The Angels of Victoria's Secret have returned

The iconic Victoria's Secret fashion show is back after six years of absence. The legendary Cher headlined the show and sang her hits like 'Believe'.

The last Victoria's Secret show was in 2018. Then, a series of controversies caused the sales of the brand to drop. Now, with a new vision, the brand is seeking to regain its relevance in the industry.

Singer and actress Cher was the star of a show that marked a milestone in the brand's history. For the first time, the line-up consisted exclusively of women - both on stage and behind the scenes.

The Victoria's Secret fashion show has been held since 1995 and became a cultural and television phenomenon with beautiful women wearing wings, a grand stage display, and iconic musicians singing live.

Victoria's Secret's last televised show was held in 2018, and its cancellation in 2019 was due to what critics said were perpetuating uninclusive beauty standards. As Euronews reports, this strongly hurt the brand's image and sales.

The brand began a transformation plan to regain its fame among customers. Especially the younger buyers had been affected by accusations of misogyny and harassment in the workplace, newspaper El País reports.

In 2020, L Brands, the parent company of Victoria's Secret, closed 241 stores, leaving the brand with 848 locations in the United States and Canada. In 2021, it was split into two public units: Bath & Body Works and Victoria's Secret. Since then, the lingerie retailer's sales have continued to decline, according to CNN.

This year has been bad, too, with shares down nearly 30% on Wall Street in March. It was the biggest drop since it began trading in July 2021. The brand has also forecast a drop in annual sales for the third year in a row, attributing the decline to shoppers in its main market, North America, switching to cheaper options, BBC reports.

After years of re-evaluation and feedback from its clients, Victoria's Secret is evolving into a brand that promotes diversity and female empowerment. It tried to reflect those pursuits in its fashion show, Euronews reported.

Victoria's Secret's pitch is that it is not just a lingerie brand but a platform to celebrate women in all their forms. The 2024 show sought to demonstrate that fact by letting all kinds of artists and models, in all shapes and forms, participate in the show.

Cher's participation in the 2024 show is no coincidence. The 78-year-old singer has been an icon of empowerment, se*ual diversity, and fashion for decades, making her the perfect choice to lead this new stage of Victoria's Secret, according to ¡HOLA.

In addition to Cher, the catwalk featured iconic models such as Gigi Hadid, Tyra Banks, and Paloma Elsesser. They represented Victoria's Secret's new vision: inclusivity, diversity, and female power.

The show has featured some of the biggest names in music over the years, with artists such as Taylor Swift, Ariana Grande, The Weeknd, and Lady Gaga bringing rhythm to the catwalk.

What began as a fashion show for specialized media showing the new models of the firm founded in 1977, ended up becoming an eagerly awaited event that year after year brought together some of the most beautiful women on the catwalks. The Victoria's Secret Fashion Show was the big end-of-year event, many fashion media agreed.

Seductive tunics, cardigans, and matching bags, or the 'Fantasy b r a,' a luxury piece that combined a unique design with diamonds and crystals that could raise its price to millions of dollars, increased the fame of the brand.

The return of the Victoria's Secret fashion show in 2024 is just the beginning. The brand has promised to continue to evolve and adapt, seeking to maintain its relevance in a fashion industry that constantly demands change and innovation. It remains to be seen if the October 15 show did the job and saves the brand.