Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show has returned from the wilderness after a five-year hiatus promising glamour, musical entertainment and wings.
Once an annual institution of the fashion circuit attracting big names from the worlds of modelling and music, it has seen the likes of Taylor Swift, Harry Styles and the Spice Girls play as Heidi Klum, Naomi Campbell and Adriana Lima sashay away.
And it had its own set of models known as Angels, complete with their own feathered wings.
But trips to the iconic catwalk ended abruptly in 2019, when it was cancelled amid a drop in viewers and allegations of objectifying women and a lack of diversity.
Now the show is back but not quite as we know it.
A statement from the firm on its website read: “We’ve read the comments and heard you.
“The Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show is back and will reflect who we are today, plus everything you know and love — the glamour, runway, wings, musical entertainment, and more!
“Stay tuned…it only gets more iconic from here.”
The Angels have been replaced by a set of ambassadors called the VS Collective and the wings are made from faux feathers.
However, there will still be some familiar names gracing the runway as the lingerie brand’s favourite models return and Cher leads the cast of musical talent.
When is the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show?
This year’s show will take place at the brand’s flagship store in New York City on Tuesday 15 October at 7pm (local time), which is midnight here in the UK.
News and views from the pink carpet will be from 6.30pm (local time), hosted by Tefi Pessoa and Olivia Culpo.
How to stream the fashion show
For those who can’t make it to the pink carpet or be by the runway, the show will be streamed live on Victoria’s Secret’s Instagram, YouTube and TikTok accounts.
It will also be broadcast on Amazon Prime Video and Amazon Live.
Who is taking part?
Some of the lingerie brand’s most famous faces and bodies have signed up to take part in this year’s fashion show.
Adriana Lima
Brazilian supermodel Adriana Lima will be making a triumphant return after six years.
She was a Victoria’s Secret Angel from 1999 to 2018 and had worn the most most winged costumes in the history of the show (24), when she retired as their longest-serving model.
Now aged 43, she is coming back to the runway.
A video on the firm’s Instagram page billed it as Lima’s homecoming.
Dressed in a suit, she climbed into a cab, and when asked her destination, stated, “Home”. Pressed for details by the cabbie, she added: “Can you drop me off at the Victoria’s Secret show”.
Candice Swanepoel
South African model Candice Swanepoel became a Victoria’s Secret Angel in 2010, and in 2013 she was chosen to wear the $10m “Fantasy Bra” at that year’s fashion show.
The 35-year-old is second only to Lima in the number of times she donned a winged costume for the fashion shows (20).
In a video promoting the return of the fashion show, she said her imagination was running wild with “what it could be”, adding: “It’s been a long time, so I’m excited.”
Taylor Hill
US model Taylor Hill was an Angel in the annual fashion show from 2014 to 2018.
She has confirmed she will be back for the 2024 show, which she described as “extremely exciting”.
In an interview ahead of the show for the firm, she said: “Being back on the runway and the wings!
“It’s so nostalgic and it was so much fun walking in the show.
“I’m excited for that rush of adrenaline that comes with being on that runway.”
The 28-year-old, who has married and started her own online pet store in the intervening years, said: “My hope is that girls are able to see themselves being represented and feel like they are a part of the VS family.”
Tyra Banks
US supermodel Tyra Banks was a Victoria’s Secret Angel from 1997 to 2005.
The 50-year-old has also pursued an acting career in films such as Coyote Ugly and television series such as Gossip Girl.
She created the long-running reality television series America’s Next Top Model, which she executive produced and presented.
And she hosted her own talk show for five years.
In a video announcing her catwalk comeback alongside Gigi Hadid, the pair are seen with golden envelopes containing invitations before Banks said, “See you there”.
Gigi Hadid
American model Gigi Hadid made her first appearance on the Victoria’s Secret catwalk in 2015 and appeared with wings the following year.
She was named International Model of the Year by the British Fashion Council the same year.
Since the last fashion show, she has become a mother, launched her onw clothing line and co-hosted the reality fashion competition Next In Fashion.
The 29-year-old appeared alongside Tyra Banks in a video to promote their return to the lingerie brand’s catwalk.
Others who are also confirmed to be taking part include:
- Paloma Elsesser
- Imaan Hammam
- Grace Elizabeth
- Mayowa Nicholas
- Devyn Garcia,
- Barbara Palvin,
- Behati Prinsloo,
- Ashley Graham
- Jasmine Tookes