After navigating years of shifting brand identity, the 2025 Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show made a powerful statement in New York, embracing its signature sultry style while celebrating a diverse lineup of models and electrifying musical performances, including stars like Sarah Jessica Parker and Missy Elliott, as the brand looks to reclaim its legendary status.
The streets of New York City shimmered with anticipation as the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show made its highly anticipated return on Wednesday, October 15, 2025, from the iconic Brooklyn Navy Yard. This year’s event marked a significant shift for the lingerie giant, signaling a bold move back to its signature “unapologetically sexy” aesthetic, while still championing a diverse range of talent.
For fans of enduring glamour and spectacle, this show promised a blend of cherished traditions and refreshing new energy. After a period of reinvention that saw the brand experiment with a more inclusive, comfort-focused image, the 2025 show sought to recapture the dazzling allure that once made it a global cultural phenomenon, reminiscent of the captivating elegance found in classic Hollywood cinema.
The Grand Return to Glamour
Under the leadership of CEO Hillary Super, who assumed her role in September 2024, Victoria’s Secret has decisively pivoted back to its “classic bombshell appeal.” Super openly acknowledged that previous leadership had allowed the brand to become “watered down,” with decisions driven by a fear of backlash rather than a clear vision. This strategic redirection aims to balance modern inclusivity with the provocative designs and seductive lingerie that defined its early decades.
The brand’s return to its roots is a deliberate response to criticism that its traditional glamour had been lost during its recent rebrand. While the 2024 comeback show embraced diversity with plus-size and transgender models, some critics felt it lacked the high-octane spectacle and distinct allure the show was known for. The 2025 event, however, was designed to fuse the brand’s iconic style with an evolved understanding of beauty, promising an unforgettable night for enthusiasts who appreciate both heritage and progress.
Star Power on the Pink Carpet
The pre-show pink carpet was a glittering affair, drawing a constellation of Hollywood and fashion elite. Pop sensation Madison Beer, 26, set the tone in a sheer black gown with daring slits, perfectly embodying the “unapologetically sexy” vibe. Her look gave tantalizing glimpses of lingerie beneath, signaling the brand’s renewed direction.
Among the many notable attendees was a surprise appearance by actress Sarah Jessica Parker, 60. Known for her enduring fashion influence, Parker arrived in a remarkably understated yet chic ensemble: a black Alexander Wang dress, a long black Dolce & Gabbana jacket, and heels from her recently closed namesake shoe brand. She revealed to stylist Law Roach that the dress was “pieces I’ve had in my closet forever,” jokingly saying she bought it “1,000 years ago,” as reported by People. Parker reflected on the brand’s cultural impact, stating, “It’s a longtime brand that’s played a role in a lot of our lives for a really, really long time.”
Other stars who graced the carpet with their presence included:
- Jodie Turner-Smith, 39, in a plunging frilly white mini dress.
- Rainey Qualley, 36, showcasing her legs in a delicate lace number.
- Whitney Port, 40, in an effortlessly chic black dress with side cutouts.
- Isan Elba, 23, in a lace-up mini dress that flaunted her toned legs.
- Jordyn Woods, 28, in a cheetah print puffer.
- Patrick Schwarzenegger, 32, rocking an all-black look with a silver chain.
- Karen Gillan, 37, opting for sheer black elegance.
- Tessa Brooks, 26, in a plunging black dress.
Runway Legends and Rising Stars
The 2025 runway showcased an exciting blend of past and present, celebrating both the legacy of the Angels and the fresh faces defining modern beauty. Legendary Victoria’s Secret Angels such as Adriana Lima, Alessandra Ambrosio, Candice Swanepoel, Behati Prinsloo, Lily Aldridge, and Taylor Hill made triumphant returns, reminding audiences of the iconic glamour that shaped the show for decades.
They were joined by other returning supermodels, including Gigi Hadid, Joan Smalls, Irina Shayk, Ashley Graham, and Anok Yai. The brand also introduced a new wave of diverse talent, reflecting its commitment to a broader representation of beauty:
- WNBA star Angel Reese made her highly anticipated runway debut, expressing her excitement to People that she “couldn’t stop smiling” when she received the news.
- Influencer Quenlin Blackwell.
- Plus-size models Yumi Nu and Precious Lee.
- Actress Barbie Ferreira.
- Rising star Iris Law.
- Additional models including Alex Consani, Paloma Elsesser, and Valentina Sampaio (who was the brand’s first transgender model).
This dynamic mix aimed to infuse fresh energy while honoring the iconic allure for which the show is revered, appealing to a fan base that values both tradition and evolution.
A Soundtrack for the Ages
Music has always been an integral part of the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show, complementing the high-energy catwalk with star-studded performances. This year’s lineup continued that tradition with an impressive all-female roster, ensuring a night filled with vibrant entertainment:
- Grammy-winning hip-hop icon Missy Elliott.
- Colombian reggaeton superstar Karol G.
- Global K-pop sensation TWICE, whose performance announcement sparked immense excitement among their fanbase, as noted by Victoria’s Secret on Instagram.
- Pop star Madison Beer, who also graced the pink carpet.
These powerful artists delivered performances that amplified the show’s glamorous atmosphere, creating a multi-sensory spectacle that captivated the audience.
A Legacy Reimagined: From Dominance to Rebirth
The Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show, which first debuted in 1995, quickly became a cultural phenomenon, attracting millions of viewers worldwide. For decades, it was one of the most coveted runway events in fashion, synonymous with top models and A-list performers. However, its reign faced significant challenges, leading to its cancellation in 2019.
The cancellation came amidst growing criticism over the brand’s lack of diversity in body types and controversial comments made by former Chief Marketing Officer Ed Razek regarding transgender and plus-size models. Additionally, the company faced intense scrutiny over allegations of a toxic work environment and harassment by former executives, as reported in a 2020 New York Times article. Former CEO Martin Waters, reflecting on that period, admitted that the brand was “regarded as inappropriate and off-color and we had to correct those mistakes.”
Following the 2019 hiatus, Victoria’s Secret attempted to reinvent itself. The 2024 return aimed for a more inclusive approach, featuring plus-size and transgender models like Valentina Sampaio. While this step was celebrated by many, some critics felt that the traditional glamour and brand identity had been diluted. CEO Hillary Super’s strategy for the 2025 show explicitly addresses this by embracing the brand’s classic bombshell appeal while maintaining a commitment to diverse representation. This approach seeks to honor the brand’s rich heritage of spectacle and allure, much like a timeless classic film that evolves while retaining its core essence, ensuring its continued relevance for a new generation of fans.
