The 2025 Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show was my Super Bowl (sorry, Sports Editors…). From the shimmering stage at Steiner Studios in New York City to the performances by Karol G, Madison Beer, Missy Elliott and TWICE, every moment was a feast for the senses. This year’s show wasn’t just about lingerie, but storytelling and star power.
Still, beneath all the glitter and reinvention, there was tension that asked: Can Victoria’s Secret truly balance inclusivity with the fantasy it built its empire on?
After years of criticism and major brand overhauls, Victoria’s Secret returned to the runway in 2024 with something to prove. The brand’s previous attempt at redemption leaned heavily on the familiar, bringing in models like Adriana Lima and Tyra Banks to bridge the gap between nostalgia and reinvention that acted as a gentle reintroduction to audiences that were still skeptical of the brand’s promises of change.
But 2025 felt like a true rebirth. Instead of relying solely on legacy faces, the show spotlighted a new generation of talent and a global range of beauty. The casting was noticeably more diverse in size and background in addition to personality and presence. Each model represented a distinct story rather than a single, unattainable fantasy.
Online discourse surrounded the casting of athletes Angel Reese and Suni Lee, whose inclusion blurred the line between sport and spectacle. Their presence on the runway redefined the physicality of beauty. Reese’s confident stride and Lee’s poise challenged the traditional image of the “angel” while proving that strength and femininity can co-exist.
Speaking of power, the blowouts were their own spectacle. Gone were the slicked-back ponytails of the 2024 runway, a choice that many fans criticized for pulling the show’s signature glam. This year, Victoria’s Secret brought back the big, bouncy volume that made the Angels iconic, pairing modern looks with that nostalgic, high-gloss allure. It was a meaningful detail that reminded audiences that the brand can evolve without losing its sense of fun.
The return of the blowout felt like Victoria’s Secret actually listened to its audience. Social media erupted in approval, with fans celebrating the revival of glossy, flowing hair that moved with every turn.
In terms of the musical performances, the 2025 lineup delivered the perfect mix of nostalgia and new-age pop flair. Madison Beer opened the show with a sultry performance of her recent singles (“Make You Mine,” “Bittersweet” and “Yes Baby”). TWICE (specifically members Tzuyu, Jihyo, Nayeon and Momo) followed with a rendition of two of its hit songs, “This Is For” and “Strategy.” Following this, Karol G performed two songs from her latest album Tropicoqueta, “Ivonny Bonita” and “Latina Foreva.” Concluding the performances, Missy Elliott brought the house down with “One Minute Man” and “Get Ur Freak On.”
The garments themselves were a masterclass in contrast. Each segment of the show told its own visual story, from metallic corsetry inspired by early 2000s iconography to fluid silks and sheer fabrics that nodded to contemporary minimalism. For example, Jasmine Tookes walked the runway while nine months pregnant, showcasing her strength and grace that encapsulated the show’s new ethos of beauty as empowerment.
Another standout was Candice Swanepoel, specifically her bronze look with gilded wings that glimmered under the stage lights. Her look and confidence felt both nostalgic and refreshingly modern.
My personal favorite was Emila Ratajkowski. Her wings were created brilliantly like ginormous petals, giving the illusion of a blooming flower. The wrapped heels and pink gloves made the entire look feel like wearable poetry. This segment embodied the balance between sensuality and artistry that felt distinctly 2025 Victoria’s Secret.
The 2025 Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show proved that reinvention doesn’t mean abandoning identity. For a brand that was once built of pure fantasy, this year’s show felt grounded in something real: power, presence and possibility.
