Los Angeles: The Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show returned to the runway on October 18, bringing together some of the fashion industry’s most recognisable names for an evening of elaborate wings, dazzling lingerie and celebrity appearances. Gigi Hadid made a sparkling runway appearance, Kylie Jenner marked her debut in the show’s iconic Fantasy Bra, and Barbara Palvin returned to modelling just six weeks after giving birth to her first child.
Held at Sony Pictures Studios in Culver City, California, the 2026 edition revived the theatrical spectacle associated with the lingerie brand. The event featured a musical line-up led entirely by women, elaborate runway designs and a collection organised around the seasons, with looks inspired by spring, summer and autumn, alongside two interpretations of winter. A dedicated segment also showcased the brand’s PINK line.
The show marked Victoria’s Secret’s return to Los Angeles after the previous two editions were held in New York. Alongside familiar Angels and established runway models, Indian model Ravleen Varghese made her debut at the event, adding another name to the international line-up.
Gigi Hadid returns in sparkling wings
Gigi Hadid was among the evening’s standout models, wearing an eye-catching ensemble that combined metallic details, sequins and bold colours. Her look featured dip-dye metallic wings decorated with sequin discs, a sheer sequin cape and a neon pink-and-blue lingerie set.
Metallic heels and oversized neon pink hoop earrings completed the ensemble, bringing together the dramatic styling that has long been associated with the Victoria’s Secret runway.
Hadid walked alongside singer Tate McRae, who performed her song Housewife during the presentation. The performance added a musical element to the model’s appearance, combining runway fashion with live entertainment.
The model also appeared in a second look featuring a white lace corset paired with matching boyshorts and a diamond body chain. The contrasting outfits showcased two different interpretations of the show’s signature aesthetic, from brightly coloured statement pieces to more understated lingerie styling.
Hadid has become a familiar face at the revived Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show, having also walked at the 2025 edition in New York.
Her sister, Bella Hadid, opened the 2026 presentation in an embellished floral bra and matching wings. Her appearance set the tone for the evening, which combined established runway names with celebrity debuts and elaborate fashion designs.
Kylie Jenner makes her debut in the $50 million Fantasy Bra
One of the most talked-about moments of the show was Kylie Jenner’s first appearance on the Victoria’s Secret runway. The beauty entrepreneur wore the brand’s celebrated Fantasy Bra, which returned to the fashion show after an eight-year hiatus.
Created in collaboration with jeweller Jacob & Co., the piece was valued at $50 million, approximately Rs 474 crore. According to the details cited by Vogue, it featured 4,410 natural diamonds surrounding a 75.54-carat radiant-cut Fancy Vivid yellow diamond.
The creation reportedly required more than 1,000 hours of work by 15 craftspeople. Weighing just under four pounds, the elaborate design brought together high jewellery and the technical considerations involved in creating a wearable piece for a runway presentation.
Jenner paired the diamond-encrusted bra with a gauzy mini skirt, clear heels and white feathered wings. The combination gave the look a dramatic finish while placing the Fantasy Bra at the centre of the presentation.
The appearance also brought a major celebrity personality into one of Victoria’s Secret’s most recognisable fashion traditions. While the show has historically centred on established runway models, Jenner’s debut added a pop-culture dimension to the event.
Her boyfriend, actor Timothée Chalamet, was among the audience members supporting her during the show.
The Fantasy Bra’s return was another significant feature of the 2026 edition. The piece has historically served as a centrepiece of the brand’s runway spectacle, combining precious stones with elaborate design and craftsmanship. Its reappearance after eight years gave the event an additional element of anticipation.
Barbara Palvin returns six weeks after childbirth
Hungarian model Barbara Palvin was another major talking point after returning to the Victoria’s Secret runway just six weeks after welcoming her first child, daughter Sylvie, with husband Dylan Sprouse.
Palvin appeared in a pale pink, sheer lingerie-inspired ensemble with lace detailing and gold hoop earrings as singer Megan Moroney performed.
The appearance marked a new chapter in the model’s professional life following the birth of her daughter. Palvin has a long association with Victoria’s Secret and officially became one of its Angels in 2019.
Speaking to People ahead of the show, Palvin described the early days of motherhood as a roller coaster while discussing her return to work. She also spoke about feeling empowered by the brand’s decision to include her in the presentation so soon after giving birth.
Her appearance added a personal dimension to an event largely defined by dramatic styling, celebrity appearances and the spectacle of the runway.
Palvin’s return also brought attention to the different experiences models navigate as they balance professional commitments and major life changes. Her participation was a notable moment in a show that brought together models at different stages of their careers.
Victoria’s Secret Angels reunite on the runway
The 2026 presentation also featured several established names associated with the brand. Adriana Lima, Alessandra Ambrosio, Candice Swanepoel, Joan Smalls, Irina Shayk and Jasmine Tookes were among the models who appeared alongside Hadid and Palvin.
Lima, one of Victoria’s Secret’s longest-serving Angels, closed the show. Her appearance provided a familiar finale for audiences who associate the brand with its established runway stars and elaborate closing looks.
Ambrosio also marked a milestone, making her 20th appearance at a Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show, according to Brazilian publication Folha de S.Paulo.
The presence of these models reflected the brand’s continued reliance on familiar faces while introducing new personalities to its runway. Their appearances also connected the latest edition with the show’s history, during which its Angels became central to its global fashion identity.
The combination of returning models and fresh faces gave the presentation a balance between nostalgia and reinvention. The show’s seasonal themes, elaborate wings and musical performances further reinforced its emphasis on entertainment alongside lingerie fashion.
Indian model Ravleen Varghese makes runway debut
Indian model Ravleen Varghese also made her Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show debut in Los Angeles, according to a report by India Today.
Her appearance added Indian representation to the international line-up and marked a career milestone for the model. The show attracts attention from fashion audiences around the world, making participation an important opportunity for models seeking visibility on a major global runway.
Varghese’s debut came alongside appearances by established international names, including Hadid, Lima, Ambrosio and Palvin. The diverse line-up reflected the event’s mix of experienced runway professionals and models making their first appearances at the show.
Her participation was among the additional highlights of an evening dominated by the return of the Fantasy Bra, celebrity appearances and elaborate runway styling.
A return to Los Angeles with a mix of spectacle and celebrity
The 2026 Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show brought together several elements that have shaped the event’s identity: dramatic wings, elaborate lingerie, established Angels, celebrity appearances and live musical performances.
Hadid’s sparkling runway looks, Jenner’s Fantasy Bra debut and Palvin’s return after childbirth emerged as three of the evening’s most notable moments. The appearances of veteran models such as Lima and Ambrosio, alongside Varghese’s debut, broadened the line-up.
The decision to organise the presentation around the seasons also gave the show a clear visual structure, while the dedicated PINK segment provided space for another part of the brand’s fashion offering.
With its return to Los Angeles after two New York editions, the show once again brought together fashion, entertainment and celebrity culture on an international stage. The 2026 presentation demonstrated how Victoria’s Secret continues to draw on its established runway traditions while incorporating new personalities and contemporary fashion narratives.