The Return of Angels: Victoria’s Secret Show and the New Era of Beauty Standards

The fashion world seems to be retracing its old steps, bringing back what many believed was a bygone era — the era of "angels" and standardized bodies. Let’s take a step back: the Victoria’s Secret show, once thought to be finished, has made its comeback, with its star models returning to the runway. Among them were icons like Irina Shayk, Taylor Hill, the newly slimmed-down Adriana Lima, the radiant Candice Swanepoel, the legendary Kate Moss, and the Hadid sisters. Representing the body positivity movement were models Paloma Elsesser and Ashley Graham.

This show felt like an attempt to revive the brand’s former glory, but the comeback wasn’t as dazzling as some had hoped. To me, it signals a shift: despite the effort to embrace body positivity, the era of "Barbie standards" — though now in a slightly softer form — is making a return. Let’s explore why this is happening.

Who Took the Spotlight?

The return of the Victoria’s Secret show made headlines, particularly due to the familiar faces gracing the runway.

• Irina Shayk was as stunning as ever, exuding the confidence and experience she has gained over her years in the industry.

• Taylor Hill, one of the newer "angels," represented glamour and grace in a fresh way.

• Adriana Lima, one of the longest-serving Victoria’s Secret "angels," returned with a slimmer figure, which sparked discussions on social media. Her weight loss was a reminder that the pressure to maintain "perfect" bodies is still strong.

• Candice Swanepoel and Kate Moss were also among the show’s stars, demonstrating that the cult of slimness still reigns in the fashion world.

The Hadid sisters, Gigi and Bella, embodied the next generation of supermodels, showcasing a more balanced and natural image of beauty, yet still conforming to the industry’s overall standards.

Body Positivity or a Return to Old Standards?

It was noteworthy that the show featured models representing the body positivity movement, such as Paloma Elsesserand Ashley Graham. This was an important addition, highlighting that even brands as "strict" as Victoria’s Secret can no longer ignore body diversity. Their presence helped make the show more inclusive and modern, but there was still a sense that these models were more of an accessory than a central part of the show.

Despite the steps many brands have taken towards diversity in recent years, the return of Victoria’s Secret angels and the focus on "perfect" bodies suggest that old beauty standards are regaining power. Yes, they are not as rigid as before, thanks to the inclusion of body-positive models and a shift toward more flexible ideals of beauty. However, the influence of "ideal" body standards — especially with the rise in popularity of weight-loss drugs like Ozempic — is once again being felt in the fashion industry.

Ozempic and the New Wave of Thinness

The drug Ozempic has become the new "secret" for many models and celebrities. Originally developed for treating diabetes, it has been used for weight loss, and its impact on the fashion industry is already noticeable. Even though models may not openly discuss it, the push for quick and "perfect" results is still very much alive.

Thin waists and slim figures are once again dominating the runways, though now it’s happening in a less aggressive form than 10-15 years ago. A "healthy" thinness is now in the spotlight, where the rules are not as strict, but the pressure to conform to a "norm" is still there.

The Future of Beauty: Which Standard Will Prevail?

The return of the Victoria’s Secret show, featuring models with "ideal" bodies and also including a more diverse range of body types, shows that the fashion world is balancing between the old and the new. On one side, we have the ultra-thin standards, fueled by the popularity of Ozempic, and on the other, body positivity, which continues to fight for its place in the industry.

What does this mean for the future of beauty? It’s possible that fashion will move towards a more inclusive balance, where different body shapes and sizes can coexist, but the old "ideal" standards will likely never fully disappear.

The Victoria’s Secret 2024 show revealed that beauty standards are evolving, but they are still narrowly defined. The real question is, which direction will the pendulum swing in the coming years?

So, what’s your take on the return of Victoria’s Secret? Can the fashion industry strike a balance between beauty standards and inclusivity?