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On Sunday night, just when you thought the megawatt spectacle that is the Victoria’s Secret runway show couldn’t get any glitzier, out struts Kylie Jenner in a $50 million diamond brasserie.

The “Fantasy Bra” is a Victoria’s Secret signature stunt — since 1996, the lingerie brand has designed roughly one bejeweled push-up bra per year, primarily for elevating catwalks. Claudia Schiffer was the first model to wear a Fantasy Bra in a photo shoot, while the last was Elsa Hosk on the runway in 2018 — both were valued at the time at a comparatively modest $1 million.

This year, the price tag of previous versions was dwarfed by Jacob & Co.’s $50 million creation. The luxury jewelers engineered Jenner’s bustier out of 91 large white diamonds ranging at between 5 and 18 carats each. At the bra’s center sat one yellow diamond over 75 carats. For a brand emerging from a rocky few years of public criticism and revenue losses, it read as a defiant investment into its own fantasy.

Jenner's diamond bra took 15 artisans over 1,000 hours to make. Jenner's diamond bra took 15 artisans over 1,000 hours to make.
Jennelle Fong for CNN

Celebrities from Timothée Chalamet and Kris Jenner to Nicole Kidman and Dylan Sprouse watched the procession of familiar Victoria’s Secret Angels such as Joan Smalls and Candice Swanepoel, as well as newer recruits like Paloma Elsesser and Alex Consani. Model Bella Hadid opened the show with a pair of delicate floral wings that looked more comfortable than those of previous shows. “The wings are so much lighter this year, so the girls are really walking,” said Consani backstage. Models strutted in a range of sheer to sportier takes on lingerie, soundtracked to live performances from global girl group Katseye, rapper Megan Thee Stallion and pop singer Tate McRae.

Katseye performed as models walked the runway. Katseye performed as models walked the runway.
Jennelle Fong for CNN

Solange Omon was unveiled as the winner of “Angels Among Us” — Victoria’s Secret new social-first reality show posted on YouTube in the weeks leading up to the event. The “America’s Next Top Model”-style series, spearheaded by the brand’s new chief creative officer Adam Selman, captures an ambitious open casting call process to recruit just one model. The competition begins in malls across the US, with thousands lining up to have their runway walk judged by a panel including Selman, Elsesser, Ashley Graham and Gigi Hadid. It’s clear that public appeal towards the brand remains — aside from the staggering number of applicants, the first episode, posted two weeks ago, has over 5 million views.

Since his appointment in April 2025, part of Selman’s job has been to contend with the controversial legacy of Victoria’s Secret. Links to Jeffrey Epstein sullied the brand’s reputation, while existential questions over whether its lingerie runway shows — which have been going since 1995, aside from a 6-year hiatus starting in 2019 — are patriarchal or empowering resurface each year like clockwork. In its official comeback show in 2024, before Selman joined, the brand attempted a quick course correct after decades of promoting one body type in the interest of “fantasy.” Plus-size and transgender models were cast for the first time in Victoria’s Secret history, though many called it tokenistic and “woke-washing.” At the beginning of 2026, the brand’s CEO Hillary Super told Fortune it has a commitment to diversity “without being performative, where we have to check every box.” The balancing act seemed to have worked — earlier this summer, the company doubled its share price on the stock market, according to Fortune.

The show was held in Los Angeles. The show was held in Los Angeles.
Jennelle Fong for CNN
Guests dressed in line with Victoria's Secret's iconic styles. Guests dressed in line with Victoria's Secret's iconic styles.
Jennelle Fong for CNN

For his second Victoria’s Secret runway show, Selman is continuing to toe that line between brand heritage and contemporary attitudes, embracing the fact that it appears the sex-appeal, the glamour, the fantasy, is in some ways, still what people want. His next generation Angels (Graham, Elsesser, Consani, Omon) walk alongside those such as veteran catwalker Adriana Lima, who racked up her 21st show for the brand Sunday night.

Scroll down to see exclusive photos — on and off the runway — from the event.

Gigi Hadid, a long-serving Victoria's Secret Angel, walked again this year. Gigi Hadid, a long-serving Victoria's Secret Angel, walked again this year.
Jennelle Fong for CNN
The brand's live runway show officially returned to a lukewarm reception in 2024, but under the new creative direction of Adam Selman, Victoria's Secret has doubled down on its traditional glamour. The brand's live runway show officially returned to a lukewarm reception in 2024, but under the new creative direction of Adam Selman, Victoria's Secret has doubled down on its traditional glamour.
Jennelle Fong for CNN
Veteran Victoria's Secret models such as Alessandra Ambrosio, who has been cast consistently for 20 years, kept the event anchored to the brand's heritage. Veteran Victoria's Secret models such as Alessandra Ambrosio, who has been cast consistently for 20 years, kept the event anchored to the brand's heritage.
Jennelle Fong for CNN
Adriana Lima has also walked the Victoria's Secret show on and off since 1999. This year was her 21st time. Adriana Lima has also walked the Victoria's Secret show on and off since 1999. This year was her 21st time.
Jennelle Fong for CNN
Backstage, models prepare for the catwalk. Backstage, models prepare for the catwalk.
Jennelle Fong for CNN
Models wore diamond jewellery and accessories alongside lingerie. Models wore diamond jewellery and accessories alongside lingerie.
Jennelle Fong for CNN
Bouncy waves were once again Victoria Secret's runway hairstyle of choice. Bouncy waves were once again Victoria Secret's runway hairstyle of choice.
Jennelle Fong for CNN
Bella Hadid in an ethereal pair of sheer pleated wings. Bella Hadid in an ethereal pair of sheer pleated wings.
Jennelle Fong for CNN
Neon green cropped up more than once on the runway. Neon green cropped up more than once on the runway.
Jennelle Fong for CNN
New pieces from Victoria's Secret Pink label, aimed at younger women and teenagers, were also modeled on the runway. New pieces from Victoria's Secret Pink label, aimed at younger women and teenagers, were also modeled on the runway.
Jennelle Fong for CNN
Chinese supermodel Ming Xi walked the runway in giant luminous gold wings. Chinese supermodel Ming Xi walked the runway in giant luminous gold wings.
Jennelle Fong for CNN
Bella Hadid opened the show in pastoral green floral wings. Bella Hadid opened the show in pastoral green floral wings.
Jennelle Fong for CNN
Korean model Yoon Young Bae modeled more of the brand's Pink label. Korean model Yoon Young Bae modeled more of the brand's Pink label.
Jennelle Fong for CNN
Rosie Huntington-Whiteley getting her hair done ahead of the show. Rosie Huntington-Whiteley getting her hair done ahead of the show.
Jennelle Fong for CNN
Pop singer Tate McCrae performed in crimson red lingerie, debuting her new single "Housewife." Pop singer Tate McCrae performed in crimson red lingerie, debuting her new single "Housewife."
Jennelle Fong for CNN
Joan Smalls made first her Victoria's Secret runway debut in 2011. Joan Smalls made first her Victoria's Secret runway debut in 2011.
Jennelle Fong for CNN
Katseye performed their songs "PINKY UP," "Mean Girls" and "Animal." Katseye performed their songs "PINKY UP," "Mean Girls" and "Animal."
Jennelle Fong for CNN
A model having her glam done backstage. A model having her glam done backstage.
Jennelle Fong for CNN
Makeup was subtle, glowy and blush-heavy. Makeup was subtle, glowy and blush-heavy.
Jennelle Fong for CNN
Megan Thee Stallion also performed at the show. Megan Thee Stallion also performed at the show.
Jennelle Fong for CNN
Hadid in a par of white bedazzled wings and a crystal-embellished body chain. Hadid in a par of white bedazzled wings and a crystal-embellished body chain.
Jennelle Fong for CNN
Some models wore elaborate headpieces in lieu of wings. Some models wore elaborate headpieces in lieu of wings.
Jennelle Fong for CNN
Model Irina Shayk and Victoria's Secret creative director Adam Selman. Model Irina Shayk and Victoria's Secret creative director Adam Selman.
Jennelle Fong for CNN
Doutzen Kroes walked the show in a pair of ombré pleated pink wings. Doutzen Kroes walked the show in a pair of ombré pleated pink wings.
Jennelle Fong for CNN
Alex Consani in a puffy pink cape featuring Victoria Secret's heritage stripes. Alex Consani in a puffy pink cape featuring Victoria Secret's heritage stripes.
Jennelle Fong for CNN
The Victoria's Secret finale. The Victoria's Secret finale.
Jennelle Fong
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