By: Jamie Smith | Staff Writer
The Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show attracts female viewers from across the globe every year in mid-October. It’s an annual fashion show that not only showcases legendary and up-and-coming models, but also markets styles and designs available to customers of Victoria’s Secret.
One of the most iconic features of this fashion show is the angel wings that many models wear down the runway. These wings are all custom made and can weigh up to 50 pounds. Since the first show in 1995, the event has taken on many new faces. In recent years, the fashion show has featured an increasing number of social media influencers alongside traditional models.
One of the most notable changes that has been made is Victoria Secret’s attempt to be more inclusive. While all who walk the runway still appear in lingerie, there is a clear effort to include models that don’t necessarily fit into the tall, thin supermodel stereotype.
Among the models featured in the show this year was Barbara Palvin, who had just given birth six weeks prior to walking the runway, and curve models Ashley Graham, Precious Lee and Paloma Elsesser.
In 2001, the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show began to feature musical performances on the runway alongside the models. The artists who performed at this year’s fashion show were Megan Moroney, Tate McRae, Megan Thee Stallion and KATSEYE. The diversity in not only the performers themselves but the music they performed seemed to fit right along with Victoria Secret’s effort to be inclusive.
Although the show’s purpose is to display new lingerie items sold at Victoria’s Secret, in recent years, the goal, according to Victoria’s Secret, has also been to empower and uplift women. Historically, the runway has favored thin, white, “trendy” bodies. However, this is 2026, meaning every body belongs on the runway, and the company has made a clear effort to try to portray that.
The climax of the show is the reveal of the fantasy bra. This year’s bra, worth $50 million and designed by luxury jeweler Jacob & Co., marks the return of the fantasy bra after eight years of retirement. This year, the model wearing the fantasy bra was not revealed until the night of the show itself.
Many were surprised when Kylie Jenner stepped out onto the runway wearing the infamous fantasy bra. She walked out to “Angel of My Dreams” by JADE, wearing big, white-feathered wings. To me, it seemed like she was made for this role.
I think what’s most inspiring about this event is the sole female empowerment and confidence that it exudes.
Growing up, I used to watch the show with my sister. I remember sitting in our living room, eyes locked onto the TV for the hour-plus performance of a fashion show. We were consistently inspired by every beautiful form, color and set of wings.
Ultimately, to me, the Victoria’s Secret Fashion show is about more than just modeling lingerie. It’s a statement of femininity, beauty, acceptance and confidence.
My hope for the future of the show is that it can inspire and remind young girls that every woman carries the wings of the women who came before her, like it did for me. Mothers, sisters, daughters, aunts and grandmothers all deserve to feel beautiful, empowered and worthy of taking up space. To put it simply, every woman deserves wings.
