Victoria’s Secret’s 2026 show did not abandon its glossy fantasy; it broadened it. Held at Sony Pictures Studios in Los Angeles on October 18, the show turned the runway into a conversation about visibility, recovery and unrealistic standards.
What Changed in 2026
About 80 models walked, including plus-size names such as Ashley Graham, Paloma Elsesser, Precious Lee and Yumi Nu. That matters because the brand was long associated with an extremely narrow body ideal. The revived show has gradually added plus-size and transgender models, and Bloomberg noted it featured more body diversity than the original run.
Critics say the shift remains limited. Allure calculated that fewer than 10% of the 2026 cast could be considered curvy or plus-size.
Barbara Palvin’s Comeback
Palvin walked twice just six weeks after giving birth to her daughter, Sylvie, with husband Dylan Sprouse. She called being cast while postpartum “empowering” and said the brand was supporting women. Elsa Hosk and Jasmine Tookes also returned after recent births.
The response was divided. Many viewers praised her strength. Others argued that a polished, high-fashion return so soon after delivery risks turning postpartum recovery into another performance standard. Palvin herself pushed back against the “bounce back” framing, saying, “I’m still healing”, and noting that every woman’s recovery is different.
The Problem With ‘Bouncing Back’
The controversy is less about Palvin’s personal choice than the message it can send. Medical experts cited by WWD stressed that postpartum recovery is both physical and emotional. It involves healing, hormonal shifts, sleep deprivation and a major change in daily life.
Dr Kathleen Green told WWD that pregnancy takes about nine months, so recovery may reasonably take at least that long, and sometimes longer. Palvin’s return can be celebrated as her own milestone without becoming a benchmark for ordinary mothers, especially where paid maternity leave is limited.
Inclusion or Rebranding?
The casting suggests Victoria’s Secret wants to keep its spectacle while answering years of criticism over exclusivity. Yet its core visual language is still highly produced, with sculpted bodies, elaborate lingerie, celebrity spectacle and a polished version of femininity. Some commentators argued that a more radical shift would be showing postpartum bodies as they actually are, not only a camera-ready version.
Why It Matters
The 2026 show changed the narrative in three ways:
- It made plus-size models part of the main runway cast.
- It put recent motherhood on the runway through Palvin, Hosk and Tookes.
- It forced a public debate on whether visibility equals empowerment when expectations around women’s bodies remain demanding.
The result is a more complicated Victoria’s Secret. It is more inclusive on the surface, but still deciding how far it will move beyond the fantasy that made it famous.
Discover More Entertainment Stories With Bangla Pulse
What did Pori Moni wear for her Goddess Durga-inspired look?
She wore a white sari with a red border, an ornate crown and a floral garland, and held a lotus flower in a video shared on Facebook. Read more about Pori Moni’s Durga-inspired festive look.
Which concert did Mehazabien Chowdhury attend in Bangkok?
She attended The Weeknd’s After Hours Til Dawn Tour show at Rajamangala National Stadium with her husband, producer Adnan Al Rajeeb. Read about Mehazabien’s Bangkok concert trip.
What did Aishwarya Rai Bachchan wear at L’Oréal Paris Le Défilé 2026?
She wore an all-black velvet couture outfit with a crystal-embellished cape and a tiara, and debuted burgundy-red hair. Read more about Aishwarya Rai’s Paris Fashion Week look.
Did Tangia Zaman Methila make history at Miss Universe?
Yes. She became the first Bangladeshi to reach the Top 30 at the 74th Miss Universe pageant in Bangkok. Read about Methila’s Miss Universe Top 30 result.
Will Jaya Ahsan attend the London Fashion Film Festival 2026?
No. The film was selected for the 13th London Fashion Film Festival, but her shooting schedule clashes with the festival dates. Find out more about the LFFF 2026 selection.
