Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show return: What to expect

After a four-year hiatus, the wings, walks and women of the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show will return Tuesday for the company’s 2024 show in New York City. 

Victoria’s Secret pulled the plug on the show in 2019 after it faced poor ratings and the brand itself was embroiled in some controversy. Last year, it launched a revamped, partially revived filmed version of a show for Prime Video.

The show returns as the body positivity movement — a belief system of self-acceptance regardless of body type — is at a crossroads. Many curvy figures have spent their careers advocating for more size-inclusive clothing. But as more people embrace the new class of wildly popular weight loss drugs, some plus-size models have said the fashion industry has once again regressed.

Here’s what to know.

What were Victoria’s Secret’s past controversies?

The lingerie brand was the subject of a 2020 New York Times investigation that detailed allegations of a culture of misogyny at the company. A spokesperson for L Brands, the former parent company of Victoria’s Secret, told the newspaper at the time that it was “‘intensely focused’ on corporate governance, workplace and compliance practices and that it had ‘made significant strides.’”

Victoria’s Secret has also faced criticism for its lack of inclusivity. In November 2018, Ed Razek, then the chief marketing officer for L Brands, came under fire for saying he did not think the brand should include “transsexuals” in its runway show.

The company split from L Brands in 2021 and since made efforts to revamp its approach and become relevant to women again. It overhauled its image and incorporated more diverse, body-positive models in its campaigns.

What’s different about this year’s show?

In its May announcement, Victoria’s Secret said it wants to have a show that reflects “who we are today.”

“We’ve read the comments and heard you,” it wrote in an Instagram post announcing the show this year. “The Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show is BACK and will reflect who we are today, plus everything you know and love—the glamour, runway, wings, musical entertainment, and more! Stay tuned…it only gets more iconic from here.”