Bella Hadid made a grand return to the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show on Wednesday, which was continuing its own triumphant revival as it marked its second year back after a six-year hiatus that nearly spelled doom for the iconic lingerie brand.
The runway show, which aired live on Amazon Prime Video, signaled a return to the classic ‘glitzy and sensual’ style of the show as it tries to ramp up sales, following a turn toward so-called ‘woke’ posturing.
Bella was back after withdrawing from public life for treatments related to health complications from what she attributes to the controversial diagnosis of chronic lyme disease, but she has also struggled with mental health issues in recent months.
The supermodel made a grand entrance in a fiery crimson bra and lace thong while displaying a deep tan.
Bella wore a red lace garter over her ripped abs that held up her sheer red stockings, and she pulled a red cloak behind her that was draped over her forearms.
The catwalk star traded out her usual brunette tresses for feathered golden-blond locks.
Bella Hadid made a grand return to the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show on Wednesday, which was continuing its own triumphant revival as it marked its second year back after a six-year hiatus that nearly spelled doom for the iconic lingerie brand
Bella was back after withdrawing from public life for treatments related to health complications from what she attributes to the controversial diagnosis of chronic lyme disease , but she has also struggled with mental health issues in recent months
The supermodel made a grand entrance in a fiery crimson bra and lace thong while displaying a deep tan
She completed her outfit and elevated her impressive stature with metallic open-toe heels that strapped around her ankles.
The show turned into a sister act when her older sister Gigi Hadid also walked the runway.
Gigi flashed her taut midriff in a bubblegum-pink top and high-waisted lace panties.
The show is also set to feature several former Victoria’s Secret Angels, including Adriana Lima, Alessandra Ambrosio, Doutzen Kroes, Candice Swanepoel, Behati Prinsloo, Lily Aldridge, Taylor Hill, Stella Maxwell, Barbara Palvin, and Grace Elizabeth.
Other returning models include Bella’s sister Gigi Hadid, Joan Smalls, Irina Shayk, Ashley Graham, Anok Yai, Alex Consani, Paloma Elsesser, and Yasmin Wijnaldum.
There will also be newcomers to the runway show like WNBA star Angel Reese, influencer Quenlin Blackwell, nepobaby Iris Law, plus-size model Yumi Nu, model Daiane Sodre, actress Barbie Ferreira, and plus-size model Precious Lee.
Past musical performers at the event included Rihanna, Justin Bieber, Bruno Mars, Taylor Swift, and Cher and this year’s roster includes: Missy Elliott, Karol G, K-Pop group TWICE, and Madison Beer.
Bella wore a red lace garter over her ripped abs that held up her sheer red stockings, and she pulled a red cloak behind her that was draped over her forearms
The catwalk star traded out her usual brunette tresses for feathered golden-blond locks
She completed her outfit and elevated her impressive stature with metallic open-toe heels that strapped around her ankles
The show turned into a sister act when her older sister Gigi Hadid also walked the runway
Gigi flashed her taut midriff in a bubblegum-pink top and high-waisted lace panties
Jasmine Tookes kicked off the show by baring her heavily pregnant tummy in a golden mesh cover-up with a satiny brown bra and thong
Instead of wings, she had a wire-frame clam shell decorated with enormous pearl-like beads
Adriana Lima made a stunning entrance in a sheer sequin-covered bodysuit with glittering underwear underneath that made it look almost as if she was walking out in the buff. She was decorated with copper-colored metallic wings
WNBA star Angel Reese towered over the runway in a floral bra and thong. She wore a matching garter with dangling suspenders, and she covered up with a fuzzy pink floral boa
After Madison Beer finished performing her song Make You Mine, the performer also walked the runway. She emerged in a sheer pink corset top with silvery floral embroidery and pink feathered wings
Behati Prinsloo cooled down the show in a lacy blue–gray robe with a flowing gray scarf and circular wing structure
Jasmine Tookes kicked off the show by baring her heavily pregnant tummy in a golden mesh cover-up with a satiny brown bra and thong.
Instead of wings, she had a wire-frame clam shell decorated with enormous pearl-like beads.
Adriana Lima made a stunning entrance in a sheer sequin-covered bodysuit with glittering underwear underneath that made it look almost as if she was walking out in the buff.
Her minimalist ensemble was decorated with copper-colored metallic wings.
WNBA star Angel Reese towered over the runway in a floral bra and thong.
She wore a matching garter with dangling suspenders, and she covered up with a fuzzy pink floral boa.
After Madison Beer finished performing her song Make You Mine, the performer also walked the runway.
She emerged in a sheer pink corset top with silvery floral embroidery and pink feathered wings.
Behati Prinsloo cooled down the show in a lacy blue–gray robe with a flowing gray scarf and circular wing structure.
For decades, the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show was one of the most coveted runway events in fashion.
It first kicked off in 1995 and immediately attracted immense buzz, with some of the biggest models on the globe walking in the fashion show.
For decades, the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show was one of the most coveted runway events in fashion; (Jasmine Tookes in 2018)
Hillary Super, 53, became CEO of the company in September of last year and has said the company will shift back toward its ‘sexy’ branding
By 2001 it was being broadcasted live on television, and each year, millions tuned in to watch the stunning models strut their stuff and the A-list performers dazzle on stage.
But in 2019, after more than two decades of it reigning supreme, the annual show was canceled amidst immense criticism over the brand’s lack of diversity when it comes to body types before then-chief marketing officer Ed Razek’s eyebrow-raising comments about trans and plus-sized models.
Last year, the Angels returned to the catwalk after a six year hiatus with a more diverse roster including plus-size and transgender models.
The latest runway show comes weeks after Victoria’s Secret’s new CEO announced plans to return to its ‘unapologetically sexy’ branding as it moves away from its woke rebrand.
The lingerie company is embracing its bombshell roots after years of struggling sales and a tepid response to its diverse catwalk last year.
CEO Hillary Super, 53, who took on the role in September 2024, admitted her predecessors had allowed the brand to become ‘watered down’.
‘At the time I took over, Victoria’s Secret was regarded as inappropriate and off-color and we had to correct those mistakes,’ former CEO Martin Waters told the Wall Street Journal.
The company toned down its provocative branding after a a 2020 New York Times article reported that many employees and models faced a slew of misogyny and harassment.
It comes after a tepid response to the diverse runway of 2024 which featured plus sized models such as Ashley Graham
At the time, the brand was under the leadership of Leslie Wexner and Ed Razek.
Super, however, said many decisions were made ‘out of fear’ after the company moved away from their sexualized branding and more toward comfort following a wave of backlash.
The brand’s seductive lingerie was replaced with products with more coverage and plain designs, as well as a heavier focus on athleisure wear and comfortable pajamas.
The company’s move into a more diverse and inclusive brand came after Victoria’s Secret came under fire following accusations of the brand’s problematic environment.
A former public relations employee for the company, Casey Crowe Taylor, told WSJ: ‘What was most alarming to me, as someone who was always raised as an independent woman, was just how ingrained this behavior was.
‘This abuse was just laughed off and accepted as normal. It was almost like brainwashing. And anyone who tried to do anything about it wasn’t just ignored. They were punished,’ she added.
Razek denied the allegations at the time and declared them ‘categorically untrue’ or ‘taken out of context’.
‘I’ve been fortunate to work with countless, world-class models and gifted professionals and take great pride in the mutual respect we have for each other,’ he added.
Victoria’s Secret faced waves of backlash under Ed Razek (right) and Leslie Wexner’s (left) leadership in 2019 after reports of misogyny and harassment
Laetitia Casta models lingerie February 3, 1998 during a Victoria’s Secret fashion show in New York City
Models Frederique van der Wal and Naomi Campbell attend the “Victoria’s Secret Spring 1997 Lingerie Collection Runway Show” on February 4, 1998
A spokesperson for Wexner, who was reported to have close ties to Jeffrey Epstein, declined to provide comment to the outlet at the time.
Epstein was said to have lied to many Victoria’s Secret models and aspiring models and claimed that he worked for the company.
Victoria’s Secret also faced a wave of backlash in 2019 over poor quality and a lack of diversity among its models.
That same year, the CFO of Victoria’s Secret’s parent company Stuart Burgdoerfer announced the annual VS Fashion Show would be canceled.
The VS Fashion Show returned in 2024 with a new focus that included plus-sized models, such as Ashley Graham, as well as transgender models and different ethnicities.
They hired Valentina Sampaio, their first transgender model, to star in their new VS Pink campaign after Razek left.
However, the show was derided as lackluster and lacking the traditional glamor for which the brand was known.
