On Tuesday, the iconic Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show made it grand return after six years airing live on Prime Video.
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Taking a hiatus back in 2018 amid the backlash spawned by the #MeToo movement, transgender rights, and body positivity and diversity movements at the time as noted by NPR, the iconic lingerie and lifestyle brand decided to bow out of its annual show and refocus on how to reposition the brand for the current times and current audience.
Fast forward to Oct. 2024 and it looks like the pomp and circumstance, the glitz, glam, the angel wings were back and in full effect. Yet and still, the show wasn’t without its flaws.
And because we love to get into it on this side of the internet, keep reading for all the highs, lows and everything in between that you might’ve missed!
High: Tyra Banks Making Her Return After Almost 20 Years
If you’re looking for the perfect person to shut down a runway show—then Tyra Banks is the woman for the job. Making her return to the brand after nearly 20 years, she closed out the show with a walk and a smize that only Tyra could deliver.
Tyra Getting Ready Pre-Show
In several posts to her official Instagram ahead of the show, Tyran reflected on being back at her old stomping grounds and encouraged the next generation of dreamers, writing in one caption:
You are…Never too young to SMiZE. Never too old to DREAM. And I hope you’ll be doing both with me tomorrow when I rock that @victoriassecret runway again after almost 20 years!
As I walk, think about YOUR dreams, what YOU want to accomplish. That thing you’ve been doubting about yourself. That thing you’re not sure you are confident enough to accomplish. Don’t ever stop DREAMING. But now, it’s time to get to DOING! YOU GOT THIS!
Low: Less Inclusivity, Plus-Sized Models
While the show did see some plus-sized representation thanks to Ashley Graham, other Black plus-sized models like Precious Lee, Tash Ncube, Philomena Kwao, and Candice Sabiduria Walton could’ve definitely gotten the call as well.
High: Return of the OGs- Imaan Hamaam
It’s been 10 years since the world first saw Imaan Hamaam grace the VS stage in London but time only made her more refined because her strut on Tuesday’s show was everything and then some!
More About Imaan Hamaam
When she’s not working the runway, she’s advocating for up-and-coming models of color and using her platform to make open doors for others who aspire to be just like her.
“I want to be a role model for young girls who are struggling with racism or struggling with their looks or with their skin colour,” she said. “There aren’t many Arabic models, and being an African-Arabic model, I’m trying to open doors for more Arabic girls,” she told the Business of Fashion.
Low: Production Not as Glam
Though the show wasn’t without iconic moments, some viewers still felt the overall production was lacking for it to be the brand’s grand return after six years—and they have a point. There was no real theme for this year’s show, nor was it all around as cohesive as it had been in years past.
“Just put me in charge next year because they weren’t studying the old shows. Where’s the GLAM SASS FIERCENESS THE HAIR THE FUN! and why did i see leggings on the runway,” one user on X/Twitter fired off.
Added another: “No blowing fans, no bombshell curls, no glittery pink lipgloss and shimmery makeup, no strutting, barely any energy to feed off from the models, NO FANTASY BRA, barely any cute wings, not enough cute sets, stage construction looked last minute, short, october?”
High: Return of the OGs- Jasmine Tookes
Jasmine Tookes may be in her early 30s, but she has a history with Victoria’s Secret, as she made her debut with the brand back in 2012. And though it’s been a minute since we’ve seen the two collaborate, her walk on Tuesday night’s show just proved she hasn’t missed a beat.
More About Jasmine Tookes
When Jasmine isn’t taking over runways or eating up an editorial spread, she spends her time with her husband and her nearly two-year-old daughter, Mia, of whom she gave birth to back in Feb. 2023.
High: Anok Yai and More Amazing Black Models Took Over
Anok Yai, who stunned everyone at this year’s Met Gala and has taken over the modeling world, looked like an absoulte vision in pink during the show. But the best part about it was that she wasn’t the only one serving! Other Black models like Blesnya Minher, Maty Fall Diba, Mayowa Nicholas, Joan Smalls (the icon), Awar Odhiang, Layla Etengan, Alaato Jazyper and Jessie Aina were also in tow and bringing serious star power.
High: Black Makeup Artists Backstage
Over the years, the modeling industry has gotten raked over the coals for the lack of diversity both on the runway and off it—especially as it relates to the makeup artists who get the gorgeous faces looking runway ready. Thankfully, for this year’s show, as shown in the above photos, Black makeup artists finally got their just dues and Black models and models of color could slay down the runway in full confidence knowing their faces were beat to perfection.
High: Tyla’s First-Ever Performance
You would think popular South African amapiano singer Tyla was a model the way she absolutely OWNED that stage. From her soft and short wings to her effortlessly badass walk, we loved to see every moment of it!
Low: VS Show Not Hitting the Same. SavagexFenty the Reason?
In a TikTik video posted by Lauren Ashley Beck, she notes that the VS show just “wasn’t hitting” the same way it did years ago and that maybe Rihanna’s popular Savage X Fenty Show has made people more excited instead over the years. There’s no denying Rih’s diverse, oft-colorful, and grandiose show gets people flocking, talking and buying up product in the aftermath. Given this consistent critique of VS—maybe Lauren has a point and the allure of the once iconic brand no longer has as much sparkle.
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