Does the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show Hold Up in 2018?
“The Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show is unlike any other in the world,” an emcee said over the microphone just before the show was about to begin. The brand made their return to New York after two years abroad for its annual runway spectacle — which it declared the “Super Bowl for supermodels” — with two tapings held at Pier 94, which will be televised on ABC on Dec. 2 at 10 p.m. EST.
Leading into the show, many wondered how — or if — the VS show would adapt in a post-#MeToo, post-Kavanaugh, postmidterm election climate. The brand seems content with doubling down on its usual branding of sexiness, which might have struck a chord in years past but was tinged with a dated quality come Thursday.
The show did offer moments of conversation, particularly at the beginning. Prior to the first set of looks, a video montage was shown of various models speaking on the topic of womanhood and girl power. “It’s difficult being a woman, and other women understand that,” one said, while another voiced “It’s fun to be a woman and I think we should own that.”
Categories for this year’s show included: Glam Royale, Golden Angel, Flights of Fancy, Team Pink, Floral Fantasy, Downtown Angel and Celestial Angel.
Taylor Hill opened the show to the live performance of Keala Settle’s hit from “The Greatest Showman,” “This Is Me” in a punky tartan-plaid teeny mini-skirt with feathered, bright red wings and matching bra to introduce the Glam Royale section. Models such as Gigi Hadid, Kendall Jenner and
Cindy Bruna took their first walk of the night clad in tartan capes, feathered wings, and plenty of lacy lingerie in knee-high lace-up pumps. Candice Swanepoel then opened the Golden Angel section, which included plenty of pretty brocade bustiers, corsets and floral wings, as The Chainsmokers and Kelsea Ballerini performed alongside.
There was an homage to Adriana
Lima, the brand’s longest-running Angel, who took the runway for a solo walk to celebrate hanging up her wings after 19 years followed by a performance by Halsey during the Flights of Fancy section. Models such as Bella Hadid, Winnie Harlow and Devon Windsor emerged clad in feathered wings and shoes and embellished bodysuits over shimmering lingerie; Elsa Hosk closed the section in the Atelier Swarovskidesigned $1 million Fantasy Bra.
Outside of fanciful lingerie and theatrical ►
Inside the struggling brand’s biggest night.