Victoria’s Secret has abandoned the performance of desire, and replaced it with control.The 2025 show wasn’t loud, or nostalgic, or engineered for virality. It was composed. Curated. Built with the restraint of a brand finally aware of the responsibility of its own image.
The lineup alone signalled a tonal shift. Veterans and newcomers walked side by side: Adriana Lima, Lily Aldridge, Joan Smalls, Anok Yai, and Alex Consani were among the first confirmed Angels. Meanwhile, Yumi Nu made her debut runway appearance for the brand.
But the momentum wasn’t just in legacy names. Angel Reese, WNBA star and cultural icon, joined the cast in her first runway appearance, marking a visible gesture toward inclusion beyond the modelling stratosphere. Other new faces included Barbie Ferreira, Quenlin Blackwell, and Precious Lee.
And of course, legacy returned: Gigi Hadid and Bella Hadid walked, turning the evening partly into a sister-act revival.
In its casting, Victoria’s Secret leaned into multigenerational energy: those who defined its “Golden Era” standing beside voices of now.
The musical lineup reflected the same recalibration. This year delivered an all-female roster: Missy Elliott, Karol G, Madison Beer, and TWICE all performed.
Even within the lingerie framework, certain looks felt more like tailoring than spectacle. Jasmine Tookes, nine months pregnant, opened the runway in a gold macramé ensemble with winged accents.
The show’s casting and design gestures felt coordinated. Consider: Angel Reese’s athletic presence isn’t just novelty; it’s a symbolism of crossover; sport, fashion, identity. Bella Hadid’s return, after health struggles, staked vulnerability as power. The enduring presence of Adriana Lima and others anchored continuity.
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