In a bold move that married nostalgia to a shifting fashion industry, Victoria’s Secret decided to bring back old faces to their 2024 fashion show on October 15. Among these retired models were Kate Moss, Adriana Lima and Tyra Banks. The models were one of the attempts made to generate attention for the show amidst Victoria’s Secret’s rebranding. However, the introduction of plus-size models in recent years has been critiqued heavily. The show was an incredible example of honoring the brand’s past while responding to this criticism by standing firm in their diversity decision.
The fashion industry as a whole has been pushed by groups of fashionistas advocating for a more diverse catwalk. To become one of the more responsive brands, Victoria’s Secret proposed the addition of plus-size models to their shows. Some fans and critics were confused seeing Moss (who is not plus-size) walk, claiming that it took away from the push for body positivity, while others appreciated the nod to the brand’s history through bringing back some of its most iconic faces.
Retired models that walked the 2024 runway — who once epitomized the glamor of Victoria’s Secret — conveyed a powerful message about aging and timeless beauty. The show featured retired modeling legends Kate Moss, Adriana Lima and Tyra Banks, who appealed to Victoria’s Secret nostalgia, while still showcasing current stars like Gigi and Bella Hadid. They also showcased a Victoria’s Secret first-timer that has been brought to substantial fame on social media in recent years: Alex Consani.
Another newcomer, who has followed in her iconic mother’s footsteps, was Lila Moss. This mother-daughter dynamic was a large part of the behind-the-scenes promotional material used to generate talk about the show that Victoria’s Secret released.
In 2019, the brand announced plus-size models would begin to walk the runway. Critics advised that they stick to what they were widely known for, the slim figure. After the negative backlash against their progress toward a body positive catwalk, they have been sure to include plus-size models that still fit every standard of the Victoria’s Secret Angel guidelines not pertaining to weight. Two models in the plus-size category from the 2024 show were Ashley Graham and Paloma Elsesser. However, fans have argued that the industry is not entitled to inclusivity; that the thinner look of Victoria’s Secret is a model’s job — and to be respected as one. One critique is that including plus-size models might take away from the mystique and unattainability that the brand has boasted for many years.
Whether or not you support a weight-diverse catwalk, it is clear the 2024 show should be used as an example for fashion marketing in the future. Having retired models walk on the runway might take away from the rebranding Victoria’s Secret so desperately attempted, but can alleviate some of the controversy surrounding the rebrand. The 2024 Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show nodded to the brand’s history while looking to its future, generating a discussion about the potential pros and cons of the “old” Victoria’s Secret and the new, while adding allure to the show within the industry.
