Victoria's Secret Fashion Show Makes History with Transgender Models

The Victoria's Secret Fashion Show is back! On Tuesday, it took place in Brooklyn, New York, and for the first time, transgender models were part of the show. This is a big change for the brand, which has faced criticism for not being diverse enough in the past.

The fashion show has been around for a long time. It first started in 1995 and became famous for its glamorous style. 

Each year, it showcased beautiful models in fancy lingerie, popular singers, and many celebrity guests. However, in November 2019, the show was put on hold. The ratings were dropping, and many people felt it didn’t represent all women.

[Tyra Banks concluded the Victoria's Secret Fashion Show.Taylor Hill / WireImage]

To change things, Victoria's Secret decided to do something different. In 2021, they announced that they would stop using their famous supermodel "Angels." Instead, they invited women who have achieved amazing things outside of modeling. The new lineup included talented figures like soccer star Megan Rapinoe and actress Priyanka Chopra, along with transgender model Valentina Sampaio.

[Ashley Graham's appearance as a plus-sized model was seen as a token gesture of body diversity by some. Getty Images]

Many people thought the show would never come back. But on Tuesday, it returned with excitement! The runway featured both new and veteran models like Kate Moss, Adriana Lima, and Tyra Banks. These models walked the runway, bringing a mix of fresh talent and familiar faces.

This year’s show wanted to be more inclusive. Transgender models like Alex Consani and Valentina Sampaio walked the runway. Emira D'Spain, another transgender model, even sat in the front row, showing the brand's commitment to diversity. A representative for Victoria's Secret said that the show would give fans what they wanted—glamour and fun, but in a modern way.

[Alex ConsaniKevin Mazur / Getty Images for Victoria's Secret]

The fashion show used to attract millions of viewers and big-name performers like Rihanna and Taylor Swift. But recently, ratings dropped. After the 2018 show, only three million people watched it on TV. That was a big drop from nine million viewers just four years earlier.

In response to past criticisms, Victoria's Secret promised to celebrate all women. The company has changed a lot, and its chief design officer, Janie Schaffer, highlighted this progress, saying they have moved forward as a business in the past few years.

The runway had models from many backgrounds. This year, there were 50 models from 25 countries. However, some people felt that the runway still had many thin models, which reminded them of old beauty standards.

[Gigi Hadid, Bella Hadid and Vittoria Ceretti during the finale of the Victoria's Secret Fashion Show.Dimitrios Kambouris / Getty Images for Victoria's Secret]

One special moment was when Kate Moss, now 50, walked the runway in a beautiful black lace dress with angel wings. Her daughter, Lila, also walked beside her. The show featured exciting musical performances from Cher, Tyla, and Lisa from Blackpink, making the event even more memorable.

Gigi and Bella Hadid showed off several looks, including matching red lingerie. Fans were excited to see favorites like Barbara Palvin and Candice Swanepoel walk again. Former "America's Next Top Model" host Tyra Banks made her return to the runway after a long break.

Despite all the excitement, people had mixed feelings about the show. Some viewers thought it didn’t have the same energy as in the past. Critics noted that even though there were attempts at diversity, many models still fit the old beauty standards.

Overall, the return of the Victoria's Secret Fashion Show is a big moment in fashion history. It shows how the brand is trying to change and connect with more people. While there’s still more to do, this year’s show is a step toward a more inclusive future in fashion.