Victoria’s Secret show returns after controversy
Kate Moss wore a lace-covered slip dress over a black bodysuit ensemble with a pair of feathered angel wings
Annabel Rackham
Culture reporter
Models and pop stars took to the catwalk as the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show made its comeback, five years after it was cancelled.
The lingerie brand’s catwalk show was scrapped after its 2018 edition drew low ratings as well as criticism that it was sexist, outdated and lacked diversity.
It returned on Tuesday in New York, where British supermodel Kate Moss, 50, made her debut at the event, with her 22-year-old daughter Lila also appearing on the runway.
The show also featured musical performances from Cher, Tyla and Blackpink’s Lisa.
Image source, Getty Images
Sisters Gigi and Bella Hadid wore matching outfits on the runway
Image source, Getty Images
Valentina Sampaio became the first transgender model to represent Victoria’s Secret in 2019 and walked at Tuesday’s show
The fashion show, which was launched in 1995, would ordinarily attract millions of viewers each year and big-name performers like Rihanna and Taylor Swift.
But ratings dropped and controversies plagued the brand, including former marketing head Ed Razek‘s 2018 apology for comments he made on why transgender and plus-sized models were not featured on the runway.
This year’s comeback promised to “celebrate all women”, and featured Brazilian model Valentina Sampaio, who became the first transgender model to represent Victoria’s Secret in 2019.
There was also an appearance from another transgender model, Alex Consani.
Plus-sized models including Ashley Graham and Paloma Elsesser also walked the famous runway, but some saw this as a token gesture considering the company’s history.
Image source, Getty Images
Italian model Vittoria Ceretti was one of 50 models from 25 countries
Image source, Getty Images
Tyra Banks made her first Victoria’s Secret runway appearance since 2009
‘Thin, conventionally attractive models’
Image source, Getty Images
Ashley Graham’s appearance as a plus-sized model was seen as a token gesture of body diversity by some
While Kate Moss’s appearance in a black lace dress and trademark angel wings was unexpected, a few familiar faces made their runway returns.
Gigi and Bella Hadid showcased a number of looks including matching red lingerie, with fan favourites Barbara Palvin and Candice Swanepoel also walking.
Former America’s Next Top Model host Tyra Banks, 50, appeared at the event for the first time since 2009.
Another model to make her return was Adriana Lima, who walked in 2018 before the show was scrapped.
Reaction to this year’s show has been mixed, with Harper’s Bazaar’s Dani Maher, external writing: “Were there any moments burned into my brain with similar urgency [to previous shows]? I’m not so sure.”
The event’s executive producer Janie Schaffer highlighted its diversity, saying there were 50 models from 25 different countries.
But Maher wrote that despite this, “the runway was still overwhelmingly dominated by thin conventionally attractive models”.
This was echoed by Teen Vogue associate editor Aiyana Ishmael, external, who wrote: “As I watched thin model after thin model take the runway, I was catapulted right back to my childhood living room, watching women who didn’t look like me set a beauty standard most women will never meet.”
