Lingerie brand Victoria’s Secret is back in full swing for their 2025 fashion show as of October 15th in Brooklyn, New York City. After returning from a hiatus, starting with the 2019 show cancellation, Victoria’s Secret renewed this tradition in 2023 as a reimagined version, “Victoria’s Secret: The Tour.” Their 2024 show was more traditional, though many took issue with the slick-back style some models wore. The 2025 show introduced many old and new aspects, brought on a phenomenal list of performers, and showcased iconic looks reminiscent of its 2000s prime.
Traditions Revived
A key feature many viewers associate with these shows are the iconic “Victoria’s Secret Angels” who became the most prominent in the late 2000s-2010s era. Longtime angel Adriana Lima made a comeback in 2024 and continued her reign this year, showcasing a black lace look with expansive silver dangling wings. Blonde bombshell Candice Swanepoel has also made a comeback, donning dark colors like golden brown with jewels and black with rhinestones. Barbara Palvin is another 2010s angel who’s back after walking in 2024, presenting a crystal-studded set with its own angel wings. Dutch model Doutzen Kroes is another classic 2000s angel to make a return. Not only are these iconic faces back on the runway, but so are their bombshell blowouts. A major criticism of the 2024 show was the models’ slicked-back hairstyles, taking viewers out of the nostalgia of the show. Victoria’s Secret abandoned this idea and called back to the blowout style of its classic shows.
What’s New?
Victoria’s Secret switched it up this year by adding female athletes to the cast of angels. Olympic gold medalist Gymnast Sunisa “Suni” Lee and WNBA basketball player Angel Reese walked the runway, evolving the brand’s image to empower female sports. Angel showcased diverse looks, including a distressed “Angel” shirt with pink Lingerie, and a bustling 3D floral set with a flower-embellished fur. Suni lit up the runway with a glossy smile, rocking a sporty PINK set with rhinestone accessories for the PINK halftime show. Euphoria actress Barbie Ferreira also strutted the stage, displaying a red set with a sparkling denim jacket. Model Emily Ratajkowski has also debuted her angel image during this year’s show, donning a large pink flower for wings with matching pink lingerie. Other newcomers to the VS stage are Yumi Nu, Daiane Sodre, Valentina Castro, Iris Law and Amelia Gray. Gray showcased an ultra-cheeky look wearing an extra backless dress. Returning yet recently prominent faces like Alex Consani and Anok Yai also returned as angels.
Best Looks
This year’s show was divided by collections, each with its own theme and specific looks. One of my personal favorite collections was the Bombshell Collection, featuring warm pinks and pearly whites to create a showgirl-esque look. Anok Yai, Irina Shayk and others walked the runway in these 1920s reminiscent styles. Yai is featured below stunting white embroidered lingerie with pearl-embellished pink tassel wings, finalized with a pearl and pink feather headpiece.
The Bombshell Collection also featured model Paloma Elsesser, who walked the stage with white lace lingerie and ruffled floral wings. Elsesser is a plus-size model and a new debuting angel. While this look is not as representative of the showgirl style, it enhances the floral and feminine nature of the brand with lace details, pink and white compliments, and large floral wings that create a flapping illusion.
The introductory First Light Collection featured golden browns and metallic and crystal-studded wings. This is a different look for Victoria’s Secret, whose main focus is more feminine colors or black and whites, but instead, browns and golds were emphasized as one of the four collections. The delightful Barbara Palvin served a whimsical entrance look in this collection. She wore a golden brown backless lace, floor-length cowl-neck slip dress with off-shoulder tulle sleeves and a peeking brown lace bra, embellished with a crystal waist chain and pearl mini wings.
Victoria’s Secret introduced the Black Tie Collection, where models strutted the stage in all black, glamorous looks for an after-dark segment. Models like Ashley Graham, Amelia Gray, Bella Hadid, and Candice Swanepoel sported transcendent looks. Doutzen Kroes walked the runway’s Black Tie Collection in a black lace jumpsuit, bedazzled with crystal waist chains, and a bustling sparkly feather headpiece.
The Bombshell Collection captivated audiences with its floral details, but flowers become the main event in Angel Reese’s blossoming feminine ensemble. Reese dons a white lace lingerie set decorated with faux flowers of different pinks. She wears a fluffy pink and floral shawl to match.
Performances
This year’s show was serenaded by several hit artists, who performed each collection in entrancing displays and choreography. The first performer was Madison Beer, who was joined by backup dancers referencing showgirls with their gloves, crystals, and pink folding fans. Beer sang “Make You Mine,” “Bittersweet,” and “Yes Baby” dressed in a champagne satin corset and shorts, embellished with rhinestones and fluffy, light pink wings.
Next up was K-Pop brand TWICE, who performed at the PINK halftime show. The group mostly sported knee-length, fluffy pink boots with all different Victoria’s Secret outfits, featuring lace, sparkles, cheetah print, and other street style elements that align with the PINK brand. They sang songs “This is For” and “Strategy.”
The Hot Pursuit Collection introduced Karol G to the stage in a sheer red lace gown with a red satin wrap skirt and a red lace bra showing underneath, as well as sheer red wings. She sang “Ivonny Bonita” and “Latina Foreva,” emphasizing the sultry and scandalous essence of the collection.
The final collection, Black Tie, brought rapper Missy Elliot on stage to wrap up the show with hit songs like “One Minute Man,” “Get Ur Freak On,” “Work It,” and “Lose Control.” The artist wore a black jumpsuit with crystal embellishments and accessories to match the theme of the collection.
This year’s show featured an old and new star-studded cast, fascinating and diverse looks, as well as captivating performances. Many applauded the brand for bringing back the atmosphere of its classic shows. Victoria’s Secret anticipates a 2026 show, and viewers hope they keep these traditions alive.