It might be New York Fashion Week but one of the biggest fashion runways of the year is the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show which happens in November. One of the world’s most expensive runway productions, it’s considered by many models as one of the top catwalk shows to book in their careers.
The line-up for this year’s show includes the brand’s Angels who walk every year (though it is not known if Lily Aldridge will walk as she is pregnant with her second child and Candice Swanepoel is also yet to confirm her return after the birth of her second son in May of this year) as well as host of other models.
The two biggest announcements for inclusion in this year’s show are new recruits Winnie Harlow and Kelsey Merritt. Winnie Harlow is one of the most in-demand models in the world and has long championed the need for greater diversity in fashion circles. Harlow has vitiligo, a condition that causes skin to lose pigmentation, and told Vogue UK that she wants to use this opportunity to continue to promote body confidence within her followers. “Why is there a stigma around being different when we’re all different? Representation is so important, and I want to [stand for] all women. Every single woman.”
Meanwhile Merritt is the first Filipino woman to be cast to walk in the show. She has previously modelled for the brand’s website, however she will make her official runway debut in November. She took to Instagram to celebrate the good news, writing, “We did it Philippines! What an honour it is to be the first Filipino to walk in the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show!”
Other returning models named in this year’s line-up include Alexina Graham, Georgia Fowler, Shanina Shaik, Devon Windsor, Barbara Palvin, Megan Williams, Toni Garrn and Cindy Bruna.
It is not yet known if Bella or Gigi Hadid or Kendall Jenner will also make an appearance on the runway. This year’s location is still under wraps also. Watch this space.
Until then, catch the highlights from the first weekend of New York Fashion Week.
