After nearly six years away, the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show is making its return – and key details are slowly being released in the run-up.
The annual catwalk spectacle was previously cancelled in 2019 after a decline in sales and poor television ratings, with figures falling from five million in 2018 to just over three million in 2019. The brand was also mired in controversy, after the former CEO Les Wexner’s close links with disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein came to light.
There had also long been concerns over the show’s lack of diversity and inclusivity, particularly when compared to Rihanna’s Savage X Fenty shows, the first one of which debuted in 2018 and featured models of all sizes, as well as queer, trans and non-binary casting (interestingly, VS has since recruited Hillary Super, the former CEO of Savage X Fenty, who joins in September). However, Victoria’s Secret announced plans to relaunch the show last year, claiming that many fans of the lingerie brand had taken to social media to beg for the glamorous runway event to return.
The brand has now confirmed one particularly significant change compared to previous iterations of the show – and it’s to do with the famed Victoria’s Secret angel wings. The lingerie brand previously used up to 620,000 feathers – from chickens, Chinese pheasants, and ostriches – to create the costumes for a single fashion show.
However, after forming a dialogue with the animal-rights charity Peta US, Victoria’s Secret has now committed to using handcrafted faux feathers for the models’ angel wings at its upcoming fashion show.
“Peta is tickled pink that the return of Victoria’s Secret’s iconic fashion show will feature dazzling designs that no bird suffered or died for,” Peta’s Vice President of Corporate Projects Yvonne Taylor said in a statement. “The exploitation of birds has no place in fashion, and Victoria’s Secret is setting a great example for other companies to follow.”
With the countdown to the show firmly on, the brand has also recently confirmed a line-up of all-female performers who will be taking to the stage when the runway models don their wings.
Believe singer Cher will be headlining the event. “It’s a woman’s world, so it’s understood that you can’t have a fashion show without the mother of fashion herself – Cher! We’re beyond excited to announce she will officially be performing,” the company wrote on Instagram.
South African singer Tyla, and K-pop rapper Lisa from the band Blackpink, will also be performing.
K-pop star Lisa will also be performing at the event
We’ve previously been given fleeting glimpses at what we can expect for the 2024 – with a teaser released on Instagram. The trailer sees Gigi Hadid wearing a sheer, shimmery slip dress, walking through a hotel lobby. As she impatiently rings the bell for service, she’s left stunned when Tyra Banks turns around, serving her with a gold envelope.
The envelope then opens to read: “Your attendance is requested: Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show 2024.”
The date underneath reads: “October 15, 2024: New York City.”
Two creative directors behind the upcoming extravaganza previously revealed what we can expect, and what changes have been made, upon its return later this year.
Speaking via the Victoria’s Secret Instagram account, Sarah Sylvester, head of marketing, and Janie Schaffer, chief design and creative officer, shared what fans can look forward to. Schaffer revealed that Victoria’s Secret’s iconic wings will be making a return, with the team unearthing classic sets as well as creating new showstoppers for audiences to enjoy.
While Gigi and Tyra have been confirmed, Schaffer also teased that some other of the brand’s best-loved Angels will be making a comeback for the new show. Previous Angels include big-name models such as Adriana Lima, Gisele Bündchen and Candice Swanepoel, while models like Kendall Jenner, Bella Hadid, and Cara Delevingne have walked in the show in the past.
Sylvester added that the brand will be “introducing some new faces that fans are going to fall in love with”.
Perhaps the biggest change announced to the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show was that for the first time, all items worn by the models will be immediately shoppable.
Schaffer concluded the snippet by saying: “Just know it’s going to be everything you always loved about the show, but even better.”
The show’s return was previously confirmed by Victoria’s Secret CFO Timothy Johnson, who said in a statement: “We’re going to continue to lean into the marketing spend to invest in the business and also to support the new version of our fashion show, which is to come later this year.”
Johnson also hinted at the show’s focus – that it might be a departure from the superficial glitter and glam of its former guise – saying that it will “reinforce our commitment to championing women’s voices and their unique perspectives”.
The retail giant attempted to rebrand and reinvent itself in 2021, launching the Victoria’s Secret Collective and replacing the Angels with ambassadors who were brought on board to inspire change and positivity, and who were not chosen for their looks alone – described as “an ever-growing group of accomplished women who share a common passion to drive positive change”. The brand also launched a number of new charitable partnerships with the aim of supporting the lives of women all over the world.
However, at the time, reaction to the show’s return was mixed. Users took to X (formerly known as Twitter) to share their feelings about the return of the VS Fashion Show: “I’ll reserve my outrage until we see if they actually have become inclusive or all this just merely performative,” one wrote.
Another user wrote: “Glad it’s coming back but doubt it will be as glamorous.”
Singer Lizzo – who has her own inclusive shapewear line, Yitty – also took to social media to address the news.
“This is a win for inclusivity for inclusivity’s sake,” she wrote on on the social media platform. “But if brands start doing this only because they’ve received backlash, then what happens when the ‘trends’ change again? Do the CEOs of these companies value true inclusivity? Or do they just value money?”
