Victoria's Secret says it will bring back its runway show. Take a look at how the fashion event changed over the years. (2024)

Table of Contents

The first Victoria's Secret Fashion Show took place in 1995 at the Plaza Hotel in New York. By 1996, the fashion show had better lighting but was still focused on lingerie. The show had started to become a bigger deal by 1998. By 1999, the wings had become the show's focal point. The underwear was no longer the main focus. And models like Tyra Banks started to own the runway. In 2000, the show was held at the Cannes Film Festival as a part of the Cinema Against AIDS 2000 gala. It raised $3.5 million. In 2001, the show moved to Bryant Park in New York City. In 2002, the show moved to New York's Lexington Avenue Armory. Gisele Bündchen was followed down the runway by protestors from PETA for wearing fur. She seemed unperturbed. During these early years, the brand began to recognize a core group of models, including Heidi Klum, Tyra Banks, and Gisele Bündchen. Here they are in 2003. After a hiatus in 2004, the 2005 show debuted the biggest wings yet. The costumes were also becoming more elaborate than ever before. The 2005 Angels posed as a group, too. This was the final show for Tyra Banks who left to launch her television career. The following year, Victoria's Secret's playful sub-brand Pink made its runway debut at the Kodak Theater in Los Angeles. And the 2006 show couldn't pass by without even larger wings. This show was Gisele Bündchen's final walk with Victoria's Secret. Heidi Klum walked down the runway looking like a huge snowflake in 2007. The 2008 show was at Fontainebleu Miami Beach in Florida. Heidi Klum carried this giant bow down the runway in 2008. In 2009, the show was back at the Lexington Avenue Armory. But they couldn't beat 2010's Victoria's Secret Angel wings. In fact, all the props were bigger in 2010. The 2011 Victoria's Secret Fashion Show was huge. But 2012 surpassed 2011 with an even bigger stage and setup. There was also a new order of supermodels in 2012, including Adriana Lima, Alessandra Ambrosio, and Candice Swanepoel, among others. The shows became more elaborate over the years. Taylor Swift also performed in the 2013 show. 2014 had stage designs that effortlessly changed throughout the show. In this 2014 shot, it doesn't even look like the same stage. 2014 also had the first dual fantasy bras. Lima and Ambrosio's bras were valued at $2 million each. In 2015, the show featured new fashion "it" girls like Gigi Hadid and Kendall Jenner. In 2015, model Maria Borges wore her hair natural and close-cropped, which was a critically lauded move. In 2016, there was more natural hair than ever before on the runway, according to the Victoria's Secret show's hairstylist. The show was held in Paris, France. In 2017, 56 models walked in the runway show, which was held at the Mercedes-Benz Arena in Shanghai, China. However, the show was plagued with problems before it even began. Then, during the show, model Ming Xi fell on the runway. All drama aside, there were some stunning looks. There weren't a whole lot of wings on the runway, though. Instead, many of the brand's top models sported flowing, Grecian sleeves. In some ways, the show marked the end of an era. Just before walking, longtime Angel Alessandra Ambrosio announced that it would be her last show. The 2018 show was held in New York City after two years abroad. The same year, newcomer Kelsey Merritt made history as the first Filipino woman to walk in the Victoria's Secret Fashion Show. Winnie Harlow also made her debut in the 2018 fashion show. The brand partnered with designer Mary Katrantzou, who created edgy floral ensembles —like this one, which included a parachute for wings, worn by Gigi Hadid. Like Gigi Hadid, Kendall Jenner returned to the runway after missing the 2017 show. The 2018 show was Angel Adriana Lima's last. The 2019 fashion show was canceled due to a decline in viewership. Victoria's Secret announced in 2021 that it will bring back its annual fashion show without the Angels. FAQs

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Megan Willett-Wei, Susie Heller, Chloe Pantazi, and Celia Fernandez

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2021-07-20T20:03:49Z

Victoria's Secret says it will bring back its runway show. Take a look at how the fashion event changed over the years. (1)

Victoria's Secret CEO Martin Waters said the company's annual fashion show will be back.
The brand canceled its runway show in 2019. A date for the new fashion event hasn't been announced yet.
Waters said the fashion show will return in "a way that's culturally relevant in the coming years."

The first Victoria's Secret Fashion Show took place in 1995 at the Plaza Hotel in New York.

Victoria's Secret says it will bring back its runway show. Take a look at how the fashion event changed over the years. (2)

The models wore slinky slips and shiny bras.

By 1996, the fashion show had better lighting but was still focused on lingerie.

Victoria's Secret says it will bring back its runway show. Take a look at how the fashion event changed over the years. (3)

Baby dolls were extremely popular.

The show had started to become a bigger deal by 1998.

Victoria's Secret says it will bring back its runway show. Take a look at how the fashion event changed over the years. (4)

In addition to costumes, wings made their first appearance on the runway this year.

By 1999, the wings had become the show's focal point.

Victoria's Secret says it will bring back its runway show. Take a look at how the fashion event changed over the years. (5)

The show had an ethereal feel.

The underwear was no longer the main focus.

Victoria's Secret says it will bring back its runway show. Take a look at how the fashion event changed over the years. (6)

It was just one element of the costumes.

And models like Tyra Banks started to own the runway.

Victoria's Secret says it will bring back its runway show. Take a look at how the fashion event changed over the years. (7)

Banks walked the runway in silver lingerie with a billowing cape behind her.

In 2000, the show was held at the Cannes Film Festival as a part of the Cinema Against AIDS 2000 gala. It raised $3.5 million.

Victoria's Secret says it will bring back its runway show. Take a look at how the fashion event changed over the years. (8)

Source: The Dallas Morning News

In 2001, the show moved to Bryant Park in New York City.

Victoria's Secret says it will bring back its runway show. Take a look at how the fashion event changed over the years. (9)

Model Molly Sims walked the runway with much larger angel wings — the trend had become iconic.

In 2002, the show moved to New York's Lexington Avenue Armory. Gisele Bündchen was followed down the runway by protestors from PETA for wearing fur. She seemed unperturbed.

Victoria's Secret says it will bring back its runway show. Take a look at how the fashion event changed over the years. (10)

It was an iconic moment in the show's history.

During these early years, the brand began to recognize a core group of models, including Heidi Klum, Tyra Banks, and Gisele Bündchen. Here they are in 2003.

Victoria's Secret says it will bring back its runway show. Take a look at how the fashion event changed over the years. (11)

All were Victoria's Secret Angels.

After a hiatus in 2004, the 2005 show debuted the biggest wings yet.

Victoria's Secret says it will bring back its runway show. Take a look at how the fashion event changed over the years. (12)

Musician Seal serenaded the models, including then-wife Heidi Klum.

The costumes were also becoming more elaborate than ever before.

Victoria's Secret says it will bring back its runway show. Take a look at how the fashion event changed over the years. (13)

Models have since walked the Victoria's Secret runway wearing even wilder ensembles.

The 2005 Angels posed as a group, too. This was the final show for Tyra Banks who left to launch her television career.

Victoria's Secret says it will bring back its runway show. Take a look at how the fashion event changed over the years. (14)

Source: Associated Press

The following year, Victoria's Secret's playful sub-brand Pink made its runway debut at the Kodak Theater in Los Angeles.

Victoria's Secret says it will bring back its runway show. Take a look at how the fashion event changed over the years. (15)

Source: Fashionista

And the 2006 show couldn't pass by without even larger wings. This show was Gisele Bündchen's final walk with Victoria's Secret.

Victoria's Secret says it will bring back its runway show. Take a look at how the fashion event changed over the years. (16)

Source: New York Daily News

Heidi Klum walked down the runway looking like a huge snowflake in 2007.

Victoria's Secret says it will bring back its runway show. Take a look at how the fashion event changed over the years. (17)

Many of the wings models wear don't look much like wings at all.

The 2008 show was at Fontainebleu Miami Beach in Florida.

Victoria's Secret says it will bring back its runway show. Take a look at how the fashion event changed over the years. (18)

The outfits were even more dramatic and vampy.

Heidi Klum carried this giant bow down the runway in 2008.

Victoria's Secret says it will bring back its runway show. Take a look at how the fashion event changed over the years. (19)

Pink bows are a recognizable part of the Victoria's Secret brand.

In 2009, the show was back at the Lexington Avenue Armory.

Victoria's Secret says it will bring back its runway show. Take a look at how the fashion event changed over the years. (20)

The Pink models showed off their own brightly colored wings.

But they couldn't beat 2010's Victoria's Secret Angel wings.

Victoria's Secret says it will bring back its runway show. Take a look at how the fashion event changed over the years. (21)

The looks models wore at the Victoria's Secret Fashion Show became bigger and bolder over the years.

In fact, all the props were bigger in 2010.

Victoria's Secret says it will bring back its runway show. Take a look at how the fashion event changed over the years. (22)

In reality, the models had to do a lot of training before the show.

The 2011 Victoria's Secret Fashion Show was huge.

Victoria's Secret says it will bring back its runway show. Take a look at how the fashion event changed over the years. (23)

Kanye West performed, there was a superhero theme, and the runway was filled with sparkles.

But 2012 surpassed 2011 with an even bigger stage and setup.

Victoria's Secret says it will bring back its runway show. Take a look at how the fashion event changed over the years. (24)

Even Rihanna made an appearance.

There was also a new order of supermodels in 2012, including Adriana Lima, Alessandra Ambrosio, and Candice Swanepoel, among others.

Victoria's Secret says it will bring back its runway show. Take a look at how the fashion event changed over the years. (25)

Angels had a special contract with Victoria's Secret, which meant they had obligations to the brand that a runway model may not have had.

The shows became more elaborate over the years.

Victoria's Secret says it will bring back its runway show. Take a look at how the fashion event changed over the years. (26)

2013 was all about feathers.

Taylor Swift also performed in the 2013 show.

Victoria's Secret says it will bring back its runway show. Take a look at how the fashion event changed over the years. (27)

Swift performed alongside her model friend Karlie Kloss.

2014 had stage designs that effortlessly changed throughout the show.

Victoria's Secret says it will bring back its runway show. Take a look at how the fashion event changed over the years. (28)

The background to the runway became more creative over the years.

In this 2014 shot, it doesn't even look like the same stage.

Victoria's Secret says it will bring back its runway show. Take a look at how the fashion event changed over the years. (29)

The gold background matched the theme of the show's segment.

2014 also had the first dual fantasy bras. Lima and Ambrosio's bras were valued at $2 million each.

Victoria's Secret says it will bring back its runway show. Take a look at how the fashion event changed over the years. (30)

The fantasy bra concept dates back to 1996, but this was the first year two models got to wear them.

In 2015, the show featured new fashion "it" girls like Gigi Hadid and Kendall Jenner.

Victoria's Secret says it will bring back its runway show. Take a look at how the fashion event changed over the years. (31)

Gigi Hadid's sister Bella also walked the runway.

In 2015, model Maria Borges wore her hair natural and close-cropped, which was a critically lauded move.

Victoria's Secret says it will bring back its runway show. Take a look at how the fashion event changed over the years. (32)

Source: Essence

In 2016, there was more natural hair than ever before on the runway, according to the Victoria's Secret show's hairstylist.

Victoria's Secret says it will bring back its runway show. Take a look at how the fashion event changed over the years. (33)

Source: Refinery 29

The show was held in Paris, France.

Victoria's Secret says it will bring back its runway show. Take a look at how the fashion event changed over the years. (34)

Of the 51 women walking in the show, 18 of them were newbies.

In 2017, 56 models walked in the runway show, which was held at the Mercedes-Benz Arena in Shanghai, China.

Victoria's Secret says it will bring back its runway show. Take a look at how the fashion event changed over the years. (35)

Of the group, 13 were official Angels and 14 were newcomers.

However, the show was plagued with problems before it even began. Then, during the show, model Ming Xi fell on the runway.

Victoria's Secret says it will bring back its runway show. Take a look at how the fashion event changed over the years. (36)

Read more about Xi's fall and the drama surrounding the show.

All drama aside, there were some stunning looks.

Victoria's Secret says it will bring back its runway show. Take a look at how the fashion event changed over the years. (37)

The brand collaborated with Balmain, which added an edgy vibe to the show.

There weren't a whole lot of wings on the runway, though. Instead, many of the brand's top models sported flowing, Grecian sleeves.

Victoria's Secret says it will bring back its runway show. Take a look at how the fashion event changed over the years. (38)

You can see all the looks here.

In some ways, the show marked the end of an era. Just before walking, longtime Angel Alessandra Ambrosio announced that it would be her last show.

Victoria's Secret says it will bring back its runway show. Take a look at how the fashion event changed over the years. (39)

All things considered, the show went well.

The 2018 show was held in New York City after two years abroad.

Victoria's Secret says it will bring back its runway show. Take a look at how the fashion event changed over the years. (40)

Of the 60 models who walked in the show, 18 were newcomers.

The same year, newcomer Kelsey Merritt made history as the first Filipino woman to walk in the Victoria's Secret Fashion Show.

Victoria's Secret says it will bring back its runway show. Take a look at how the fashion event changed over the years. (41)

The 22-year-old model shared an Instagram video of her emotional reaction to being cast in the show.

Winnie Harlow also made her debut in the 2018 fashion show.

Victoria's Secret says it will bring back its runway show. Take a look at how the fashion event changed over the years. (42)

Before walking in the show, the 24-year-old Canadian model told Vogue she wanted to promote body positivityon the runway.

"Representation is so important, and I want to [stand for] all women," she told Vogue. "Every single woman."

The brand partnered with designer Mary Katrantzou, who created edgy floral ensembles —like this one, which included a parachute for wings, worn by Gigi Hadid.

Victoria's Secret says it will bring back its runway show. Take a look at how the fashion event changed over the years. (43)

Hadid returned to the fashion show this year after missing it in 2017.

See all the looks from the 2018 fashion show here.

Like Gigi Hadid, Kendall Jenner returned to the runway after missing the 2017 show.

Victoria's Secret says it will bring back its runway show. Take a look at how the fashion event changed over the years. (44)

Naturally, Kris Jenner was sitting front row in the audience and even recorded her daughter walking down the runway on her phone.

The 2018 show was Angel Adriana Lima's last.

Victoria's Secret says it will bring back its runway show. Take a look at how the fashion event changed over the years. (45)

The veteran Victoria's Secret model and longest-running Angel walked in her 20th and final show in 2018. The brand honored her by playing a "Thank You Adriana" video that compiled moments from her modeling career before she walked down the runway and bid a tearful goodbye to the show.

The 2019 fashion show was canceled due to a decline in viewership.

Victoria's Secret says it will bring back its runway show. Take a look at how the fashion event changed over the years. (46)

The Victoria's Secret fashion show was canceled after being held annually for decades. In 2019, Leslie Wexner, the former CEO of the brand's parent company, L Brands, confirmed in an email sent to employees that the runway show wouldn't be broadcast on network TV, according to Harper's Bazaar.

Viewership of the show dropped after Ed Razek, the former chief marketing officer of L Brands, said in a 2018 interview with Vogue that he didn't believe the annual fashion show should feature "transsexuals" because "the show is a fantasy."

Razek issued a formal apology, but less than a year later, Victoria's Secret announced it was not moving forward with its annual event.

Victoria's Secret announced in 2021 that it will bring back its annual fashion show without the Angels.

Victoria's Secret says it will bring back its runway show. Take a look at how the fashion event changed over the years. (47)

Victoria's Secret CEO Martin Water told investors that the company was going to "get back into the fashion show business," according to CNBC. However, a date has yet to be announced for the runway show.

"We're not in a hurry to announce when that will be or how that will be ... but we will redefine it in a way that's culturally relevant in the coming years," he said.

In June, Victoria's Secret announced it was done using its Angels, and is partnering with a group of inspirational women, including Priyanka Chopra Jonas and Megan Rapinoe, who will be the new faces and voices of the brand.

FAQs

Will Victoria Secret bring back fashion show? ›

Victoria's Secret already said that it plans to bring its fashion show back in some form in the future but hasn't confirmed what that would look like or when it will happen.

Tell Me More ›

Will there be a Victoria Secret show in 2022? ›

Victoria's Secret: Angels and Demons (TV Mini Series 2022) - IMDb.

Learn More ›

What happened to Victoria Secret runway show? ›

Due to the immense amount of criticism, Victoria's Secret Fashion Show reconsidered its marketing strategy, which ultimately contributed to the end of the runway shows. The brand's focus changed to digital-platform marketing with the aim of restoring its reputation.

Show Me More ›

Why did Victoria Secret stop doing fashion shows? ›

The show launched in 1995 and was once a major pop culture event, drawing millions of viewers each year. Last year it had its lowest ratings ever and drew criticism that it was sexist, outdated and lacked diversity. The brand's parent company L Brands said it was important to "evolve" its marketing strategy.

See Details ›

Is the Victoria Secret fashion show canceled forever? ›

If you haven't been keeping up with the latest news in the world of women's lingerie, you may be shocked to hear that the once beloved Victoria's Secret Fashion Show is cancelled indefinitely.

Get More Info ›

What year was the last Victoria Secret fashion show? ›

The 2018 show marked the last runway for supermodel Adriana Lima as well as the end of the Victoria's secret fashion show.

Know More ›

Who are the 2023 Victoria Secret models? ›

For Valentine's Day 2023, Victoria's Secret celebrates the power of love with a campaign starring Bella Hadid, Imaan Hammam, Adut Akech, Candice Huffine, Valentina Sampaio, Mayowa Nicholas, Taylor Hill, Paloma Elsesser, and Devyn Garcia.

Find Out More ›

Who is the most popular Victoria Secret model? ›

Adriana Lima is the most popular and influential Victoria's Secret Angel.

Keep Reading ›

Who are the models at the Victoria Secret Fashion Show 2022? ›

Lingerie brand VICTORIA'S SECRET unveiled their Dream Angels Summer 2022 Collection with a campaign featuring models Mayowa Nicholas, Grace Elizabeth, and Hailey Bieber lensed by fashion photographers Oliver Hadless Pearch and Zoey Grossman.

Learn More Now ›

How tall are Victoria Secret models? ›

Victoria's Secret has high fashion height requirements: must be between 5 feet 6 inches (1.70 m) and 6 feet (1.85 m). Who measure less than 5 feet 8 inches (1.70 m) is generally not considered. In addition to the height, the models must have certain specific measures to model designer clothes.

Find Out More ›

Why is Victoria Secret changing? ›

When Victoria's Secret announced, back in August 2021, that it was rebranding after years of falling sales and falling cultural credibility — that it would become a champion of female empowerment, replacing its bevy of supermodel angels with the VS Collective — 10 women of great accomplishment as well as varying ages ...

Why is Victoria's Secret losing money? ›

Victoria's Secret & Co. slumped in late trading on concerns about declines in average purchase amounts and signals that US consumption is weakening. Total sales fell 8.5% in the third quarter, driven by a drop at North American stores, although international sales rebounded amid looser Covid-related restrictions.