Since its intimate debut at the Plaza Hotel in 1995, the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show swiftly transformed from a simple lingerie presentation into a global spectacle. Across decades of geographical reinvention—from New York to Paris to Shanghai—and evolving eras of supermodels, one element has remained constant: the show’s undeniable power to deliver showstopping runway moments. The 1990s saw icons like Naomi Campbell and Gisele Bündchen elevate lingerie to high fashion, laying the groundwork for the spectacle. Once Tyra Banks wore the first Angel wings in 1998, the runway became the ultimate stage for fantasy, defined by glittering corsets, sculptural wings, and the legendary jewel-encrusted Fantasy Bra. With the brand making a diverse and inclusive comeback, and with designer Adam Selman preparing for his debut as Creative Director, we look back at the looks that defined the runway, spanning the reign of the original Angels to today’s social-media supermodels.
The Golden Age: ’90s Sophistication And The First Wings
The inaugural years of the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show, primarily held at the Plaza Hotel, established a look rooted in sensual sophistication before the era of maximalist wings fully took flight. This period defined the brand’s aesthetic codes: elegance, sheer fabrics, and the rise of the original supermodel Angels.
- Early Sensuality (1995): At the first show, Veronica Webb captured the brand’s initial vision of sensual sophistication in a simple, sheer black slipdress finished with delicate lace. This look highlighted the lingerie’s function as refined eveningwear. The runway also established the brand’s enduring color palette: soft pink satin contrasted with sultry black lace, a combination epitomized by a very ’90s matching set worn by Angelika Kallio.
- The Debut of Drama (1996–1997): The second show marked Naomi Campbell’s debut, who set the tone for the runway’s evolving drama in a rose-adorned corset and a floor-sweeping black robe. In the following years, Campbell delivered one of the most memorable ’90s moments with a vampy, dark romantic ensemble crafted from sheer black fabric. Stephanie Seymour also established a high-fashion fantasy with her sweeping white tulle “bride” look, complete with a matching veil.
- The First Angels (1998–1999): The runway crossed a major threshold in 1998 when Tyra Banks debuted the very first pair of Victoria’s Secret Angel wings. Tyra’s all-white look embodied the decade’s minimalism while setting the stage for the runway’s signature fantasy element. By 1999, models like Karen Mulder showcased early, plush feathered wings, while Gisele Bündchen (one year before becoming an official Angel) walked in an ethereal slip, marking the beginning of the supermodel’s long reign.
The Y2k Era: Glamour, Opulence, And Global Stages
With the show’s television debut in 2001, the spectacle reached new heights. The aesthetics shifted towards opulence, smaller silhouettes, and increasingly elaborate costume elements, reflecting the maximalist spirit of the new millennium.
- The Cannes Opulence (2000): The show’s first move outside New York, to the glamorous Cannes Film Festival, set the tone for a period of luxury. Adriana Lima debuted as a newly appointed Angel in an ornate, sparkling gold body chain, cementing her place in the brand’s elite. Even more memorably, Gisele Bündchen unveiled the first-ever set of gold-dipped wings in a lacquered look that officially ushered in an era of pure runway opulence.
- Low-Rise and LED (2001–2005): The early 2000s marked the reign of Alessandra Ambrosio and Adriana Lima. Lingerie reflected the era with its signature itty-bitty silhouettes and low-rise styles. By 2005, the runway embraced technology: Heidi Klum literally lit up the catwalk in an LED lingerie set, complete with light-up wings, showcasing the brand’s commitment to pushing the spectacle’s limits. Another signature Y2K aesthetic was established when Ana Beatriz Barros walked in a memorable hot-pink look, cementing the color as a signature following the 2002 launch of the Pink label.
- Iconic Moments and Duos (2002–2008): The famous Angel wings got a devilish, darker twist in 2002 with a feathered red and black set modeled by Naomi Campbell. The era was also defined by the powerful Angels finale walk—a classic lineup in 2003 featured Karolina Kurkova, Tyra Banks, Heidi Klum, Gisele Bündchen, and Adriana Lima. Later, Selita Ebanks delivered one of her most memorable looks in Miami in 2008, a true reflection of the brand’s late-2000s aesthetic peak.
Pop Culture Takeover And The Social Media Generation
The final phase of the show blended high-fashion model power with cultural zeitgeist, featuring musical performers and the emergence of the social media-driven supermodel generation, making the show’s moments instantly viral.
- The Performer’s Walk (2012–2014): Musical performers began to hold their own on the runway. In 2012, Rihanna’s walk down the runway was every bit as iconic as the Angels she shared the stage with. The 2014 show in London featured the ultimate pop-culture moment when performer Taylor Swift walked hand-in-hand with her then-bestie Karlie Kloss in coordinating black lace, blurring the line between model and musician.
- The New Generation (2015–2016): The show fully entered the social-media age with the debut of the new “buzzed-about” models. Gigi Hadid fluttered onto the catwalk in 2015 in a cascading butterfly-inspired look. The 2016 show in Paris’s Grand Palais delivered internet immortality when Bella Hadid walked past her ex, The Weeknd, who was the musical performer—an instantly iconic, meme-worthy moment. Also at the Paris show, Kendall Jenner turned heads in a vibrant blue-and-red-winged ensemble.
- The Comeback and Inclusivity (2024): After a six-year hiatus, the show returned in Brooklyn with a new mandate. Addressing past criticisms, the 2024 show notably added more size-inclusive models, including the trailblazing curve model Ashley Graham, who finally made her debut. The show proved that the signature Angel wings are still a core visual, with Gigi Hadid modeling an updated version, confirming the fantasy lives on—but with a new, diverse cast.
