Fashion: Victoria's Secret Angels

The Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show was canceled back in 2018 due, at least in part, to a lack of inclusivity and body positivity. Well, this year, it’s back. The show was recently held in New York City, on October 25, 2024. Many famous supermodels walked, including worldwide phenomena Gigi and Bella Hadid. Other notable models included Paloma Elsesser, Joan Smalls, and the iconic Kate Moss. For the very first time, Victoria’s Secret has included models over the age of 40, with former First Lady of France Carla Bruni joining the show at age 56. The show also featured globally recognized musical artists at the opening, showcasing the talents of Lisa (of BlackPink), Cher, and Tyla.

Compared to the infamous 2018 show, this year’s reviews are, surprisingly, not that negative, although complaints have been publicized. Many viewers expressed their opinions over the “lack of theme” and “inconsistency.” Some viewers also expressed how they felt that designating models as “Angels” and giving them wings in the show was unfair marketing, as it made the models seem ‘godlier’ than the other models and people around them. They felt like it could be setting these models up for a competition for 40- pound wings just to be recognized by the public. Some critics thought that the whole concept of the show was very fetishizing and problematic. Many viewers also believed that the entire show itself promoted unhealthy and unrealistic standards for young women. Though the show included a small number of plus-sized models, Victoria’s Secret has been long criticized for their lack of inclusivity and sexualization of young women.

Despite these problematic elements, the 2024 show had over 22 million views. The question is, has this year’s Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show rectified the controversial aspects that led to its cancellation in the first place, or has it just become even more problematic than it was when it started?