Gigi Hadid and the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show. Honestly, at this point, you can’t really think of one without the other. It’s like Peanut Butter and Jelly, but with more glitter and significantly higher heels. When the glittery dust settled on the 2024 and 2025 runways, one thing was clear: Gigi isn't just a model for the brand anymore. She’s basically the glue holding the "new" era together.
But it wasn't always just wings and air kisses.
If you look back to her debut in 2015, the vibe was totally different. People were actually mean. Like, internet-troll mean. She’s recently opened up about how the world was "so hard on her" back then, and it’s kinda heartbreaking to see a 30-year-old superstar tear up over how she was treated as a teenager just trying to book a job. She tried out two or three times before she even got the gig. Can you imagine? One of the most famous faces on the planet getting rejected? It happens.
The Gigi Hadid VS Fashion Show Evolution: From Rookie to Icon
In the early days, Gigi was the "commercial" girl. She had the "boobs, abs, and butt" (her words, not mine) that high fashion allegedly didn't want at the time. She actually had to write a whole Instagram manifesto in 2015 defending her body type.
Fast forward to the 2024 return in Brooklyn. The stakes were sky-high. Victoria's Secret had been on a six-year hiatus after the brand basically imploded under the weight of its own lack of diversity and some pretty messy corporate scandals. They needed a win. They needed Gigi.
The 2024 Comeback
She opened the show. That’s a big deal. She stepped out in this silky pink playsuit with these massive, feathered wings that looked like they belonged in a Renaissance painting. The music? A remix of INXS’s "Never Tear Us Apart." It felt heavy, nostalgic, and maybe a little bit like a plea for forgiveness from a brand that had lost its way.
The 2025 "Golden Era" Reboot
If 2024 was the apology, 2025 was the party. This time, Gigi shared the stage with her sister Bella—who made a massive comeback after her battle with Lyme disease—and the energy was just... different. Gigi rocked two distinct looks:
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- The Barbie-Pink Petal Cape: A two-piece set featuring a bedazzled bustier and, surprisingly, lace boy shorts. Honestly, seeing boy shorts on that runway felt like a glitch in the matrix, but Gigi made them look like the chicest thing ever.
- The Ethereal White Angel: Later, she came out in a white corset and pleated skirt with giant, quilted white wings. It was classic VS. Pure, unadulterated glamour.
Why Gigi Matters More Than the Wings
What most people get wrong about the Gigi Hadid VS fashion show connection is thinking it’s just about the clothes. It’s about the "supermodel" as a brand. In 2025, Victoria's Secret realized that they couldn't just sell bras; they had to sell the personalities.
Gigi brings a weirdly relatable "big sister" energy to a show that used to feel very "you can't sit with us." Backstage in 2024, she was joking about how Taylor Swift taught her a specific runway move from the Eras Tour. That kind of behind-the-scenes crumbs is what keeps the show alive on TikTok and Instagram Discover.
The Realities of the Runway
It’s not all effortless. Bella Hadid actually revealed that her wings in the 2025 show weighed 50 pounds. $50$ pounds! Gigi has also spoken about how the wings are the literal opposite of aerodynamic. You’re basically dragging a small piece of furniture behind you while trying to look sexy and not trip over a hidden wire.
The Controversy That Almost Cost Her Everything
We can't talk about Gigi and this show without mentioning the 2017 Shanghai debacle. You might remember she was meant to walk, but then a video surfaced of her "squinting" while holding a Buddha cookie. The backlash in China was swift and brutal. She ended up missing the show because she couldn't get a visa.
It was a huge blow. For a second there, people wondered if her "Angel" days were numbered. But she apologized, did the work, and by 2018, she was back in New York, proving that in the world of fashion, a comeback is always one runway walk away.
The Cultural Impact: Is the Show Actually "Back"?
Honestly? It's complicated. The 2024 show got some flak for being "underwhelming" or "too late to the party" with its inclusivity efforts. Critics felt the production was a bit cheap compared to the multimillion-dollar spectacles of the mid-2000s.
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But 2025 felt like they found their footing. By mixing "Legacy Angels" like Adriana Lima and Tyra Banks with the "Social Supermodels" like Gigi and Bella, and then adding diverse voices like Alex Consani and Paloma Elsesser, they finally created something that didn't feel like a museum exhibit of 2003.
Key takeaways from the Gigi Hadid VS era:
- The "Model-Off-Duty" Power: Gigi’s influence starts long before she hits the runway. Her street style and "Guest in Residence" brand have given her a level of authority that the 90s models didn't always have.
- The Sisterhood: The Hadid duo is the brand's most powerful weapon. Seeing them support each other—Gigi crying for Bella's return—is the kind of emotional "hook" that keeps people watching.
- The Style Shift: Look for the death of the thong. If Gigi Hadid is pushing boy shorts and "dated" lace styles on the VS runway, you can bet your bottom dollar they'll be trending at retail within six months.
Moving Forward With Gigi and VS
If you’re looking to channel that Gigi energy or just keep up with the shifting tides of the fashion world, there are a few things to keep an eye on. First, watch the retail transition. The pieces Gigi wore in 2025—specifically the longline bras and the high-waisted lace bottoms—are already hitting the Victoria's Secret website as the "Gigi-approved" collection.
Secondly, follow the "Creator" trend. The 2025 show proved that the runway isn't just for models anymore; it's for creators with massive social currency. Gigi was the pioneer of this, and now everyone from Madison Beer to Angel Reese is following that blueprint.
Next time you see a clip of Gigi Hadid on the VS runway, remember: it’s not just a walk. It’s a decade-long saga of a girl who wanted it "so bad" she changed the industry’s definition of what a supermodel looks like.