Lights, Cameras, Angels: The Reawakening of the Victoria's Secret Fashion Show
- Yukthamugi
- Nov 1, 2025
- 5 min read
Can't escape the 'Tzuyu Bra' on your X timeline? Our Beauty and Style writer, Yuktha, breaks down the lacy phenomenon for us, and whether Victoria Secret's comeback is true inclusivity or just old glamour in new guise.
And we’re live.
The Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show has strutted back into the spotlight after a five-year hiatus. Gone are the days of uniform Angels; in their place came a kaleidoscope of women of different sizes, shades, and stories, from pregnant supermodels to powerhouse athletes and influencers. Yet, beneath the shimmer of metallic lingerie and the glow of “angel skin” makeup, one question lingered: is this “reawakening” truly inclusive, or is it just a rebrand wrapped in wings?
The 2024 relaunch last year elicited a range of responses. The recycled wings, flimsy runway, and lack of enthusiasm were criticised. However, it's obvious that VS took notes, because this year's performance felt newer, more liberated, and genuinely more in touch with the times.
The theme, Reawakening, is Victoria’s Secret’s attempt to rise from the ashes of its 2000s reputation, that glossy but unrealistic era of size zeros and stereotypes. This time around, the brand has traded glittery excess for something more grounded (and more 2025): authenticity, inclusivity, and self-expression. The show may have been smaller, but its message was louder.
“Our collections are crafted to support customers through every phase of their life—from first bra to last, maternity to mastectomy, day to evening and everything in between. We understand the importance of ensuring our marketing also reflects the diversity of our customers and their experiences, sizes, abilities and life stages.” – Victoria’s Secret, 2023.
With the promise of diversity in mind, it was surely highlighted at the Victoria's Secret Fashion Show (VSFS) 2025, with models of various body shapes, heights, ethnicities, ages, and even occupations redefining what it means to be an "Angel". The traditional elite concept of the company has now broken down, allowing actual women to shine.
Now, let’s talk stats. During this spring/summer fashion month, only 2.0% of models across 198 shows were mid-sized, and just 0.9% were plus-sized (Vogue Business, 2025). Against that backdrop, VSFS 2025 stands out as a rare major runway actively celebrating bodies beyond the industry’s narrow norm.
The opening was pure poetry. Jasmine Tookes, radiant and nine months pregnant, took to the runway in a golden, pearl-embellished slip – a modern Venus rising from the sea. Her secret return made headlines worldwide, symbolising both motherhood and the rebirth of the brand itself.
Curvy icons like Ashley Graham and Paloma Elsesser glowed in full lingerie looks – wings and all – proving that sensuality has no size. Meanwhile, the model lineup reflected true global beauty, with Black, Latinx, South Asian, and East Asian women front and centre. Age diversity, too, got its moment, with returning Angels strutting alongside rising stars.
Then the spotlight shone on the athletes. WNBA player Angel Reese and Olympic gymnast Suni Lee traded jerseys for jewels, serving strength and sparkle in equal measure. Reese even got her own wings, and truly, it was a slam dunk.
Inclusivity took on new meaning with the presence of trans models like TikTok sensation Alex Consani, who brought fearless charisma as usual to the runway, a refreshing contrast to the brand’s exclusionary past under former Chief Marketing Officer Ed Razek. Still, the majority of models remained straight-sized and cisgender. It's proof that progress, while visible, is still a work in progress.
Fashion-wise, VSFS 2025 hit the metallic jackpot. Gone were the traditional feather wings, and in flew sculptural, architectural designs in silver and gold. Think futuristic goddesses rather than fantasy angels. Dramatic satin capes trailed behind models like liquid light, while lace and fringe details kept things dreamy. Bella Hadid’s shimmering ensemble and Candice Swanepoel’s crystal-embellished set reminded us that old-school glamour still has a heartbeat, reimagined for the new era.
Pat McGrath, the legendary makeup magician, helmed the beauty look. Her vision? Angel skin. That dewy, radiant glow that screams “heaven-sent”. Bronzed limbs gleamed thanks to Jasmine Tookes’ Brunel Body Oil, while soft glam eyes and glossy lips gave each model a luminous finish. And thankfully, the team ditched last year’s frizzy, over-styled hair for the triumphant return of the classic bombshell blowout. Big hair, big confidence – the classic VS way.
Of course, no VS show is complete without star power. This year’s musical moment came courtesy of global K-pop sensation TWICE, who electrified the VS Pink segment with their hit songs and signature choreography. It was a smart strategy, strategy – one that instantly expanded VS’s global reach. And the impact…? The “Wear Everywhere Push-Up Bra” worn by member Tzuyu sold out within hours and was immediately dubbed the Tzuyu bra. In that moment, the VS runway transformed from a Western-centric fantasy to a truly global celebration of femininity and pop culture.
But even with the glitz, the comeback wasn’t free from criticism. Some still accused the show of performative inclusivity, noting that plus-size models were occasionally styled more modestly than their thinner counterparts. Others called the “empowerment” narrative a glossy PR tactic rather than a sincere cultural shift. After all, competitors like Savage x Fenty have been walking this talk for years, setting the bar high for authentic representation.
Viewers also debated whether the new Victoria’s Secret had lost a bit of its signature magic. The fantasy, some say, has dimmed in favour of social messaging. Can inclusivity and escapism coexist on the same runway? That tension between realness and reverie may be Victoria’s Secret’s greatest challenge yet.
So, did Victoria’s Secret really rise from its ashes, or just swap its halo for a hashtag? The 2025 comeback undeniably shimmered with progress: more colours, more curves, more confidence, and a spotlight that finally felt a little less Western and a little more worldwide. The new wings are shinier, and the message is louder – yet the brand still flirts with its old fantasy, now dressed in a new, inclusive glow. Whether this “Reawakening” marks a true evolution or a clever illusion, one thing’s for sure: Victoria’s Secret has everyone watching again. And in fashion, that’s half the battle won – wings or no wings.
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