After a six-year hiatus, the 2025 Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show captivated audiences with explosive performances from musical icons like Missy Elliott and Karol G, while its red carpet delivered both dazzling supermodel moments and eyebrow-raising sartorial missteps.
The iconic Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show made its much-anticipated return on Wednesday, October 15, 2025, after a six-year hiatus. Kicking off at 7 PM in New York City at the brand’s flagship store on 640 Fifth Avenue, the event promised a night of high-stakes fashion and electrifying musical performances. As one of the most coveted runways in the world, the show’s comeback brought a fresh energy, featuring a lineup of diverse talent and unforgettable style statements, for better or worse.
The spectacle was broadcast live, reaching a global audience via Amazon Live and all of Victoria’s Secret’s social media platforms. Last year’s return show garnered an impressive viewership of over 2.67 million, according to Billboard, a testament to the enduring appeal of the brand and its star-studded events. This year aimed to surpass that, blending fashion and music in a dynamic, fast-paced presentation.
A Historic All-Female Musical Powerhouse
For only the second time in its long history, the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show featured an all-women performance lineup, marking a significant moment for representation on the global stage. This follows the 2024 show, which also featured an all-female roster including legendary acts like Cher, BLACKPINK’s Lisa, and Tyla. The musical acts for 2025 included a blend of hip-hop royalty, Latin pop sensations, and K-pop stars, ensuring a diverse soundscape for the runway.
Missy Elliott Shuts Down the Show
Headlining the night was none other than Grammy-winning rapper Missy Elliott, who delivered an electrifying medley of her greatest hits. Her performance radiated energy, clad in an all-black ensemble adorned with shimmering silver embellishments. Accompanied by an electric crew of dancers, Elliott proved why she remains a timeless icon in music, shutting down the show with her signature style.
Her powerful setlist included:
- ‘Minute Man’
- ‘Get Ur Freak On’
- ‘Work It’
- ‘Lose Control’
This performance followed her standout appearance at the Coachella Music Festival earlier in the year, as highlighted by Harper’s Bazaar, further solidifying her status as a live performance powerhouse.
Karol G, Madison Beer, and TWICE Add International Flair
Colombian superstar Karol G brought a powerful shout-out to her Latin heritage, performing two songs that resonated deeply with the audience. Her set included:
- ‘Ivonny Bonita’
- ‘Latina Forever’
Karol G also graced the runway herself towards the end of her set, earning a well-deserved standing ovation, as reported by NME.
Pop star Madison Beer also captivated the audience with a performance that included the live debut of her song ‘Bittersweet’, alongside fan favorites:
- ‘Make You Mine’
- ‘Bittersweet’
- ‘Yes Baby’
Adding to the global appeal, K-pop girl group TWICE delivered a memorable performance. They hold the distinction of being only the second K-pop act to perform at the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show, following BLACKPINK’s Lisa’s appearance last year.
The Evolution of Musical Performances at VSFS
While the musical performances are now integral to the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show experience, they weren’t always a staple. The first live musical acts at the annual show began in 2001, coinciding with the brand’s first televised event. That inaugural performance in New York City featured Mary J. Blige. Since then, the show has attracted an impressive roster of talent, including Destiny’s Child, Justin Timberlake, Rihanna, Taylor Swift, and the Spice Girls, transforming it into a major music showcase alongside the fashion.
Sartorial Nightmares: The Worst Dressed List
While the runway featured a slew of famous supermodels like Irina Shayk, Adriana Lima, Emily Ratajkowski, Alessandra Ambrosio, Lily Aldridge, Barbara Palvin, Behati Prinsloo, and Joan Smalls, and the audience was packed with stars like Ashley Graham, Candice Swanepoel, Doutzen Kroes, Paloma Elsesser, Stella Maxwell, and Taylor Hill, not everyone hit the mark on the red carpet. The 2025 Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show saw a mix of glamorous dresses and stunning looks, but also a significant number of “sartorial nightmares and fashion fails,” as noted by the Daily Mail.
From over-the-top ruffles to nearly naked looks, some celebrities completely missed the mark with their bizarre outfit choices for the fashion event. Here are some of the most talked-about fashion fails:
- Emira d’Spain: Led the worst-dressed list with a busy ensemble featuring ruffles, lace, silver chains, and feathered shoes and gloves.
- Hannah Godwin: Suffered an awkward moment in a see-through purple gown with a matching feather boa, forcing her to cover up due to no bra.
- Ayan Broomfield: Another see-through moment, her black mini dress offered no coverage underneath, using only a chain to hide her assets.
- Jordyn Woods: Her bright yellow leopard-print jacket garnered attention for all the wrong reasons.
- Eva Gutowski: Opted for a white crop top with bizarre cut-outs near the breasts and matching pants, topped with a very strange headpiece.
- Dascha Polanco: Wore a sheer black bodysuit paired with a black skirt, a small piece of fabric over her chest, and a trench coat.
- Chloë Sevigny: Her pink dress featured an excessive amount of ruffles, made worse by a dramatic neckpiece.
- Hannah Berner: Arrived in a sheer, figure-hugging gown adorned with floral detailing.
- Amy Sedaris: Her bubblegum top clashed with a light pink tiered skirt due to mismatched shades of pink.
- Jodie Turner-Smith: Her strange ensemble was likened more to a blanket or shower curtain than a dress.
- Jessica Wang: Donned a haltered green frock with bizarre hanging tassels.
- Ciara Miller: Hit the carpet in a strangely-shaped skirt and a matching bra that barely offered coverage.
- Ivy Getty: Her white dress was overwhelmed with elements, including a giant bird, a dramatic patterned chest area, and tassels on the skirt.
- Christina Kirkman: Earned a spot on the list for her fishnet dress.
The Vision Behind the Spectacle
Victoria’s Secret executive creative director Adam Selman shared insights into his vision for the highly anticipated runway show. As quoted by Harper’s Bazaar, Selman stated, “It was once dubbed the biggest fashion show in the world, and I think it still is. But it’s something that transcends fashion in a whole different cultural way.” He emphasized a desire for a fast-paced, visually rich experience: “I have this idea that I want it to be fast. Our attention span is so fast, and so I almost want you, when you’re watching the show—whether you’re watching it from home or in the audience—to not know where to look because it’s just a feast for the eyes. This is the pace of culture, it’s the pace we’re living at, because I don’t think it can be just one model down the runway and then one back the whole time.”
The 2025 Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show successfully recaptured public attention, proving that despite its evolution, the brand still knows how to put on a memorable show filled with iconic performances and conversation-starting fashion. From the historic all-female lineup to the daring red carpet looks, the event truly was a feast for the eyes, reflecting the fast-paced nature of contemporary culture and fashion.
