The Victoria's Secret Fashion Show 2024

The long-awaited return of the iconic fashion show.

Model Kate Moss, 50, on her debut walk for Victoria’s Secret on the 15th of October 2024. Photograph: Vogue

Iconic 90’s supermodel, Kate Moss rocked the catwalk for Victoria’s Secret whilst walking to Joan Jett’s and The Blackhearts’ hit, ‘I Love Rock ‘n’ Roll’. Labelled as a ‘rockstar trapped in a supermodels body’ in the 90s, her entrance couldn’t have been more on brand for her reputation. Coupled with the long lace dress and black wings, Moss remained true to her style by walking with a strong presence and fierce facial expressions, abnormal to most Victoria’s Secret models who usually adopt flirty and fun facial expressions. But when you are THE Kate Moss, does anyone really mind what expressions you’re using?

Along with Kate Moss, we were blessed to witness the return of famous models such as Tyra Banks, Adriana Lima and Candice Swanepoel. Out of retirement, it was clear Victoria’s Secret were not messing about with the budget on the models that they had grace the runway. However, fans are now speculating whether the money put in to the models, took away from the overall aesthetic of the show.

In the past, The Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show has been symbolic of it’s glittery raised runway, blinding sparkles on the wings and bouncy blowouts. The models walking on a raised platform offered the illusion of angels as they were positioned higher than the crowd. Their ethereal beauty and slim figures set them apart from ‘ordinary people’ and fed into the belief of angels. But this year we saw a turn of events.

The runway was level with the audience, the floor was a grey and had no sparkle to it and the wings were not as elaborate as previous years. Perhaps this is Victoria’s Secret’s way of making audiences feel more involved and a part of the experience.

Tyra Banks, famous 90s supermodel who was widely known for her harsh criticism as the head judge on ‘America’s Next Top Model’, made her retirement comeback as a now plus sized woman. Some are questioning whether her presence in the show was demonstrated as inclusivity or just another famous face for the runway.

Tyra Banks, 50, closing the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show 2024. Photograph taken by ANGELA WEISS/AFP via Getty Images

Along with Tyra Banks, famous plus sized model Ashley Graham made her debut walk for Victoria’s Secret. Yet another representation of how the fashion industry is moving forward with inclusivity. Having models such as Ashley Graham in the famous show that ordinarily showcased slim models catapults a new era of modelling for society.

Ashley Graham, 36, walking her debut for Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show 2024. Photograph: Ashley Grahams Instagram - @theashleygraham

Many famous faces also re-grew their wings and stepped back on to the runway such as Gigi Hadid, Bella Hadid and Taylor Hill. The sisters, Gigi and Bella had the responsibility of opening and closing the show. Gigi opened by coming out of the stage wearing luxurious, gigantic pink wings, a typical Victoria’s Secret look and Bella closed wearing red, voluminous, mystical wings. Almost as if they were paying homage to the white and dark swan from Swan Lake. Fans are in debate as to whether the sisters should have had the privilege of opening and closing the show as in the past they have merely been models in the show not ‘angels’. However, other fans are applauding the decision by commenting that the Hadid sisters are the famous models of our current generation and will continue modelling for some time.

The success of this years Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show will remain as an iconic one for many years with the famous faces such as Kate Moss, Adriana Lima and Tyra Banks blessing the runway with their presence. With many opinions circulating, it can’t be denied that this show was nothing but mesmerising and combined the ‘old and the new’ seamlessly.