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victoria's secret has successfully merged past and present
The moment Bella Hadid unexpectedly stepped out in beautifully crafted, floral-beaded wings to open the 2026 Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show, it was clear: the Victoria’s Secret we all know and love was back.
Since the Angels returned to the runway in 2024, following a six-year hiatus, the brand has most definitely been on the up, with each show building on the last, slowly reasserting itself as a major moment on the fashion calendar. This year, they finally found that perfect balance of the past and the future, with the show feeling reminiscent of their glory days whilst embracing contemporary trends.
It’s been impossible to escape over the last few weeks, with their hit YouTube series ‘Angels Among Us’ (the search for the next VS Angel) reaching every corner of the internet. Somewhat reminiscent of America’s Next Top Model, albeit a less cutthroat version, the contest oozed the early 2000s, and anticipation was difficult to ignore. From over 100,000 applicants, it was Solange Omon who earned her wings (alongside an exclusive contract with IMG Models) and the opportunity to walk alongside industry greats, including the likes of Rosie Huntington-Whiteley (walking for the first time since 2006) and Alessandra Ambrosio.
Y2K was equally exploding over the runway (which, unfortunately, was not glittery as suggested), with the PINK segment acting as a love letter to the brand’s heyday. The styling was atrociously tacky, with low-rise velour tracksuits, exposed G-strings and a lot of dog motifs, but it was done in the best possible way. The runway was dominated by influencers who, granted, perhaps didn’t have the walks of seasoned professionals, but placing modern-day it-girls in looks that felt so inspired by the pop culture of the early 2000s only furthered the notion that Victoria’s Secret wants to morph the past into the future.
For me, the looks are a secondary focus of the show, with the spotlight really being placed on the Angels. Showing all four seasons at once, the opening segment celebrated spring with a series of pinks, greens and floral motifs. Anok Yai followed the younger Hadid in what was essentially a large flower (which felt like VS trying to play high fashion for a moment), before we were graced with Candice Swanepoel, Alex Consani and Elsa Hosk, who looked as though she’d walked out of a kinky period drama in a tight corset with puffed sleeves.
We then moved into the 1990s, with sexy, barely-there slip dresses and all eyes on starlet Barbara Palvin, just six weeks postpartum. Each segment had a distinctive tone and style, though sky-high stilettos by Amina Muaddi, bouncy blowouts by Guido Palau and loud makeup by Pat McGrath were a constant throughout.
The showstopper, however, was undoubtedly none other than Kylie Jenner. I believe there was a collective jaw-drop across the globe when the youngest of the Kardashian clan lit up the runway, making her VS debut wearing the Fantasy Bra. An icon of the show, it made its return for the first time since 2018, and, to be quite frank, it was slightly underwhelming. Crafted in collaboration with Jacob & Co., it is worth an estimated $50 million, and with such an eye-watering price tag, I’d have hoped for something a little more avant-garde. The second complaint was the woman wearing it. It was an iconic moment (and I don’t use that word lightly); however, there is a feeling that the honour should be earned, so with so many veterans in the line-up, it felt a little dismissive to hand it over to a rookie.
On the topic of vices, there is one more aspect of the show to discuss: the performances. They’re supposed to supplement the show, not be the show. Tate McRae and Megan Thee Stallion were phenomenal and added depth to their segments. However, Katseye and Megan Moroney (and this is nothing personal) just didn’t seem like the most appropriate choices for the event. If anyone from Victoria’s Secret is reading this, please (and I beg) consider Sabrina Carpenter or Zara Larsson for 2027.
The finale made up for any gripes, however. The models were iced out (in Kylie’s case, quite literally), with a wintry theme, as the icons of the brand took to the stage in opulent wings, sheer dresses and glamorous faux furs. It was the most notable Angel of all, Adriana Lima, who was given the honour of closing the show, aptly to ‘Angel of My Dreams’.
Adam Selman, I applaud you. The casting and looks were absolutely on point. It’s not quite the Victoria’s Secret we all know and love from the early days, but with society evolving (for the best), it never will be. This was the perfect compromise. That classic charm and joy we all admire has merged perfectly with diversity and the expectations of the modern world, proving that the controversial brand can exist in today’s climate.
There will always be a question mark over whether such a showing of perfection and wealth is relevant in the modern day. I would argue it absolutely is. Generally, the fashion industry is out of touch, and yes, a $50 million bra seems a little egregious given what’s going on in the world right now; nobody is denying that fact. This year, the brand demonstrated that it can retain its identity without compromising on contemporary societal expectations. Really, this is just the beginning of a new era for Victoria’s Secret.
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