Lights. Camera. Action. And with that, comes an end to the 2025 Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show that took place on the night of October 15th. The highly anticipated fashion show reeled in fans from all over the world. However, this year did not just bring in fans, but controversy surrounding the show, the looks, and most of all, the models. It’s not unknown that the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show last year was a major setback for Victoria’s Secret. From the one too many slick-backs, to the fans who raged about the models not wearing better, more sophisticated, wings. This year’s fashion show was a success because it did right what last year lacked. Yet, issues still arose concerning many models, viewers scrutinizing every inch of their bodies.
“VS supermodels are not supposed to be inclusive. They are called angels for a reason,” is what some fans raged about on the internet after witnessing a diverse group of models on the runway. The image of women being too short, or not thin enough was a major issue for a few, who wished to see unrealistic bodies, and the vision of VS angels being the embodiment of perfect women did not help with that aspect. The controversy surrounding women and body shapes has been ongoing for centuries, and is not a new phenomenon; women’s bodies have always been a symbol of beauty and appeal. Thus, sentiments such as not everyone is meant to be a model have been circulating on social media platforms on TikTok and Instagram. Models who have worked hard at creating the perfect bodies are, to the dismay of many, being outcasted by influencers, and the rise of of diverse body types. A handful of models did not return to the runway, including Gisele, Elsa Hosk, and Dilone.
Another area of concern for individuals was the lack of models themselves, who were seemingly being replaced by influencers and athletes. This move by Victoria’s Secret, designed to increase visibility and attract new fans, was seen as a setback for those looking to see models be the only ones to walk the runway. The appearances of Olympic gold medalist Suni Lee and WNBA player Angel Reese had a lot of contention prior to the start of the event. A few viewers, including Sabi, owner of Sabi Gaia skin care company, claimed athletes should not be the focus of the fashion show, as it created an “unprofessional” atmosphere.
Despite the inclusion of new faces to the fashion show, the overall performance and looks of each model was highly impressive and gave a new look to the fashion show, according to ELLE, a fashion and beauty newsletter. Madison Beer’s performance in the beginning left a satisfactory impression on viewers. And figures such as the Hadid sisters left viewers stunned with their beauty and grace.
In the end, the stigma surrounding a perfect body and a thin frame is one that no one can resist is rooted in the deeper nature of what beauty and perfection has become in our society. Despite these constructs, this year’s VS Fashion Show displayed its efforts to continue working towards a modern and newer version of its fashion show and brand, not getting held up with nostalgia. Victoria’s Secret is set to continue expanding and bringing in newer styles of production and faces. This year’s show demonstrated the potential of Victoria’s Secret to bring more variety and creativity.
