The iconic Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show is back, and not a moment too soon. After years of being sidelined by political correctness, misguided “body positivity” campaigns, and endless corporate self-flagellation, the lingerie extravaganza has finally returned to its original, unapologetic glory. And guess what? No one really wanted it to disappear in the first place.
In May, Victoria’s Secret triumphantly announced that their beloved Fashion Show would return, promising “everything you know and love—the glamour, runway, wings, musical entertainment, and more!” The announcement was a breath of fresh air for those tired of watching companies ruin themselves by trying to appease the woke mob.
While the show has expanded its “vision of beauty” slightly to include plus-sized models like Paloma Elesser and Ashley Graham, let’s be honest—it’s still all about the supermodels. The familiar faces from Victoria’s Secret’s heyday are back, with bombshells like Gigi Hadid, Barbara Palvin, Behati Prinsloo, Jasmine Tookes, Adriana Lima, and even Tyra Banks once again gracing the runway. And for good measure, they added former French First Lady Carla Bruni, proving that beauty truly has no age limit.
But let’s not kid ourselves: for all the talk of body positivity and inclusivity, the show is returning to what made it famous—beautiful women in lingerie. And despite the outrage from activists like Megan Rapinoe, who decried the brand as “patriarchal” and “sexist,” the truth is clear: people still appreciate feminine beauty. Men and women alike have always admired the female form, and no amount of lectures about “harm” or “empowerment” is going to change that.
Remember, this is the same Victoria’s Secret that was once criticized for its former Chief Marketing Officer Ed Razek’s 2018 comments about not including “transsexuals” in the show because it was a “fantasy.” While he later apologized under pressure from activists, it’s clear that viewers were drawn to the fantasy element of the show—and the brand suffered when they tried to abandon that formula.
Victoria’s Secret’s attempt to rebrand in 2021, with their so-called “VS Collective,” was nothing short of a disaster. They replaced the stunning models with a group of women who were supposed to be symbols of “female empowerment,” but instead turned the brand into a lecture on morality. The campaign, led by Rapinoe, trashed the company’s history, branding it as harmful and patriarchal. Yet, as they’ve now realized, most people don’t look to a lingerie company for moral guidance. Sometimes, a push-up bra is just a push-up bra.
Their experiment with woke culture didn’t last long. Last year, they tested the waters with a bizarre collection of film vignettes that no one asked for. It was neither sexy nor aspirational, and it certainly didn’t resonate with their audience. Now, they’re finally admitting what everyone already knew: their original formula worked for a reason.
As the culture wars rage on, Victoria’s Secret’s decision to bring back the iconic fashion show is a welcome reminder that not everything needs to be political. The embrace of pre-#MeToo sensuality didn’t disappear—it just moved to platforms like OnlyFans, Instagram, and even late-night TV with stars like Sydney Sweeney. Now, we can stop pretending that a lingerie brand needs to be a “moral arbiter” and instead appreciate it for what it is: a celebration of beauty and glamour.
In a world obsessed with cancel culture, it’s refreshing to see Victoria’s Secret return to its roots. The show’s revival proves one thing—sometimes, the old ways are still the best ways.