Sylvia Plath’s novel The Bell Jar inspired existential crisis in women everywhere with the author’s exclamation “Fig Tree” analogy, which examines the destabilizing feeling associated with having too many life choices.  Who could have guessed that the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show would be the antidote? Well, more of an off-label prescription.

As far as mall brands are concerned, Victoria’s Secret is categorically unmatched in terms of legacy and longevity. An anchoring force in this legacy has been the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show, which started in 1995 and reigned for 23 glitzy years before taking a hiatus in 2018. The show returned six years later in 2024.

With $15,000 Fantasy bras and 50-pound wings, the show dominated mainstream media events, becoming a highly anticipated fixture in the homes of 10.3 million viewers at the show’s peak. Of course, this was not without critique, especially as it relates to the ultra-thin beauty standards the show not only normalized but popularized within the mainstream media. Days following the show were like a haunted ancillary period. High school girls would gleefully run down their new diet plans inspired by Adriana Lima’s pre-show “liquid diet” or Gisele Bündchen’s plant-based plan. Social media users would proudly tweet their desire to “never eat again,” and eating disorder rhetoric became the language through which the youth communicated.

Diversity, demands and delivery

@voguemagazine #AngelReese manifested this moment at the #VSFashionShow and were absolutely here for it. ♬ i love vlada – harvey

Due to copious and reasonable backlash, Victoria’s Secret took some time to reflect, regroup and regather. In these changes, some great things have happened. The Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show is now led by Adam Selman, who was responsible for the famously diverse Savage x Fenty fashion show, which many accredit with being the kick in the rinestone-covered panties Victoria’s Secret needed to have a more diverse show.

@jastookes So surreal #victoriassecret ♬ original sound – Jasmine Tookes

As to be expected, the anti-woke mob was not too keen on all of the “representation” sent down the runway. From dubbing Angel Reese as an unworthy model to shunning the inclusion of plus-sized angels, inclusive environments ignite a palpable rage in the conservative community, which yearns for the days when women would starve themselves for days at a time. This, according to these people, was the show’s glory days.

Body diversity and beyond

@preciousleexoxo #VSFashionShow ♬ original sound – mostknownunknown

By and large, though, the 2025 Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show was a testament to a form of cultural absorption that extends beyond racial and body diversity, though that was also rightfully on display.

The true apex of this year’s Victoria’s Secret Fashion, though, was how it illustrated the many layers women contain. It wasn’t just a fantastic display of women who spend an admirable amount of time and attention to look amazing for this all-important night. From having Jasmine Tookes open the show nine months pregnant with her second child, to having world-class athletes like Olympic gymnast Suni Lee and basketball phenom Angel Reese take the runway.

Rather, it was a celebration of women existing in multitudes as mothers, athletes and now, models.
The post The Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show’s Diversity Was An Existential Antidote appeared first on Blavity.



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