech.

  • Core Motivation: “Confidence Without Compromise”Consumers embrace individuality as glamour.

  • Trend Implication: “The New Angel Archetype”Empowered, expressive, and endlessly evolving.

Final Thought: The Wings Have Grown Wiser

The 2025 Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show wasn’t just a return to form — it was a rebirth.Gone are the days of unattainable perfection; in their place stands a chorus of real, radiant women reclaiming what it means to shine.In the age of authenticity, even angels have learned to be human — and that’s what makes them unforgettable.

Comments

bottom of page