Tyra Banks made an unforgettable comeback to the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show with her signature stride and “smize.” It has been nearly two decades since Tyra Banks last strutted her stuff on that supermodel runway, but she was welcomed back to close out the reinvented 2024 show in a stunning VSX balconette catsuit and metallic bustier paired with a cape. Even though she wasn’t sporting the iconic wings of a classic angel, her presence was unmistakable as she reminded everyone that she is the first Black contact model hired by the company.
Victoria’s Secret Revival and Inclusivity
This much-anticipated revival comes in the wake of big changes for Victoria’s Secret, which had been accused of a lack of inclusivity and diversity before the hiatus began in 2019. Still, the show, now streaming on Amazon Prime, needed to work to invite a modern, more inclusive ethos without sacrificing any of the glamour and excitement fans have learned to expect from this iconic event.
The Return of Project Runway
For a fashion industry left to lament the show’s six-year absence, the return of Project Runway was enough of an event. This resurrection comes after years of declining ratings and controversy surrounding the brand’s approach to body positivity and inclusivity. Once the staple of American pop culture from 1995 to 2018, the show has been reimagined to reflect a broader spectrum of beauty and representation in fashion.
Tyra Banks: An Icon and Mentor
An epitome of this shift, Banks had walked in nine Victoria’s Secret shows before her retirement. She would more than likely become a brand ambassador because of her position as a model. For such an icon as a model, many aspiring models would find her as a mentor and inspiration. Next came another gathering of models, known faces and new, strutting confidently down the runway.
Gigi Hadid’s Show Opener
Gigi Hadid opened the show in a resplendent pink satin romper with mechanical angel wings and the phrase “We Are Back” backlit over the backdrop. Fellow supermodels also appeared on the catwalk, such as Bella Hadid, Kate Moss, and many more. Veterans and newbies bridled the catwalk because Victoria’s Secret has long made clear that diversity will always have a seat at the table. Yet some in the room quickly pointed out that despite such advances, the evening still managed to exude an air of exclusivity.
Gisele Bündchen’s Absence
Despite having a fashion show that was super-heavy on the super-homers – the likes of Alessandra Ambrosio, Adriana Lima, and Georgia May Jagger – one highly conspicuous absentee was Gisele Bündchen. The supermodel – a mainstay of Victoria’s Secret history from 1999 through 2006 – will also be passing on an invitation to join the campaign again this year, noting that she wished to pursue other creative avenues for her career. Bündchen also revealed that she had no intention of continuing with the runway shows. She said that she hadn’t closed that chapter of her life, simply explaining that she didn’t want to do runways anymore.
Shifting Dynamics in the Modeling Industry
Bündchen’s decision not to return to the Victoria’s Secret runway has opened up discussions with regard to changing dynamics in modeling industries. More of the models these days will not appear on traditional runways and instead have their focus on personal development and businesses. Though she is no longer on the runways of Victoria’s Secret, Bündchen has not lost any business. She’s associated with many designers and works with most of them. Nor has she lost any distinction in the industry.
Musical Performances and Female Empowerment
As the programme progressed, tension mounted with musical sets filling the air with excitement. ‘Believe’ and ‘Strong Enough’ were played live and served to close it down by cherry-topping performer Cher. Of course, an all-female musical line-up—which included K-pop superstar LISA and South African singer Tyla—was only befitting the very contest that was aimed at bringing women together to boast female artistry at par.
Ashley Graham’s Role as a Victoria’s Secret Angel
Ashley Graham made great headlines with her look as she took the stage and stepped forth as a Victoria’s Secret Angel. As a body positivity campaign supporter, Graham is ecstatic about holding the fort for curvy beauties across the iconic runway of Victoria’s Secret. This sets the new course for the brand, she says, adding how she initially refused to join the brand, fearing that it might not do justice to the really pronounced needs of the curvaceous. But now, she is relieved, knowing that they would invest more in extended sizes and expand from their restricted portfolio.
Lingerie Design and Feminine Confidence
There was excellent lingerie design in all hues of the rainbow adorning the catwalks through the evening, each style finalized to exalt femininity and confidence. The fashion runway was transformed into a platform for models to stand for and assert the uniqueness of its kind while paying respect to the legacy of the brand. It was not just about clothes but also community building since all girls supported one another when they hit the ramp.
Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show’s New Narrative
Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show is something more than a nostalgic journey down memory lane. For today, it stands as an admission to evolve with changing times and society. The embracing of a wider variety of models and performances forms a new narrative and more strongly connects that to a much larger audience. It marks the beginning of bigger shifts in the fashion world now toward inclusivity and representation rather than merely being an option.
A New Chapter for Victoria’s Secret
As the show came to a close, with Banks’s triumphant return and the quintessentially mixed models, it underlined for Victoria’s Secret a new chapter. The brand’s flexibility to grow reflects a shifting industry that increasingly holds representation in high regard. By paying homage to its past while looking toward its future, Victoria’s Secret hopes to reclaim its place as one of the leaders in the fashion arena.
The Event’s Impact on Inclusivity
Summing up, this return of Tyra Banks to the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show captured the audience and strongly reflected the massive change in the brand. The event featured a diverse group of models in celebration and musical lineup with incredible powers. Notable in her absence was Gisele Bündchen, which underlined a shift in industry direction toward valuing more than traditional runway appearances.
Embracing Diversity and Inclusivity in Fashion
This revival of the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show is evidence of the consistent ability of the fashion world to mirror the transformations happening in society. In embracing diversity and inclusivity, the brand takes very necessary steps toward a brighter and more representative future in the fashion industry while iconic figures such as Tyra Banks return to this world, as well as new voices are injected.