In the fashion world, Victoria’s Secret has always been a symbol of glossy eroticism and strictly defined beauty standards: slender figures, perfect proportions, and angel wings as the finishing touch. However, with the 2025 show, the brand seems to have completed its self-reinvention.
Yesterday’s runway wasn’t just a return; it was a moment of cultural relaunch, where glamour, above all, becomes inclusive, diverse, and profound. The inclusion of pregnant models, athletes, trans models, and the return of the “old” Angels suggests that Victoria’s Secret wants to redefine it’s identity and it’s doing so boldly.
Pregnant models: the life-creating body as a symbol of beauty
One of the most powerful moments of the show was the appearance of Jasmine Tookes in her final month of pregnancy.
This wasn’t just a powerful symbolic gesture. Instead, it was a statement: a body capable of creating life deserves to be the centre of attention. Seeing a woman with a growing belly among the angels shatters long-held taboos.
Athletes and strength: when muscles are part of aesthetics
For the first time, female athletes appeared on the Victoria’s Secret runway.
For example, WNBA player Angel Reese, who became the first professional athlete to walk the VS runway. This adds new depth: femininity can be strong, athletic, and confident. It’s not just lingerie; it’s a body that works, achieves, and overcomes.
Trans Models and “Old” Angels: A Bridge Between Past and Future
The show’s models include transgender model Alex Consani (now an official Angel), as well as names like Adriana Lima and Ashley Graham, whose looks once defied the classic standard.
The return of these veterans makes this transition not a drastic rejection of the past, but a thoughtful synthesis: the brand is taking responsibility for its heritage and striving for evolution.
What does this shift mean for the brand?
Victoria’s Secret has been through a crisis: a lack of diversity, harsh comments from former top executives, and a decline in public interest.
The 2019 show was cancelled, forcing the brand to reimagine itself. Now, under a new creative director and a new strategy, the brand is trying to combine sexuality and inclusivity.
This isn’t just a marketing ploy, but a sign of maturity: embracing diversity means not making concessions, but expanding the aesthetic palette. That’s why I consider this more than just a “reset”… it’s the eroticism of a new age: sexy, beautiful, and human.
Why is this ‘True’ Beauty?
First, it’s true beauty… not in the sense that “all the standards are met” but because the images are diverse, vibrant, and emotional.
When a pregnant woman walks the runway with wings, when an athlete shows off the body she works with every day — it's visually powerful.
Second, it’s sexy. ‘Sexiness’ shouldn’t be limited to one body type or age. Inclusivity doesn’t necessarily weaken an aura but it expands it.
With sexiness comes cultural capital. Beauty, defined as 'cool,' shapes perception. Victoria's Secret's new approach could impact the industry: who we consider worthy of seeing, who we consider an angel.
A Look at the 2025 Show: Details, Episodes, and Reactions
The 2025 model lineup combined iconic names with new faces: Adriana Lima, Gigi Hadid, Bella Hadid, Anok Yai, Paloma Elsesser, Ashley Graham, Alex Consani, Angel Reese, and others.
Retro stars are back: the return of Adriana Lima and other veterans served as a bridge between the brand’s past and its new direction.
The musical accompaniment included performances by Missy Elliott, Madison Beer, Karol G, and TWICE: a fusion of culture, fashion, and music.
Media reactions noted that the brand had finally achieved a balance between inclusivity and sexuality: The Washington Post called it “a formula it should have followed sooner.”
Lovers and Haters: Eitherway VS’ Makeover is a Step Up
The new course is not without its dangers. Some will see it as a show that’s “too politically correct” or the loss of a “virgin brand.” Others will be looking for the depth of the changes, not superficial gestures. It’s important for a brand not to appear “suddenly woke,” but to demonstrate that the changes are ongoing and organic.
Equally important is how the brand addresses adaptive fashion, models with disabilities, and climate and sustainability practices; this will be the next step in judging the authenticity of the transformation.
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