Victoria’s Secret marked its return to a style reminiscent of its earlier years at the 2026 Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show, held recently in Los Angeles. The event featured the long-anticipated debut of the Fantasy Bra, a signature piece that had been absent from the brand’s runway since 2018. Modeled by Kylie Jenner, the centerpiece was an elaborate $50 million creation by Jacob Arabo of Jacob & Co., showcasing a 75.54-carat vivid yellow diamond surrounded by 4,410 white diamonds. Jenner’s look included elaborate Pegasus wings and a minimal sheer skirt, emphasizing the bra as the highlight of the evening.
The show unfolded with a series of thematic segments, including performances by supermodels such as Bella Hadid and Trinity Rodman, alongside musical acts like Megan Moroney and Megan Thee Stallion. Highlights included a “Pink” section featuring provocative outfits accented with playful accessories, such as puppy-themed handbags, signaling a blend of traditional sensuality with contemporary youthful motifs. This year also saw the return of the Victoria’s Secret Angels, a concept retired in 2021 in favor of a more inclusive, woman-focused collective. Adding to the nostalgic tone, supermodel Gisele Bündchen—the brand’s most iconic Angel—participated via a pre-recorded video following an injury that prevented her from walking the runway.
Victoria’s Secret’s revival of the Fantasy Bra and the Angels signals a reversion to the brand’s pre-#MeToo era presentation of sexiness. This approach centers on conventional aesthetics emphasizing legs, breasts, and hips, continuing a tradition rooted in classic imagery of female allure. While company leaders, including Creative Director Adam Selman and CEO Hillary Super, emphasize empowerment and body ownership, critics note that the show reinforces established gender stereotypes and aligns with a male gaze-oriented definition of sexuality. Selman acknowledged that the decision to bring back the Fantasy Bra was driven by consumer demand and dubbed the event “Fandemonium.” The renewed enthusiasm appears reflected in the company’s rising share prices following the show.
The staging of the event comes amid ongoing societal debates about gender representation and sexual objectification, underscoring tensions between evolving cultural values and commercial entertainment. The juxtaposition of such high-glamour spectacle with recent broader national conversations about sexual misconduct highlights the complexity of Victorian Secret’s position in contemporary fashion and social discourse.
Despite the mixed reactions, Victoria’s Secret continues to position itself as a fashion brand providing a familiar vision of femininity and sensuality. Industry observers suggest that future iterations of the show could explore new ways to communicate empowerment through lingerie, potentially moving beyond nostalgic revival toward more innovative expressions of physical agency and identity.