Bella Hadid made a resplendent comeback at the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show on Wednesday, marking a significant moment in the lingerie brand’s rejuvenation journey. The show, celebrating its second year after a six-year break, is a testament to the brand’s resilience and enduring appeal.

This high-profile event, broadcast live on Amazon Prime Video, embraced a return to the iconic ‘glitzy and sensual’ essence of the show. This shift aims to reinvigorate sales following a period of adopting ‘woke’ narratives that some felt deviated from the brand’s core identity.

Bella’s appearance was especially poignant as it followed her retreat from the public eye to address health issues stemming from a controversial chronic Lyme disease diagnosis. Recently, she has also been candid about battling mental health challenges, adding depth to her re-emergence.

The supermodel, accompanied by her sister Gigi Hadid, made a striking impression on the runway. She dazzled in a bold crimson bra and lace thong, her look accentuated by a glowing tan.

Adorning her athletic frame was a red lace garter that supported sheer red stockings, while a dramatic red cloak trailed behind her, flowing elegantly over her forearms. Bella’s return was both a personal triumph and a significant moment for the fashion show’s storied legacy.

The catwalk star traded out her usual brunette tresses for feathered golden-blond locks.

She completed her outfit and elevated her impressive stature with metallic open-toe heels that strapped around her ankles.

Bella returned later in the show with a dramatically different look in a white-and-silver color scheme featuring an opaque white bra decorated with tassels covered with silver sequins.

The bra was connected to her garter, which also was decorated with the sequined tassel and had thin straps crisscrossing her stomach. 

The tasseled garter skirt put the spotlight on her long, trim legs, and she completed her angelic look with a dramatic pair of white flower-covered wings that looked like clouds. 

The show turned into a sister act when her older sister Gigi Hadid also walked the runway.

Gigi, who had her brunette hair parted to the side and swept back in a bun, flashed her taut midriff in a bubblegum-pink top and high-waisted lace panties. 

She covered up with a sheer pink robe that was lined with voluminous pink flowers. 

Gigi complemented her sister when she returned in a second look, a luminous white teddy with a fluttering skirt that was framed by plump white pillow-like wings.

The show is also set to feature several former Victoria’s Secret Angels, including Adriana Lima, Alessandra Ambrosio, Doutzen Kroes, Candice Swanepoel, Behati Prinsloo, Lily Aldridge, Taylor Hill, Stella Maxwell, Barbara Palvin, and Grace Elizabeth.

Other returning models include Joan Smalls, Irina Shayk, Ashley Graham, Anok Yai, Alex Consani, Paloma Elsesser, and Yasmin Wijnaldum.

There will also be newcomers to the runway show like WNBA star Angel Reese, influencer Quenlin Blackwell, nepobaby Iris Law, plus-size model Yumi Nu, model Daiane Sodre, actress Barbie Ferreira, and plus-size model Precious Lee.

Past musical performers at the event included Rihanna, Justin Bieber, Bruno Mars, Taylor Swift, and Cher and this year’s roster includes: Missy Elliott, Karol G, K-Pop group TWICE, and Madison Beer.

Jasmine Tookes kicked off the show by baring her heavily pregnant tummy in a golden mesh cover-up with a satiny brown bra and thong. 

Instead of wings, she had a wire-frame clam shell decorated with enormous pearl-like beads.

Adriana Lima made a stunning entrance in a sheer sequin-covered bodysuit with glittering underwear underneath that made it look almost as if she was walking out in the buff. 

Her minimalist ensemble was decorated with copper-colored metallic wings.

Later, Adriana returned with a second black-and-silver look. 

She contrasted her enormous silver wingspan with a cut-out teddy featuring sheer black stripes over her trim tummy.

She added a touch of elegance with lacy black gloves reaching to her upper arms and a set of knee-high black leather boots. 

Alessandra Ambrosio looked lovely in a sheer beige monokini with clam-like designs protecting her modesty. 

The Brazilian catwalk star’s top was connected by crisscrossing straps to its bottom, and she added a dramatic touch with heart-shaped wings with metallic wings.

Her second outfit featured a black lace bustier and dual-strap panties, along with lace black stocking. 

She was backed by wings with eye holes designed to look like a masquerade ball mask.

WNBA star Angel Reese towered over the runway in a floral bra and thong. 

 

 

She wore a matching garter with dangling suspenders, and she covered up with a fuzzy pink floral boa. 

She also walked in a more casual outfit featuring an odd pink crop top with a cut-out to reveal her pale-pink lace bra and a tied-off bottom. 

Irina Shayk looked like a burlesque performer in her outfit, which included a towering pink featured headdress. 

She wore a sheer white corset top, with a large sequin-covered bow covering her bust, as well as a matching thong.

Her second outfit featured a red bra with an asymmetrical top and a flowing semi-sheer red skirt that fluttered around her to highlight her fit legs. 

Amelia Gray Hamlin put on a sultry display in a skimpy black-and-silver look.

The model daughter of Lisa Rinna wore a round black black decorated with a glittering rhinestone frame and sparkling bows over the cups.

She covered up her black panties with a bejeweled skirt frame that was also decorated with bows. 

Amelia wore her long raven hair down over her shoulders, which framed her sunken cheeks and strikingly plump pout. 

Amelia Gray put on a particularly revealing display with her other look, featuring a semi-sheer red slip with a short skirt that was covered in sequins. 

When she turned around, she revealed that the dress was backless, exposing her red g-string and pert derriere. 

After Madison Beer finished performing her song Make You Mine, the performer also walked the runway. 

She emerged in a sheer pink corset top with silvery floral embroidery and pink feathered wings.

Behati Prinsloo cooled down the show in a lacy blue–gray robe with a flowing gray scarf and circular wing structure. 

The wife of Maroon 5 frontman Adam Levine had her lustrous brunette locks swap back to reveal an enormous pair of round earrings. 

Behati also lightened things up with a gray–brown bra featuring silver accents, along with matching garter and g-string. She had a voluminous copper-colored robe trailing her.

Alex Consani, who at 12 became the world’s youngest transgender model, wore a black bra with sheer high-waisted panties, a garter and matching stockings. 

She added some intrigue with a fuzzy sparkling silver robe draped down around her arms.

She looked fierce in her other outfit, comprised of a red bra with loose-fitting red cargo pants that reached to the ground. 

Stella Maxwell set temperatures soaring in a leather red top that was draped loosely over her svelte figure and red ‘Very Sexy’ in large type over her chest. 

The runway star had legs for day in the look, which included a crimson lace thong and red open-toe heels with ankle straps.

She rocked tall black socks with white strips and pointy-toed white stiletto boots, and she covered her bleached-blond hair with a black ski cap. 

Her elegant blond hair and impeccable visage were framed by her glittering red wings, which were decorated with gleamed square spangles. 

Fellow UK beauty Lila Moss, the daughter of supermodel Kate Moss, changed things up with a cool and casual look for Victoria’s Secret’s sub-brand Pink, which advertises to younger women and girls.

Her more conservative look featured a thin gray sweatshirt-style bodysuit with the logo’s branding in silver block letters on her chest.

The 23-year-old blond beauty paired the top with knee-high white socks featuring gray stripes, along with pink heels, a campus-ready red lanyard and a gray-and-pink beanie. 

Her more conservative look featured a thin gray sweatshirt-style bodysuit with the logo’s branding in silver block letters on her chest. 

Iris Law also modeled for Pink in a black crop top and black panties with a thick sparkling silver waistband.

Model-turned-Euphoria star Barbie Ferreira put her slimmed-down figure on display in a red bra and matching panties, along with pointy gray–blue lace-up backless heels and white socks with red stripes. 

She also wore a denim jacket with comical denim wings.

Sunisa ‘Suni’ Lee, the gymnast who captured gold at the 2020 Olympics, showcased her athletic physique in a Pink crop top over a black bra. 

She wore it with a pink cardigan, black athletic shorts and sparkling silver heels that matched her hoop earrings.

Emily Ratajkowski made her debut on the Victoria’s Secret runway in a lavender lace bra and thong, along with heels that strapped up her legs. 

Unlike the traditional angelic wings many of the models wore, she was strapped to a lovely pink orchid design.

Barbara Palvin had all eyes on her with a sparkling silver top shaped like a bird in flight, which she wore with a silver sequined mini skirt highlighting her long legs.

Ashley Graham put her famous curves on display in a busty black bra and semi-sheer black lace panties. 

She looked ready to take flight with fuzzy black featured wings and a modest train trailing behind her.

South African model Candice Swanepoel covered up a gray–brown bra with a top of multiple beaded strands. 

The look featured a garter, panties and stockings in the same shade, and she boasted metallic wings.

Lilly Aldridge favored a more reserved look featuring a black satin slip decorated with beads and sequins at the bottom of the skirt. 

It featured a plunging neckline to reveal her brown lace bra, and she wore a circular crown framing her face that made her look like a religious icon.

Another of the evening’s musical performers, Karol G, created a stir when she walked the runway in a red satin bodysuit with angular knife-like wings and heels decorated with leaf-like flourishes. 

Precious Lee flaunted her curves in a black bra that peeked out over her pale pink lace bustier, which she wore with matching panties. 

She covered her long, lustrous raven tresses with a dramatic headdress decorated with a pink fan.

Abby Champion contrasted her lustrous black wings with a hot pink sheer teddy, which she wore over a black bra and panties. 

Joan Smalls looked elegant in a white bra and panties that were covered by a top of dangling gold strands. 

She wore small feathered wings attached to her head reminiscent of the Greek god Hermes.

Joan’s other look at the show featured feathered sleeves with a sleek red bra and panties. 

Imaan Hamman was decked out in a black tasseled underwear with silver bedazzled straps and pink bows. 

Daiane Sodre put on a fiery display in a red lace bustier and high-waisted lace panties with sheer red stockings. 

Ju Xiaowen wore an intriguing sheer slip decorated with sequins, which covered up her white bra and sheer lace thong.

Doutzen Kroes covered up in a sheer black bodysuit with floral lace designs and a cutout over her toned tummy. 

It featured a black bra, and she wore a jeweled belly chains and a black feathered headdress with the look.

Abény Nhial contrasted her simple white bra and panties with a lattice-like dress of jeweled strands and sparkling purple pom poms. 

Angelina Kendall paired her white lace bra and panties with a jeweled belt featuring a prominent Victoria’s Secret display in front. 

Grace Elizabeth was packaged up like a present in her sheer beaded dress, which had a large white bow that rested over her white bra. 

Awar Odhiang also wore a sheer bead-covered dress, but she covered up more with white-and-pink striped pajama pants and a white bra. 

She rocked a crap decorated with shooting star designs.

The Georgian model Mathilda Gvarliani rocked a pink bustier and boxy panties, which were partially covered up with a matching top and skirt decorated with Victoria’s Secret logos. 

The outfit featured white bottoms, and she wear enormous rectangular earrings. 

Emeline Hoareau flaunted her stellar figure in a simple black bra and panties that were lined with pink lace. 

She wore a flamingo-inspired pink-and-black feathered headdress.

Anok Yai was decked out in black lingerie, and she covered up her sleek figure with a net-like jeweled top. 

Rounding out the musical performers was hip hop icon MIssy Elliott, who looked effortlessly chic in a black bodysuit. 

The slimmed-down rapper and producer’s outfit featured a bounty of textures with a mix of sequins, rhinestones and opulent jeweled designs. She covered up with cool black wraparound sunglasses, which were framed by her silver hoop earrings. 

For decades, the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show was one of the most coveted runway events in fashion.

It first kicked off in 1995 and immediately attracted immense buzz, with some of the biggest models on the globe walking in the fashion show.

By 2001 it was being broadcasted live on television, and each year, millions tuned in to watch the stunning models strut their stuff and the A-list performers dazzle on stage. 

But in 2019, after more than two decades of it reigning supreme, the annual show was canceled amidst immense criticism over the brand’s lack of diversity when it comes to body types before then-chief marketing officer Ed Razek’s eyebrow-raising comments about trans and plus-sized models.

Last year, the Angels returned to the catwalk after a six year hiatus with a more diverse roster including plus-size and transgender models.

The latest runway show comes weeks after Victoria’s Secret’s new CEO announced plans to return to its ‘unapologetically sexy’ branding as it moves away from its woke rebrand.

The lingerie company is embracing its bombshell roots after years of struggling sales and a tepid response to its diverse catwalk last year.

CEO Hillary Super, 53, who took on the role in September 2024, admitted her predecessors had allowed the brand to become ‘watered down’.

‘At the time I took over, Victoria’s Secret was regarded as inappropriate and off-color and we had to correct those mistakes,’ former CEO Martin Waters told the Wall Street Journal. 

The company toned down its provocative branding after a a 2020 New York Times article reported that many employees and models faced a slew of misogyny and harassment.

At the time, the brand was under the leadership of Leslie Wexner and Ed Razek. 

Super, however, said many decisions were made ‘out of fear’ after the company moved away from their sexualized branding and more toward comfort following a wave of backlash. 

The brand’s seductive lingerie was replaced with products with more coverage and plain designs, as well as a heavier focus on athleisure wear and comfortable pajamas. 

The company’s move into a more diverse and inclusive brand came after Victoria’s Secret came under fire following accusations of the brand’s problematic environment.

A former public relations employee for the company, Casey Crowe Taylor, told WSJ: ‘What was most alarming to me, as someone who was always raised as an independent woman, was just how ingrained this behavior was.

‘This abuse was just laughed off and accepted as normal. It was almost like brainwashing. And anyone who tried to do anything about it wasn’t just ignored. They were punished,’ she added. 

Razek denied the allegations at the time and declared them ‘categorically untrue’ or ‘taken out of context’.

‘I’ve been fortunate to work with countless, world-class models and gifted professionals and take great pride in the mutual respect we have for each other,’ he added. 

A spokesperson for Wexner, who was reported to have close ties to Jeffrey Epstein, declined to provide comment to the outlet at the time. 

Epstein was said to have lied to many Victoria’s Secret models and aspiring models and claimed that he worked for the company.

Victoria’s Secret also faced a wave of backlash in 2019 over poor quality and a lack of diversity among its models.

That same year, the CFO of Victoria’s Secret’s parent company Stuart Burgdoerfer announced the annual VS Fashion Show would be canceled. 

The VS Fashion Show returned in 2024 with a new focus that included plus-sized models, such as Ashley Graham, as well as transgender models and different ethnicities. 

They hired Valentina Sampaio, their first transgender model, to star in their new VS Pink campaign after Razek left. 

However, the show was derided as lackluster and lacking the traditional glamor for which the brand was known.