The Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show is officially underway.
Gigi Hadid and Barbara Palvin were among the models undergoing hair and makeup backstage as they prepared to hit the runway.
The fashion show was canceled in 2019 after dealing with bad ratings and a whole slew of wild controversies, and has since made an effort to become more inclusive.
Now, following a five year hiatus, the models are back and gearing up to showcase the latest range of lingerie being offered by the brand.
Gigi, 29, wore the brand’s iconic pink stripe robe and bra as she underwent hair and makeup backstage.
Gigi Hadid and Barbara Palvin were among the models undergoing hair and makeup as they prepared to hit the runway
The catwalk queen, who has walked the VS runway before, was in high spirits as her glam squad applied makeup to her face and touched up her hair.
Meanwhile, Barbara sat in hair and makeup clad in a bra and robe. Her tresses were clipped back as she prepared for her glam routine.
Other familiar faces included Adriana Lima and Candice Swanepoel.
Adriana, who has walked numerous VS runways, sat backstage with her hair slicked back into a sleek ponytail.
Candice, another VS runway vet, sat still for her glam team as they got to work on her hair. She donned a plush black robe.
Irina Shayk also was among the big names preparing for the spotlight.
She freshened up with a face mask as a hairstylist worked on her glossy waves.
Joan Smalls managed to squeeze in a bit of socializing as she prepared for her moment in the spotlight.
The model embraced Gigi as her hairstylists prepped her tresses.
She wore a custom robe from Victoria’s Secret as she sat in hair and makeup
Barbara, sporting a pink robe and bra, was also among the many models prepping for the spotlight
Her hair was clipped back
A full glam team helped Gigi prepare for the spotlight
Hadid stayed occupied on her phone as her team combed through her hair
Adriana Lima was also seen backstage
VS vet Candice Swanepoel sat still for her hairdressers
Irina Shayk scrolled through her phone as she prepped with a face mask
Shayk donned her custom ‘Irina’ robe
Gigi embraced Joan Smalls
Alessandra Ambrosio’s makeup appeared complete as her hairstylist applied the finishing touches to her sleek locks
Valentina Sampaio, who was hired as Victoria’s Secret first transgender model in 2019, was also among those getting the hair and makeup treatment.
She got her skin rejuvenated with two eye masks as her hair was prepped.
Alessandra Ambrosio and Ashley Graham were also seen undergoing hair and makeup.
The brand dropped video of the models prepping backstage, which concluded with a shot of Gigi saying, ‘See you on the runway.’
‘Hair and makeup is happening, people! And the models can’t wait to see you on the runway in full glam,’ the post read.
Based on the iconic pink robes the women were wearing backstage, it appears the brand is making a return to it’s very glamorous roots.
While the runway show has not occurred in five years, last year the company did release Victoria’s Secret ‘The Tour’, a ‘reimagined’ feature-length, behind-the-scenes show that focused on ’emerging global trailblazers’ rather than strictly lingerie-clad vixens.
Ashley Graham was also prepping backstage
Graham seen before undergoing her makeup transformation
Doutzen Kroes was still in her regular wear before her transformation
Model Valentina Sampaio was among those prepping for the show
Sampaio, who was hired as Victoria’s Secret first transgender model in 2019, got her hair and skin prepped for the show
Valentina wowed with her look nearly complete
Paloma Elsesser, Barbara, and Jasmine Tookes donned the brand’s familiar pink striped robe
This year marks the return of the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show following a five year hiatus, after the brand was plunged in controversy.
Among the names set to return to the runway is Tyra Banks, who is set to walk the catwalk for the first time in five years.
Cher and Tyla will be this year’s musical guests.
The show was once a star-studded, glamorous affair that began back in 1995 and featured a who’s who of the modeling world, including Tyra Banks, Heidi Klum, Gisele Bundchen, and more.
It even featured musical performances from the likes of Taylor Swift, Ariana Grande, and The Weeknd.
But the company cancelled the show and dropped the Victoria’s Secret Angel title in 2019 amid criticism the brand did not include models of all shapes and backgrounds.
Alessandra prepping for the spotlight
A makeup artist applied cosmetics to Blesnya Minher
Ambrosio struck a jubliant pose for the camera
Jasmine Tookes, Paloma, Palvin, and Graham smiled with glee
A damning 2020 article in The New York Times included allegations of misogyny, bullying and harassment by former Chief Marketing Officer Ed Razek.
It also listed concerns about L Brands Chief Executive Leslie Wexner’s long friendship with convicted felon Jeffrey Epstein prior to his death in jail.
Epstein was awaiting trial on charging of sex trafficking minors at the time of his death.
The 2022 Hulu documentary, Victoria’s Secret: Angels and Demons, continued to focus the microscope on the lingerie brand’s corporate culture.
The three-part series included claims of body shaming, misogyny, and discomfort that the PINK line, which was aimed at tweens and teenagers, made girls feel bad about themselves.
Victoria’s Secret was separated from the parent company in 2021.
The show was once a star-studded, glamorous affair that began back in 1995 and featured a who’s who of the modeling world, including Tyra Banks, Heidi Klum, Gisele Bundchen, and more
It is now looking to regain its reputation and its hold on its corner of the lucrative intimates market.
They now feature models of all backgrounds and sizes — similarly to trailblazer Rihanna’s Savage X Fenty campaigns and show.
