Inside the 2026 Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show: Behind the Scenes on the West Coast
Victoria’s Secret may not often be mentioned alongside Ralph Lauren or Calvin Klein, but the lingerie giant remains one of America’s most recognizable fashion exports. In 2025 the company generated roughly $6.5 billion in revenue, a 5 percent increase from the previous year, and its signature event – the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show – drew an estimated 2.9 million viewers worldwide. While other brands claim the most exclusive runway spectacles, Victoria’s Secret can still claim the largest audience.
The 2026 edition returned to the West Coast, staging the show on Sony’s lot in Los Angeles. A star‑studded roster of models – including Gigi Hadid, Paloma Elsesser, Adriana Lima, Candice Swanepoel, Ashley Graham and Joan Smalls – walked the runway alongside performances by pop acts such as Tate McRae, KATSEYE, Megan Moroney and Megan Thee Stallion. The night also featured the highly anticipated Fantasy Bra, a diamond‑encrusted piece unveiled on a VIP model.
“I think that we’re sort of this idea of the American dream, and certainly the American fantasy,” said Adam Selman, who has served as executive vice president and chief creative officer of Victoria’s Secret for about eighteen months. Selman explained that his team must walk a fine line: “We have to be sexy without being prurient, playful without being cheesy, desirable without being condescending.” He added, “Along the brand’s journey it’s done an amazing job of capturing that cultural relevance, and the show really did that. It cut through. It still does that today as being one of the biggest fashion shows in the world and something that millions and millions of people tune into.”
Selman grew up near Waco, Texas, recalling how his mother would shield his eyes from the brand’s stores, and how he later followed friends to mall locations. Before joining Victoria’s Secret, he worked with costume designer Zaldy and helped launch Rihanna’s Fenty lingerie line. Appointed executive vice president and chief creative officer last year, Selman said his goal was to keep “the joy of the brand” front and center while preserving its tongue‑in‑cheek spirit. “The brand has its own kitschy past and its own sense of humor, everything with a wink and a nod,” he said.
The label has long sparked debate, with some critics calling it outdated and others celebrating its fun appeal. Selman believes a touch of camp can soften the brand’s boudoir image without compromising respect for women. “I don’t want to dress women up like dolls or in costumes,” he explained. “I want it to be fun, and I want it to be serious at the same time, but always with the utmost respect for women.” He added, “We don’t have to lose what the brand inherently stands for without being a modern, inclusive version of that. The two can exist together.”
Backstage, photographer Corey Tenold captured the flurry of preparations, from model fittings to makeup stations, offering a glimpse into the massive coordination required for one of the world’s most watched fashion events.