Victoria’s Secret is one of the most well-known and luxurious brands in women’s lingerie and loungewear. Its iconic fashion show once marked the drops and styles for the upcoming year, from 1995 through 2018.
Known for its big, bold and glamorous wings, the show took a hiatus in 2019 as the brand worked to reimagine its image. After five years, the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show made its highly anticipated return in 2024, refreshed and redefined to reflect the current cultural moment.
For the 2025 Fashion Show, the brand brought back all the sparkle and spectacle it’s known for, such as the iconic bombshell blowouts, glittery sets and dramatic wings while ushering in a new era of representation.
This year’s runway made history as the first to feature a professional athlete and an Olympian, marking a cultural shift for both the brand and the fashion industry.
Two trailblazing women in particular became Victoria’s Secret pioneers this year: WNBA All-Star Angel Reese and Gold Medal U.S. Olympian Sunisa “Suni” Lee. Both athletes graced the runway Oct. 15, bringing confidence, strength and star power to the show’s global stage.
Reese is a player for the WNBA team Chicago Sky and appeared in two looks, which featured the brand’s signature pink. Her first outfit included a pink floral lingerie set paired with a feathered pink boa.
The second look featured a structured asymmetrical top, a lace set and the signature VS Angel wings. Her presence embodied the fusion of athletic power and glamour, showcasing how women in sports continue to redefine beauty and confidence.
Lee, a Team USA and Olympic all-around champion, brought grace and presence to the stage. Wearing a sparkling pink PINK loungewear set with metallic heels and statement jewelry, she represented a balance of athleticism and elegance qualities that have made her one of the most admired athletes in the world.
Both women have roots in fashion beyond their athletic success. Reese served on the 2025 Met Gala Committee, helping to develop the event’s theme and making her mark on the red carpet earlier this year. Lee collaborated with the athletic brand GK Elite in 2021 to design her own line of leotards, blending performance with creativity and self-expression.
Their participation in the 2025 VS Fashion Show represents more than just appearances. It marks a defining moment for representation in both sports, fashion and diversity.
Once criticized for its narrow image of femininity, the brand is now expanding its definition of what it means to be a VS Angel by featuring athletes who embody strength, determination and empowerment. The company is acknowledging beauty is not just about what is on the outside, but also resilience, ambition and confidence.
The inclusion of Reese and Lee symbolizes progress for women everywhere, especially young girls who see themselves reflected on a stage once dominated by one body type and story. Their presence proves athleticism and femininity are not opposites, but powerful forces that can coexist and inspire.
As the models took their final walk on the NYC stage, the 2025 VS Fashion Show wasn’t just a return to tradition: it was a redefinition. The wings were still there, but this time, they represented more than glamour. They stood for women who have earned them through grit, grace and greatness.
