We Aim To Slay

The Victoria Secret Fashion Show returned this past Wednesday, after six years! (Technically, only 5 years, as there was a rendition of the show that premiered on Amazon Prime last year – but much like the live action Avatar the Last Airbender movie, we don’t talk about that one).

Although there are many opinions on Victoria’s Secret and its relevance in today’s age, I have to say, the VS Fashion Show was an event I always looked forward to watching! Similar to my annual viewing of the Miss Universe Pageant, the VS Fashion Show reminded me of my passion to work in the fashion industry, my love for all things extravagant and camp, and hundreds of ideas for pageant looks in the future!

With incredibly high expectations, let’s get into the 2024 Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show and my thoughts on this year’s event!

Background Info

According to a quick Google Search, the Victoria’s Secret Fashion show originally ran from 1995 to 2018, serving as a promotional marketing event for the brand’s products. The show was canceled in 2019 when then-organizer, Edward Razek, resigned due to public pressure. The cancellation falls in line with the Me Too and body positivity movements, when the brand came under scrutiny for lacking diversity in nearly all categories. 

Prior to the show’s premier this past Wednesday, an article from Fashionista explained the show would feature the return of many VS Angels and other veterans including “Gigi Hadid, Imaan Hammam, Candice Swanepoel, Paloma Elsesser, Devyn Garcia, and Taylor Hill,” and would include performances from Cher, Tyla, and Lisa.

Fashionista also reported that for the first time, the show would be available to stream via Amazon Live, Amazon Prime Video, and the Victoria’s Secret Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube channels. It will be available to watch on YouTube as soon as the live stream wraps!

The show itself was held in New York City in the brand’s flagship store and downtown headquarters location.

HEADER – My Thoughts on This Year’s Show 

My overall thoughts are this – if you’re going to have a “comeback tour,” I’d expect you to go all out. In many ways, the performers were the big ticket items and brought all of the energy.

And while I understand that the clothing being marketed are intimates and lingerie, this used to be the show to watch! They made looks out of these teeny little lacy items! There were some incredible wings, but I felt like there were a few too many wings. Again, the wings used to mean something! I didn’t feel as though every single person on the runway needed a pair of wings.

SUBHEADER – The Pink Carpet Pre-Show

I honestly loved the Pink Carpet coverage, hosted by Miss Universe 2012 Olivia Culpo and internet personality and InStyle Hostess, Tefi Pessoa! Their interviews were light hearted, fun, and a great way to cultivate the excitement prior to seeing the show!

During the pre-show coverage, the hosts explained that this was the first time that the VSFS would feature all female performers, and that items on the runway would be instantly shoppable via Amazon.

Executive Vice President of Marketing for VS and PINK, Sarah Sylvester, explained that fans on social media kept asking for the return of the VS Fashion Show – “They asked and we delivered.”

The Performances

Positives – the performances were really, really good! Obviously, Cher stole the show and was truly beyond words. For being 78 years young, she was still dancing and having as much fun as she did back on The Sonny & Cher Comedy Hour. I’m obsessed with these black, sparkly, cargo pants and I’m going to need to know where to get a pair for myself!

I really enjoyed Tyla’s performance, but I wish it had been longer or at the very least, that her performance of Water had lasted longer. And when she strutted that runway! She had way more energy than the models!

On the flip side, even though I enjoyed Lisa’s two performances, I felt like her first set lasted a bit longer than was necessary.

The Models

Model wise, it was so exciting to see so many familiar faces once again grace the runway! We got to see Adrianna (my personal favorite), Candice, Alessandra, Tyra, Kate Moss, Carla Bruni, Eva Herzigova, Taylor Hill, the Hadid sisters, and so many more!

But, it was odd that in so many instances, there would be four models that came out together and then three would hang out while the first started walking.

It was also incredibly refreshing to see some color, size, and age diversity on that runway. But let’s emphasize the key word here – some diversity. I appreciated seeing the likes of Paloma and Ashley and Carla and Eva, but I think the brand has a long way to go before they can rival the inclusivity of shows such as Fenty. 

The Fashion

I have a huge issue with how they chose to style the naturally curly hair. Which is to say, they didn’t style it, they simply brushed out everyone’s curls and sent them down the runway. Did the hairstylist budget get spent on bringing back the OG Angels? Or were the stylists present not properly trained?

According to the title credits, the Lead Hair Stylists were Charlene Spiller and Cheria Brown, and the additional hairstylists were Lawanda Piere-Weston, Tiffanie Garrett, Antoinette Wade, Robert Lugo, Geo Brian Hennings, Emily Rosko, Tomica Sarver, and Anozine Walker. Odd to me how so many people of color could allow some of the most beautiful women in the world walk down a runway like this.

Overall, the hair was a travesty, both for the curly girlies and for the poor women who had the most basic and unflattering barrel curls with the flattest of roots.

On the flip side, there were several looks that I actually did like including – 

Gigi Hadid’s opening look, which kicked off the show and the first segment – consisting of pastel blue and pink, champagne hues, lots of fluffy ruffles, the epitome of feminine soft energy. This pale pink or lavender silk teddy is super adorable, as are the gladiator style wrap up sandals! But the real stand out in this look were the massive pinkish-purple wings that move!

My absolute favorite look was worn by none other than Adrianna Lima. This super cool set of a black and white plaid shrug and legging was worn with a strappy two piece set over it, and she wore a pair dragonfly-inspired wings! This entire look is something I hope to add to my wardrobe!

Next up are these wings, worn by Candice Swanepoel in her first look! Are they typical of the Victoria’s Secret wings of old? No – and I think they’re stunning! I can’t tell whether the material is some sort of feather or marabou or fringed fabric, but the effect is quite ethereal!

My next favorite set of wings are these deconstructed ribbon wings! I think it’s the nostalgia that makes me love these, as they remind me of the VS Fashion Show of my youth!

HEADER – What Do You Think?

Overall, I wonder if, and hope that, the Victoria Secret Fashion Show can return to the glitz and glamour of its hay-day while still moving forward on this path of inclusivity and diversity on the runway.

Have you shopped with VS before? Have you recently? Would you bring your business back, or do you think there are brands that better suit your needs?

Have a great rest of your week, and remember to SLAY!