The 2025 Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show marked a pivotal moment for the brand, returning after a six-year hiatus with a renewed commitment to diversity and a star-studded lineup of legendary ‘angels’ and contemporary models. While the runway celebrated inclusivity and nostalgia, the event’s pink carpet drew widespread criticism, with many celebrity guest outfits dubbed ’embarrassing’ and lacking the expected ‘class’ by social media users and fashion commentators.
After a six-year absence, the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show made its highly anticipated return on October 15 in New York City. The brand, which last held its iconic show in 2018, underwent a significant transformation during its hiatus, responding to global shifts towards equality, justice, and diversity. This evolution included inviting new ambassadors, expanding its size range, supporting various charitable initiatives, and creating projects centered on women. The decision to bring back the live runway event was largely driven by a strong demand from fans, as the brand stated, “our customers became the center of everything we do, and they clearly and loudly told us they missed the VS show. This was our starting point.”
The Grand Return: A Brand Reimagined
The 2025 show sought to recapture the spectacle of its predecessors while embracing a more inclusive vision. The initial departure from the runway was largely due to criticism regarding the lack of diversity and the objectification of women. In response, Victoria’s Secret launched initiatives focusing on body positivity and empowerment. The triumphant return was not just a nostalgic rehash but a strategic move; fashion industry reports, such as those by WWD, indicated that the brand aimed to increase profits by reviving the legendary show, hoping to boost sales in the coming year.
Nostalgia Meets the New Generation on the Runway
One of the most thrilling aspects of the comeback was the return of beloved “Angels” who graced the runways in the 2000s, tapping into a powerful wave of nostalgia. Fans were delighted to see familiar faces alongside the new guard.
Returning legends included:
- Candice Swanepoel
- Josephine Skriver
- Alessandra Ambrosio
- Doutzen Kroes
- Tyra Banks
- Adriana Lima
- Behati Prinsloo
The return of Adriana Lima, at 42, generated particular excitement, especially after she publicly addressed social media criticism regarding her appearance, delivering a powerful message of self-acceptance. Behati Prinsloo, marking her 11th appearance, expressed her anticipation for the brand’s evolution, telling People that she was “curious to know how they would bring back the show, keep it authentic to VS, but make it fresh and new and different and inclusive and all those things.”
The show also saw some historical debuts. Supermodel Kate Moss, 50, walked the Victoria’s Secret runway for the first time, joined by her 22-year-old daughter, Lila Moss. French model and singer Carla Bruni, 56, also made her debut, further emphasizing the brand’s commitment to age diversity. The runway also featured contemporary stars like Gigi Hadid, who opened the show in a soft pink silk ensemble, her sister Bella Hadid in a striking red look, Vittoria Ceretti, Rianne Van Rompaey, and Paloma Elsesser.
In a powerful statement on inclusivity, Ashley Graham, 36 and a mother of three, donned her wings once more, stating her desire to show other women that “no one has the right to clip their wings and feel confident.” This broad casting aimed to address past criticisms and truly offer lingerie for women of all ages and body types.
A Star-Studded Soundtrack: All-Female Power
The musical lineup for the 2025 show was a historic moment for the brand, featuring an exclusively female roster of performers. Legendary singer and actress Cher headlined the event, delivering a powerful performance with her hit song “Believe” to close the show. She was joined by an array of talented contemporary artists, including Lisa, Tyla, Karol G, Missy Elliott, Madison Beer, and K-pop girl group Twice, ensuring a high-energy and empowering soundtrack.
The Pink Carpet Controversy: When Guest Fashion Fell Short
While the runway aimed for a triumphant and inclusive return, the pink carpet arrivals for the 2025 Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show guests sparked considerable debate and widespread criticism among netizens and fashion critics. Many celebrity outfits were heavily mocked online, with one user on Bored Panda sarcastically calling it a “TEMU catwalk” and another dubbing the overall display an “embarrassing disaster.” The disparity between the carefully curated runway looks and some of the guest ensembles became a major talking point.
Wardrobe Woes and Mismatched Aesthetics
Several stars found themselves on the “worst dressed” list due to various fashion missteps. Bachelor in Paradise star Hannah Godwin, for instance, stepped onto the carpet in a semi-sheer purple gown with a plunging neckline. Without visible undergarments on top, she was seen uncomfortably covering her breasts, leading to a wardrobe hiccup and comments like “My eyes are literally bleeding.”
Actress Jodie Turner-Smith wore a glittery, bedazzled one-piece swimsuit-style ensemble under a jacket with bell cuffs and tassels. Critics found the outfit mismatched, cheap, and poorly embellished, with one user remarking, “Jodie Turner-Smith looks awful. Just yuck!”
Chloë Sevigny’s pastel pale pink minidress struggled to impress due to its uneven structure and slouchy shoulders, further blending into the carpet backdrop. A fan commented, “Chloe Sevigny looks like she got tangled up in Grandmas pink drapes and had to rush out the door.”
Dominican actress Dascha Polanco faced a wardrobe mishap with her sheer black bodysuit, where the chest fabric appeared uneven and exposed more than intended. Her knee-length trench coat also clashed with the outfit’s glamorous vibe.
Understated or Out of Place?
Even fashion icon Sarah Jessica Parker, known for delivering standout looks, failed to impress. Her all-black, one-shoulder bodycon dress with a long coat was deemed underwhelming and too “safe” for such a high-profile event, leading to comments like, “Wow, just not appealing.”
Amy Sedaris’s ensemble, a tiered bubblegum pink top with a pastel pink tulle skirt, clashed with itself and the carpet, appearing awkwardly fitted and accessorized with leopard-print kitten heels and a rhinestone bag. One user quipped, “Amy Sedaris looks like my grans toilet roll dolly cover she used to have in that outfit.”
Tennis champion Ayan Broomfield’s daring black minidress with intricate cutouts, especially its barely-there beaded gold chain top, was slammed as “tacky” and “a disaster.” Netizens further described the look as “totally desperate” and “so unflattering.”
Actress and comedian Christina Kirkman wore a beige fishnet dress over black underwear, which was criticized for awkwardly cutting off at her navel and having a messy, uneven finish around the chest. The glam styling of her hair and makeup seemed to clash with the casual, unfinished feel of the dress.
Actress Rainey Qualley’s floral lace minidress was deemed ill-fitted, with its corset appearing uncomfortably tight and the fabric looking cheap. The dress’s sheer elements also inadvertently revealed her breast under flashing cameras, drawing further criticism. A common sentiment online was, “The less famous, the more outrageous the outfits.” Other celebrities like Emira D’spain, Jessica Wang, and Hannah Berner also featured on lists of those who “failed to impress” or wore “unremarkable” outfits.
Beyond the Hype: What the 2025 Show Means for Victoria’s Secret
The 2025 Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show aimed to signal a new chapter for the brand, blending its iconic legacy with a progressive, inclusive future. While the runway successfully showcased diversity in age, body type, and representation, the highly publicized guest red carpet moments proved to be a significant challenge. The stark contrast between the brand’s efforts towards reimagining its image and the public’s perception of some celebrity fashion choices highlights the ongoing complexities of navigating contemporary fashion and social expectations. For fans, it was a mix of cherished nostalgia for the Angels and disappointment over some of the ill-received celebrity looks.
