WINGS WERE MEANT TO FLY! Victoria’s Secret is DONE apologising for being SEXY and reclaims its fantasy
Victoria’s Secret divine return to form serves its critics a heavenly reminder of who’s on top
From the dirt blooms the flower and Victoria’s Secret is in full bloom.
After years of having its name dragged through the mud, the lingerie giant isn’t just turning over a new leaf, it’s cutting away the deadwood, setting fire to the past and blossoming more boldly than ever from the very soil that tried to bury it.
And the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show 2026 - held at Sony Pictures Studios in Culver City, Los Angeles, on Sunday (18.10.26) - was living proof that when you stop pruning yourself to please the haters, there is no limit to how beautifully you can flourish.
For the Victoria’s Secret models, the sky was never the limit. They’re in a league of their own. Heaven sent, no less.
The Angels are a sinfully sweet reminder of what happens when you stop watering down your magic to satisfy those who were never going to appreciate a taste of Angel Delight in the first place.
They’re no longer asking for permission to be beautiful. They simply are.
To borrow a little Disney magic..."a dream is a wish your heart makes when you're fast asleep".
So who gave anyone the right to burst that bubble?
It may be called Victoria’s Secret, but everyone knows it was never in the business of selling reality. In fact, its entire empire was built on fantasy. And there’s absolutely nothing wrong with that.
Tapping into unspoken desires isn’t something to apologise for. Aspiration isn’t a crime, and sex appeal was never the enemy.
And what better way to remind the critics who's on top than by throwing open the pearly gates to a little slice of heaven?
Under the creative direction of Adam Selman, the show took audiences on a journey through the seasons, from the delicate blooms of spring and the sultry heat of summer to autumnal glamour and the icy elegance of winter, alongside a playful Victoria’s Secret PINK segment.
Leading us into the Garden of Eden was Bella Hadid, looking every inch the grown-up Tinker Bell.
The blonde beauty emerged in vibrant green lingerie and magnificent floral wings, a vision of delicate femininity serving herself up like forbidden fruit on a silver platter.
They say the devil comes disguised as an angel.
Well, drag me to hell in that case, because who wouldn’t be tempted to take a bite out of that?
But Bella was only the first taste of temptation.
What followed was a parade of hypnotic beauties, each tempting us to abandon our heavenly virtues and surrender to the seven deadly sins. Because with Angels like these, it’s hard not to be consumed by greed, lust and envy.
Elsa Hosk took the fantasy to celestial heights with a magnificent pair of oversized wings.
Candice Swanepoel commanded the runway with her trademark sensuality, while Jasmine Tookes brought a fierce, smouldering energy that was impossible to ignore.
Behati Prinsloo delivered that playful, untamed beauty that made her an Angel favourite, while Alessandra Ambrosio brought her signature bombshell glamour, proving that sex appeal has no expiry date.
And then there was Rosie Huntington-Whiteley, a rose among the thorns.
The British beauty made a triumphant return to the Victoria’s Secret runway after 16 years away, looking every inch the supermodel who first stole our hearts.
Time may have passed, but Rosie has lost none of her allure. Some women simply get better with age.
Kylie Jenner, meanwhile, brought a whole new meaning to heavenly riches.
Making her runway debut in a diamond encrusted Fantasy Bra reportedly worth $50 million, the beauty dazzled and she floated down the runway, with Timothée Chalamet and Kris Jenner proudly watching from the front row.
Whoever said money can't buy happiness clearly never tried on a $50 million bra. They say less is more, but clearly not when it comes to diamonds. They really are a girl’s best friend.
And the Angels weren't the only ones bringing the heat. The show featured an all-female musical lineup of Megan Moroney, KATSEYE, Megan Thee Stallion and Tate McRae.
Showing that blondes really do have more fun, country star Megan Moroney brought a little Southern charm to the spectacle, while KATSEYE injected youthful energy into the PINK runway. Megan Thee Stallion, meanwhile, delivered her trademark unapologetic confidence.
But can we please take a moment to talk about Tate McRae?
Because Tate is the moment.
The Canadian pop star scorched the runway in scarlet lingerie and matching wings, delivering a seductive performance of Housewife, Dear God and Sports Car.
She’s certainly not your average housewife.
Whoever said a woman's place was in the kitchen clearly didn't know what to do with her in the bedroom.
With her provocative choreography, confident strut and magnetic stage presence, Tate gave the angels a run for their money.
She's exactly who she thinks she is.
You can’t spell Tate without ATE, and she devoured. Leaving not a crumb in sight.
Gigi Hadid, meanwhile, looked like a cherub brought to life from a Renaissance painting, dressed in delicate white lingerie and fluffy wings. But don't let that angelic smile fool you, there's a devil lurking beneath that halo.
Barbara Palvin also had a particularly sweet moment, with husband Dylan Sprouse proudly cheering her on from the audience. Finally, a man secure enough in himself to know when to step aside and let his wife take centre stage.
And who better to close the gates of heaven than Adriana Lima?
The Brazilian beauty brought the evening to a graceful close, looking every inch the goddess who helped make Victoria’s Secret the stuff of dreams.
And as she placed her hands over her heart, there was something genuinely touching about seeing one of its most beloved Angels bring this little slice of heaven on earth to an end.
Until the pearly gates open again.
But beyond the diamonds, feathers and barely-there lingerie, the real beauty of the night was seeing Victoria's Secret so comfortable in its own skin.
You don't need to look like a Victoria’s Secret Angel to appreciate the magic. And you don't have to believe in heaven to enjoy a little taste of it. Not everything needs to be relatable. Some things are simply meant to be admired.
If that makes a people uncomfortable, perhaps they should remember that the runway was never intended to be a level playing field.
It was designed to make us dream. And if seeing a supermodel glide down the runway inspires someone to swap the McDonald's drive-through for a gym session, since when did motivation become oppression?
Perhaps the self-appointed guardians of acceptable beauty ideals should save some of their outrage for the fast-food giants who've spent decades selling us happiness in a supersized box.
Funny how Ronald McDonald gets to sell temptation by the bucket, yet it's the woman in the lace bra who's expected to apologise for someone's lack of self-discipline, gluttony and greed.
As for those still circling Victoria’s Secret catwalk like hungry hyenas, hoping to feast on scraps of attention their mother never gave them, just remember to stay in your lane. The Serengeti is that way.
Not everyone is cut out to be a supermodel. Not everyone can be an Angel. And nobody is entitled to a place on the runway just because they resent those who have earned theirs.
If someone else’s beauty bruises your fragile ego, use that jealousy to level up instead of demanding they lower themselves to your level.
Insecurity isn't sexy. Neither is envy.
You can't clip an Angel's wings so good luck bringing them back down to earth.
Victoria's Secret is flying higher than ever before.
