The Victoria’s Secret 2025 Fashion Show: Blending Nostalgia with Modern Empowerment

Victoria's Secret sign. Photo by Theen Moy via Flickr.

Lights dim, the audience goes silent and ethereal music begins as one of the most renowned supermodels appears on the runway, kicking off a fashion lover’s favorite night of the year. The Victoria’s Secret 2025 Fashion Show was a night to remember; from models to influencers, and fifty-pound wings to floral capes, viewers were tuned in across almost all platforms. Thanks to social media, this year’s show, which happened on Oct. 15, has received plenty of commentary and buzz. 

After hearing the constructive criticism from last year's show, the brand realized that its viewers wanted it to bring back the nostalgic elements of older Victoria’s Secret shows. The Victoria’s Secret 2025 Fashion Show attempted to embody the voluminous bombshell blowouts and extravagant wings of their iconic 2000s to 2010s runways.

The brand had previously faced backlash on platforms such as TikTok for its lack of inclusivity and diversity, so its main goal was to revive its former self with a new, refreshing look. In an attempt at doing so, athletes such as Suni Lee and Angel Reese, influencers like Gabriela Moura, and “nepo babies” like Lila Moss walked this year's runway. 

There were mixed reactions to this new, more inclusive lineup; some were glad to see a more diverse variety of models walk, while others weren’t in favor of the progression and wanted the runway to be exclusive to early 2000s supermodels.

The Victoria’s Secret “Fantasy Bras,” formerly a hallmark of the runway, having been worn by models such as Adriana Lima and Gisele Bündchen, typically valued at over $1 million and are covered in precious stones and consist of intricate designs that take months to construct, is an area where the 2025 show fell short.

The first diamond-covered Fantasy Bra was debuted in 1996 on Claudia Schiffer, and these million-dollar bras were showcased on America’s top supermodels until 2018. 

Ever since, there has been a longing for these luxurious bras to be revived on the runway to evoke the majestic feeling they delivered in the early 2000s. However, this was an expectation that this year’s runway show didn’t fulfill.

Fans speculate that this is due to financial difficulties within the company, as fewer and fewer viewers were starting to support the show because of its shift in image. 

In hopes of reviving the shows’ celebrity presence this year, Missy Elliott, Madison Beer, Karol G and other performers took the stage in striking outfits and elegant wings. Not only this, but on the “Pink Carpet,” celebrities such as Sarah Jessica Parker and Patrick Ta were spotted. 

This blend of icons from different genres of the fashion and music industry sparked the interest of different groups of people worldwide, using nostalgia and anticipation to bring people together for the event. 

After seeing last year's slick-back ponytails and questionable-looking wings, this year brought bouncy bombshell blowouts and majestic looks back to the runway. On an Instagram reel made by Victoria’s Secret, they wrote, “We solemnly swear not to slick-back the hair,” hoping to ensure that their loyal audience from the early 2000s shows would eagerly return. 

There was an iconic lineup of supermodels at this year's show, such as Adriana Lima, Candice Swanepoel, Alessandra Ambrosio, Barbara Palvin and Irina Shayk. Hearing that they were expected to make a return this year, viewers couldn’t have been more excited to see their favorite models strut down the runway, with over 3 million tuned in to the 2025 Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show.

The question is, why is there such a strong desire amongst critics for the 2000s Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show nostalgia to be revived? 

Well, during this time period, the fashion show wasn’t just a way to display the brand's work, but it was a cultural celebration that brought people together for a dazzling night of live musical performances and youthful energy. 

The 2005 show was one of the most viewed and admired shows of the time, featuring models that now bring that nostalgia to older viewers, such as Heidi Klum and Naomi Campbell and musical performers like Ricky Martin. 

With the inevitable evolution of the Victoria's Secret annual fashion show, there is no way to satisfy every member of their divided audience with such differing expectations. However, there is one guarantee: a majority longs for an entertaining night of fashion and music that sparks conversation and evokes the nostalgic feeling from the 2000s. 

If this year's show has proven anything, it’s that sometimes, to have a successful future, we must take a look into the past.