Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show was held in New York on Tuesday for the first time since 2018. The iconic runway show was held at the Victoria's Secret flagship store in New York City, but is this truly what inclusivity looks like?

Tuesday night’s show comes three years after the lingerie brand's controversial body-positive rebrand in 2021, when Victoria's Secret's iconic Angels were replaced by ambassadors like soccer star Megan Rapinoe.

The company also axed its long-time CEO in the wake of falling sales and a bombshell exposé that accused the company of misogyny, sexual harassment and bullying.

The 2024 edition of Victoria’s Secret Fashion show was advertised as a show that would “reflect who we are today,” aimed at inclusivity, both in body and gender diversity.

The show featured two trans models, Alex Consani and Valentina Sampaio, making good on its promise that gender doesn’t preclude a model from getting their wings.

Paloma Elsesser and Ashley Graham’s angel debuts as plus-sized models was refreshing, looking markedly different from their thinner peers, however, they wore less revealing outfits, compared to the string bikini underwear and bras of models like the Hadid sisters.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Victoria's Secret (@victoriassecret)

Aside from that, the runway was dominated by ultra-thin models who didn’t look anything like the average woman - still setting a beauty standard most women will never meet.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Victoria's Secret (@victoriassecret)

Fans took to social media to air their disappointment, and they weren’t holding back.

@Taytrust: “Next year I don’t want to see any short hair models on the run way long hair and extensions please and thank you big teased and voluminous I want sexy alluring big body curls I want glitter & glitz.”

@jessishaylene: “I have been waiting for years for the VS Fashion Show to come back and I am so disappointed. To bring back all the VS legends and it be THAT boring and uncreative (NOT the models fault). Several models like Lily we just got a glimpse of….this show did not capture the magic like it used to.”

@lalala19707: “After the whole Epstein thing, it's difficult to look at the VS the brand. The show was nice but not as special as it used to be...”

@amyreiber: “What happened to fit, flirty and fun?! This was dark, demonic and depressing 2 wings down 🪽🪽I'm so sorry, but the only good thing about the show were the singers and their performances.”

Cher was the night's headline performer, along with Blackpink alum Lisa and Tyla.

Tyra Banks opened the show as she announced: “A brand new Victoria’s Secret fashion show, where women take the reins and the spotlight.”

It is true that women were centre stage - but then again, being a women’s lingerie brand, they always have been.

IOL Lifestyle