Alessandra Ambrosio first walked the Victoria’s Secret runway more than two decades ago. Now, she’s making her return to the iconic catwalk in the brand’s revived fashion show, streaming on Prime Video.
“The feeling backstage is electrifying,” Ambrosio tells WWD following rehearsals on Monday. “It’s exciting to be back. The best part for me is to see the girls. It’s been seven years since I did my last Victoria’s Secret show, and just to be backstage, it feels like a big Angels reunion.”
Ambrosio was one of the brand’s contracted spokesmodels from 2004 to 2017, and was the first face of Victoria’s Secret Pink before being named an Angel. She walked in 17 fashion shows for the brand, and even after all these years, the supermodel admits that she still gets butterflies before hitting the runway.
“There’s no way not to get nervous, because it’s live,” Ambrosio explains. “Anything can happen.”
The 2024 Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show marks a major moment for the brand as it seeks to redefine its image. Following its cancellation in 2019, the fashion show will be produced by women for the very first time.
Speaking to WWD in July, Janie Schaffer, chief design and creative officer, and Sarah Sylvester, executive vice president of marketing, shared their plans to make this year’s show the most inclusive yet.
“[It’s a] celebration of how amazing the fashion show was…but through the lens of Victoria’s Secret today, rather than the lens of Victoria’s Secret of old,” Schaffer said.
Some of the spectacle’s hallmarks will remain: that means the same wings, the same glamorous outfits and high-profile musical talent — Cher, Tyla and Lisa of Blackpink are this year’s performers.
Ambrosio isn’t the only former Angel making her return. Tyra Banks, Taylor Hill and Candice Swanepoel will grace the catwalk alongside newer faces like Paloma Elsesser and Devyn Garcia.
“This is a more fashion-forward show,” Ambrosio says. “There are so many different generations [represented], which is pretty fantastic to see. I think it’s great, all the diversity.”