A Catwalk of Change

Savannah Diaz • January 1 , 2026

Victoria’s Secret’s (VS) latest fashion show on Oct. 15 was a complete disappointment to many fans, but others praised the show’s inclusivity. The lingerie and beauty product company is well-known for holding these popular fashion shows, the first being held in 1995 (Vogue). With flowing hair, bedazzled outfits and humongous wings, VS created a brand identity rooted in fantasy that quickly became beloved by both the fashion world and women in general. After a four year hiatus the show officially returned in 2023, with “Victoria’s Secret World Tour” on Amazon Prime. This new show included models of all body types and was intended to begin a new era for the lingerie retailer. However, fans were upset that the aesthetics of the new show did not align with the glamorous and fantastical image that VS had cultivated. While the recent show has made great strides towards inclusivity, as audiences had requested, the brand still continues to face backlash.

In the early 2000s, the show had a clear aesthetic that consisted of bombshell models with glamorous blowouts and huge, sparkly wings; aspects that this year’s edition attempted to continue. Also featured were top models, including stars of past shows like Gigi and Bella Hadid, Adriana Lima and Alessandra Ambrosio. The models’ walks were accompanied by live musical acts only by top artists and groups such as TWICE, Karol G, Madison Beer and Missy Elliot, all striving to leave a memorable performance as past shows with stars like Justin Timberlake, Justin Bieber and Taylor Swift have done. While succeeding in continuing many of the shows long held traditions and features, VS, for a while now, has begun attempting to appeal to more audiences with overall inclusivity. In past shows prior to the hiatus, VS underwent controversial comments criticizing their lack of body diversity and their tendency to hold their models to a flawless and slim standard. In their efforts to change and reform, they made great steps, such as opening the show with Jasmine Tookes, a pregnant model. VS also decided to bring in athletes and influencers like Suni Lee, Angel Reese, Quen Blackwell and Gabi Moura, instead of having the runway consist of professional models. Rather than being made up of intricate beading, lace, wire and feathers, the material of the wings this year, were made with 3D-printing technology and PETA-approved. Originally, VS did not allow transgender models to walk the runway due to a former executive’s beliefs and strict regulations, but this year, the VS fashion show featured transgender model Alex Consani, making her one of two transgender women to ever walk the VS runway (Teen Vogue). These immense differences set this show apart greatly from those that came before it.

Despite VS’s progress and positive change in its image, fans have found many things to complain about after watching the fashion show. New and returning fans have expressed distaste about the inclusion of inexperienced models and the wide range of body types the fashion show had to offer this year, including the plus-size models and athletic additions as well. Amid these negative reviews, positive ones still stand, such as ones that sophomore Samaire Bledsoe shares.

“The ‘glamour’ [of the show] has improved from 2023,” Bledsoe said. “For example, during that show, one girl had to walk out onto the runway without wings. She was [infuriated]. This year, things like that [have been solved].”

The issue concerning the inclusion of athletes and influencers walking the VS runway this year has given a lot of backlash to the company. Some may argue that having inexperienced models on the runway is a step toward progress, giving opportunities to these women to take on the career. However, the large majority of the fanbase unanimously agree that this inclusion of athletes and influencers is generally unprofessional. Sophomore Samantha Lam criticizes VS for this unprofessionalism.

“I think it’s genuinely [confusing] that VS allowed influencers and athletes in [the show] this year. I agree with the rest of the majority of the fanbase that this is very unprofessional, these girls have [no experience] in the first place,” Lam says. “I can see why some fans find it to be a [progression in the model business]. It is nice and all, but purely unnecessary.”

Fans have the right to be irritated when seeing the inclusion of non-professional models on the VS runway. Just because influencers like Quen Blackwell are popular and recognized for their beauty, doesn’t automatically give them the right to walk the runway as it takes away from the countless others strutting the stage who have worked hard for their spot. Athletes, on the other hand, are a completely different matter. While they may not be professional models, they have already achieved the flawless image of one through the intense effort and dedication they put into their sport and bettering their body. Senior Gianna Barbieri confirms that watching Olympic gymnast Suni Lee walk in the show was a win for girls involved in sports who often aren’t as included in the beauty industry.

“I play a sport here and there but I can see how [important it is] for athletic women to be seen or represented,” Barbieri says. “I think that they could’ve included [more] athletic women in the show instead of having only two, whereas there was a bigger amount of influencers in the show.”

Within the audience where many seem to dislike the influencers and athletes that walked the runway, some viewers are also adamantly against the inclusivity because they cling to what was presented to them in past shows where they had no plus-size models, transgender models or athletes. Despite this change not being fully welcomed by the viewers, it is very significant as VS has the power to set and send messages to its audiences through the types of individuals they choose to include. Lack of representation in influential events such as this one are dangerous as younger watchers are especially susceptible to notions that certain looks or figures are not normal and, therefore, less desirable. The steps that VS has been taking recently in regards to inclusion have been in the right direction.

The musical performances at this year’s VS show were eye-catching and glamorous. Most of them received overall positive feedback from the VS’s audience, however TWICE, a Korean-Pop girl group, seemed to disappoint most. Fans found their performance, tainted by off-key vocals, underwhelming, and for a group that is known for their high energy and consistency, it was. However, it did not take away from the show too much, and if anything added to the energy and hype surrounding other acts like Karol G and Missy Elliot. And despite all critiques, these performances, like almost always, made the VS show much more enjoyable.

Although their inclusion of body types in the show was done well, and the fashion met the expectations of the brand’s classic shows, many of their choices like having influencers walk the catwalk was unnecessary. As a pillar in style and beauty for women, young and old, VS sets the standards and ideas reflected throughout the industry. To be that positive figure that they seem to want to be, they should continue the way they are going, but also listen to suggestions and complaints held by fans so VS can continue to be the glamorous spectacle of fashion that it is.