The fashion world is abuzz as Emily Ratajkowski, a modeling powerhouse for over a decade, made her long-awaited debut at the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show at 34, joining a diverse cast and marking a significant moment in the brand’s “unapologetically sexy” return.
For years, fans wondered if Emily Ratajkowski, one of the most in-demand models of her generation, would ever grace the illustrious Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show runway. That wait finally ended on Wednesday, October 15, 2025, when the 34-year-old model, actress, and writer made a dramatic debut that delighted her global fanbase and cemented her status as a true fashion icon.
The 2025 edition marked the show’s second consecutive return after a six-year hiatus, and Ratajkowski’s inclusion was a pivotal moment. Fans flocked to social media, with many expressing long-held desires to see her on the legendary runway. Comedian and celebrity interviewer Ziwe declared her debut “huge for the community,” a sentiment echoed by countless supporters who deemed the moment “surreal” and “healing” for the fashion world.
A Dazzling Departure: The Orchid Ensemble
True to her trendsetting style, Ratajkowski’s ensemble was a breathtaking departure from the traditional Victoria’s Secret Angel wings. She graced the runway in a stunning pink creation, featuring enormous, undulating pink flower petals decorated with sparkling sequins strapped to her back. These petals were artfully arranged to resemble a delicate orchid, a fitting choice that complemented her elegant presence.
Her lingerie included a lacy, bubblegum-pink bra that beautifully showcased her prominent cleavage, paired with a matching high-cut thong that highlighted her flat tummy. To elevate her 5 ft 7 in stature, Emily wore open-toe heels with long straps wrapped around her legs, adorned with fuchsia-colored floral embellishments. Large pink gemstone earrings framed her exquisitely made-up face, and she completed the look with long pink gloves and lustrous, pin-straight brunette tresses with a middle part.
Despite this being not only her Victoria’s Secret debut but also her first live runway show, Ratajkowski’s confident walk gave no hint of inexperience, solidifying her natural command of the catwalk.
A Brand Reborn: Returning to its Roots
Ratajkowski’s debut coincides with a significant shift in the Victoria’s Secret brand identity. After a period of immense criticism, particularly for its lack of diversity and problematic comments by former chief marketing officer Ed Razek, the annual show was canceled in 2019. It made a return in 2024 with a more inclusive roster, featuring plus-size and transgender models like Ashley Graham and Valentina Sampaio.
However, the 2024 show was reportedly met with a “tepid response” and was described as “lackluster,” missing the traditional glamor for which the brand was known. Under new CEO Hillary Super, who took on the role in September 2024, the company announced plans to return to its “unapologetically sexy” branding, moving away from what former CEO Martin Waters called a “watered down” approach. Super acknowledged that previous decisions were made “out of fear” after a wave of backlash concerning the brand’s problematic environment under earlier leadership, as reported by The Wall Street Journal. This pivot aims to embrace its “bombshell roots” once more.
“At the time I took over, Victoria’s Secret was regarded as inappropriate and off-color and we had to correct those mistakes,” former CEO Martin Waters told The Wall Street Journal.
A Star-Studded Spectacle
The 2025 Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show was a grand affair, bringing together a mix of legendary figures, returning favorites, and exciting newcomers. Emily Ratajkowski, who once stated in a 2023 interview how surreal it felt to be included in a campaign alongside her inspirations like Gisele, Candace, Naomi, and Adriana, found herself taking her place among them.
The runway saw the return of several former Victoria’s Secret Angels, including:
- Adriana Lima
- Alessandra Ambrosio
- Doutzen Kroes
- Candice Swanepoel
- Behati Prinsloo
- Lily Aldridge
- Taylor Hill
- Stella Maxwell
- Barbara Palvin
- Grace Elizabeth
Other familiar faces from the modeling world included Gigi Hadid, her sister Bella Hadid, Joan Smalls, and Irina Shayk. The show also welcomed a fresh wave of talent, highlighting its diverse approach:
- WNBA star Angel Reese (making history as the first professional athlete to walk the VSFS runway)
- Influencer Quenlin Blackwell
- Nepo baby Iris Law
- Plus-size model Yumi Nu
- Model Daiane Sodre
- Actress Barbie Ferreira
- Plus-size model Precious Lee
Sansho Scott/BFA.com/Shutterstock
Lila Moss and Iris Law backstage at the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show.
The musical performances were equally star-studded, featuring a lineup that included Missy Elliott, Karol G, K-pop group Twice, and Madison Beer, carrying on the tradition of iconic acts from previous shows like Rihanna, Justin Bieber, and Taylor Swift.
Local Ties to the Global Runway
The 2025 show also highlighted significant local ties, with many models hailing from or maintaining connections to key fashion hubs in the Northeast. New York City, a long-standing epicenter of the fashion industry, was well-represented with models like Ashley Graham, Emily Ratajkowski, Irina Shayk, Imaan Hammam, Joan Smalls, Paloma Elsesser, Stella Maxwell, Taylor Hill, Grace Elizabeth, Devyn Garcia, Amelia Gray, and Alex Consani.
The Garden State contributed Barbie Ferreira (Maywood native and Hackensack High School alum) and Yumi Nu (born in Englewood). Pennsylvania’s strong ties included sisters Gigi Hadid and Bella Hadid, who spent much of their childhood at their family’s Bucks County farm in New Hope, alongside TikTok creator and model Kennedy Eurich from Cabot. Maryland proudly presented WNBA star Angel Reese, a Baltimore County native, marking her historic debut as the first professional athlete on the Victoria’s Secret runway.
The Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show for 2025, led by new creative director Adam Selman, proved to be the “spectacle” promised, streamed live across Victoria’s Secret’s Instagram, YouTube, TikTok, Prime Video, and Amazon Live, bringing the highly anticipated event to a global audience and ushering in a new chapter for the brand and its models.
