The Victoria’s Secret Show is an annual promotional event for the brands of Victoria’s Secret and PINK, broadening their scope each year to fit a modern audience.
The Victoria’s Secret (VS) Show was first held in 1995, established the core beauty standards by displaying the iconic Victoria’s Secret Angels. Later in the 2000s, it grew in popularity and was televised, turning it into a major cultural event. However, over the years, its popularity declined, especially due to its lack of diversity and promotion of an ideal body image, leading to a cancellation in 2019.
The Victoria’s Secret Show returned in 2024, and since then, the show has worked to promote inclusivity by featuring a more diverse set of models, which include women of different body types, ages, and ethnicities. This past year, the show has even begun to feature athletes during the show, depicting their efforts to expand beyond traditional beauty standards.
Models such as Suni Lee, an olympic gymnast, and Angel Reese, an WNBA basketball player walked the runway. Through this, they demonstrated that women can both excel in their respective fields while exemplifying femininity, even if that field is athleticism. In addition, nine months pregnant Jasmine Tookes modeled, wearing a look that illuminated the blessing of motherhood. This is a bold statement in the fashion world, for she challenged past notions of the “perfect body”.
Similarly challenging these notions, Precious Lee made her debut as a plus size model, which is significant because it brought to light different body types and again, challenged previous standards. Another prominent model in the diversity sector is Awar Odhiang, who is Canadian of South Sudanese heritage. She further affirmed VS’s shift to a better variety of both racial and cultural representation.
Ari Beaty (’28) said, “It’s very refreshing to see models whose beauty doesn’t reflect a specific standard, but a very diverse range, which can be seen in the girls that I meet day-to-day.”
The models aren’t the only ones spreading inclusivity, but their partners too. One example of such is Dylan Sprouse, who distributed endometriosis pins to individuals at the show. Sprouse took this action because his wife, VS model Barbara Palvin, had recently undergone surgery. Therefore, Sprouse wanted to both support his wife and spread awareness, proving that a small action can go a long way.
This drive to promote inclusivity is reflected not only in the models, but also in the performers. Victoria’s Secret has also diversified this, including the first-ever K-Pop and Latino performances in their most recent show. The K-Pop girl group TWICE promoted Asian representation, and, similarly, Colombian singer Karol G did the same with her Latin-American culture through her song choices.
Additionally, the Latin singer aided in redefining the VS Angel, celebrating diverse representations of beauty and power. Missy Elliott, a prominent hip-hop artist, also showcased her culture, by celebrating Black artistry through her unique beats and performance style. Madison Beer performed and appeared on the runway as well, emphasizing women’s versatility.
Inclusivity in fashion shows is important because it allows people from all backgrounds to feel seen, valued, and represented. When diverse models walk the runway, they challenge long-standing beauty ideals that have often excluded various groups. This shift not only empowers audiences by promoting self-acceptance, but it also encourages the fashion industry to reflect the real world rather than an unrealistic standard. Moreover, inclusivity fosters cultural appreciation and awareness, helping to build a more positive and respectful global community. By showcasing all forms of beauty, fashion shows can inspire confidence and break stereotypes, especially for newer generations.
