After a six-year hiatus, Victoria’s Secret 2024 has made its long-awaited return with a refreshing new lineup of models and a renewed commitment to inclusivity. Held at the Duggal Greenhouse in New York’s Brooklyn Navy Yard, the event promised to reintroduce the brand with a modernized focus on diversity while bringing back familiar runway veterans alongside fresh faces and inspiring inclusivity efforts.
Veteran Models and New Faces in the 2024 Runway Show
The Victoria’s Secret 2024 fashion show signaled a major brand image shift. Models like Alessandra Ambrosio, Doutzen Kroes, and Candice Swanepoel returned to the runway, while new talents also took center stage. The show featured models across a broader range of ages, body types, and gender identities, reflecting a more inclusive approach. For the first time in the event’s history, models over the age of 40 walked the runway, including former First Lady of France Carla Bruni.
At 56 years old, Bruni became the oldest model ever to grace a Victoria’s Secret show. This decision was a clear departure from the brand’s earlier emphasis on youth and a sign of its efforts to better represent women of all ages. Alongside Bruni were industry veterans like Kate Moss, 50, and Adriana Lima, 43, further showcasing that beauty knows no age limit.
Plus-Size and Transgender Models Take the Stage
Inclusivity extended beyond age. Plus-size models appeared on the Victoria’s Secret runway for the first time. Notable figures like Ashley Graham, Paloma Elsesser, and Jill Kortleve helped diversify the lineup with their presence. These models, representing a broader range of body types, reflected a growing recognition that beauty comes in all sizes. While there was a noticeable difference in how these models were styled compared to their counterparts, their inclusion marked a significant step forward for the brand.
Additionally, Victoria’s Secret 2024 embraced gender diversity with the debut of two transgender models, Alex Consani and Valentina Sampaio. This move signaled a major shift from the brand’s previous stance on model selection, demonstrating an evolving understanding of beauty standards and gender representation.
Celebrities and Musical Performances Add to the Event’s Excitement
The Victoria’s Secret 2024 runway show was a star-studded event. Celebrity attendees like Cardi B, Queen Latifah, and Ice Spice brought additional excitement to the night. At the same time, music performances from Cher, Tyla, and Blackpink’s Lisa set the stage for a vibrant show. The blend of music and fashion, combined with a dazzling display of the iconic Victoria’s Secret wings, created a lively atmosphere, reinforcing the event’s reputation as one of fashion’s most anticipated spectacles.
Despite the advancements in diversity, the brand still faced some criticism regarding its overall inclusivity efforts. Only a fraction of the 52 models who participated in the show represented body diversity or gender inclusivity. Additionally, there were no models with adaptive fashion needs, a stated goal of the brand’s recent DEI efforts.
Addressing Past Controversies and Rebuilding the Brand
Victoria’s Secret has been under scrutiny in recent years, facing backlash over past controversies related to narrow beauty ideals. The company made headlines for its ties to convicted sex trafficker Jeffrey Epstein and controversial remarks about plus-size and transgender models made by its former chief marketing officer, Edward Razek. Since then, the brand has undergone major changes, including Razek’s departure and a separation from its parent company, L Brands.
The Victoria’s Secret 2024 show, now under the leadership of CEO Hillary Super, represents a new era for the brand. The goal is to present a more inclusive vision of beauty while reclaiming the glamour of its iconic runway shows. The company’s Instagram announcement hinted at these changes, stating, “The Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show is back and will reflect who we are today, plus everything you know and love.”
Social Media Buzz and Impact on Sales
In terms of buzz, the return of the Victoria’s Secret 2024 fashion show garnered massive attention on social media. Influencer marketing platform Traackr reported a 57,873% increase in creator content engagements and a 23,717% surge in content video views during the event’s week. This spike in engagement signals the brand’s ability to reignite excitement and interest despite facing a difficult sales landscape.