GLITZ, glamour and eye-popping wings – the iconic Victoria’s Secret catwalk was back in full force this weekend in Los Angeles.
The star-studded runway saw a string of A-listers strut on the stage, amongst them who looked incredible in the brand’s shimmering £40million Fantasy Bra.
For some, like the Kylie Cosmetics founder and 21-year-old model Solange Omon, the weekend show was their debut.
But for some veterans – many of whom are in their forties – it was an opportunity to prove that they still very much have it and that they are worthy of being dubbed legends.
But just how do their most recent runways measure up to their original appearances?
We reveal the stars of the world’s most glamorous fashion show then and now….
Adriana Lima
Brazilian beauty returned to the runway over the weekend, marking her historic 21st appearance in the iconic lingerie show.
The now 45-year-old made her Victoria’s Secret runway debut in 1999 and officially joined the brand as an Angel in 2000, instantly capturing hearts all over the globe.
Having fronted the Victoria’s Secret brand as one of their coveted Angels for nearly two decades, Adriana is the longest-serving Angel in Victoria’s Secret history, writing the blueprint for runway charisma.
The stunner, who shares three children with ex-husband Marko Jarić, walked for the brand until November 2018 when she announced her retirement.
The model revealed the news on her Instagram prior to the show and then received a standing ovation from the crowd as she walked for the brand for the final time, bringing her to tears.
But Adriana didn’t forget her wings and returned for the brand revival in 2024 and modelled in the 2026 fashion show. Wearing electric green and angelic white, the legendary model looked just as good as she did two decades ago.
However, the multimillionaire is far from the only model who has barely aged since her first debut. From Miranda Kerr to Heidi Klum, we take a look at some of the most beautiful Victoria’s Secret Angels then and now.
Gisele Bündchen
made her Victoria’s Secret debut in 1999 aged 19, walking in an ethereal nightgown that flared out behind her. The confident walk instantly proved that she was a talented model already.
Gisele, now 46, last walked for the brand in 2006 at their 11th annual Hollywood show, soon after ending her contract.
The Brazilian beauty retired from the industry in 2015 and now enjoys time in Miami Beach with her family.
Miranda Kerr
first graced the Victoria’s Secret runway in 2006 at the Kodak Theatre in Los Angeles, carrying a green megaphone emblazoned with the words ‘Love Pink’.
The next year, she officially joined the lingerie giant as an Angel.
Six years later, Miranda, 43, made her last appearance on the Victoria’s Secret runway, wearing a suitably standout get-up with white feathered wings to match.
Although fans were keen to see the model strut on the iconic runway once again this year, Miranda turned the invitation down.
“It meant so much to be invited to return this year, especially as it marks 20 years since my first show…. but I ultimately felt in my heart it was right to cherish this chapter as it was,” she told her Instagram followers in a post .
Heidi Klum
is now an icon in the modelling industry. But it was back in 1997 that the German beauty set foot on the Victoria’s Secret runway for the very first time aged just 24.
The former judge last appeared for the brand in 2009, when the model was 36, and announced her departure the following year, totalling 13 years of working with Victoria’s Secret.
Candice Swanepoel
first vowed fans around the world on the Victoria’s Secret runway in 2007 and is still active with the brand today.
The 37-year-old, who hails from South Africa, stunned fans at the show last weekend, looking as incredible as ever in a gorgeous two-piece bikini.
This was Candice’s 14th appearance, which makes her one of the iconic models holding the most amount of appearances in the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show.
Tyra Banks
She might be better known as the judge of America’s Next Top Model – and that followed.
But before that, was an official Angel as of 1997. In the mid ’90s she also made history as one of the brand’s first Black contract and catalogue cover models.
Tyra walked for the Victoria’s Secret runway in 2005 before retiring, only to make a grand return almost 20 years later for the brand’s 2024 revival show where she closed it out.
Alessandra Ambrosio
made her Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show debut in 2000 and initially retired from the runway in 2017 after a show in Shanghai.
But she was happy to don her wings for the 2024 revival and continued to walk for the brand into the following year.
Luckily for fans, the 45-year-old returned for her second act over the weekend too – and somehow, it felt even more radiant than before.
