Gisele Bndchen, one of the most recognizable and influential models of the past few decades, has been making headlines recently for her decision to skip the highly anticipated return of the Victoria's Secret Fashion Show. The event, which took place in New York City on October 15, 2024, featured a star-studded lineup including Tyra Banks, Gigi Hadid, and Adriana Lima, but Bndchen was noticeably absent. In this article, we delve into Bndchen's journey as a model, her relationship with Victoria's Secret, and the reasons behind her decision to decline the invitation to return to the runway.
Gisele Bndchen began her modeling career at a young age. Born on July 20, 1980, in Horizontina, Brazil, she was discovered by a modeling agent while working at a coffee shop. Her rise to fame was swift and meteoric, with her first major appearance being in the 1996 Ford Supermodel of the World contest. She quickly became one of the most sought-after models in the industry, known for her stunning looks and captivating presence on the runway (Learn More at Direct Post).
Bndchen's association with Victoria's Secret began in 1999 when she was just 19 years old. She served as a Victoria's Secret Angel until 2006, becoming one of the brand's most iconic representatives. During her tenure, she walked the runway numerous times and even wore the iconic 'Fantasy Bra,' which was designed to be a symbol of luxury and beauty (Victoria's Secret Fashion Show Returns Tonight After Hiatus - Forbes).
However, Bndchen's relationship with Victoria's Secret was not without its challenges. In various interviews, she has expressed discomfort with the revealing outfits often required for the shows. Despite this, she always made sure to maintain a professional demeanor and enjoyed the creative aspects of working with the brand. 'I always had fun on the shows,' she said in an interview with Refinery29. 'It was always like a production, there was always someone singing, there was always something happening. It was a fun experience.'
Despite her positive experiences with Victoria's Secret, Bndchen decided not to re-sign with the brand in 2006. At the time, she was 27 years old and felt that there were other things she wanted to pursue. 'I kind of felt like there were other things I wanted to do,' she explained to Refinery29. 'It was 80 percent of my income when I decided to not re-sign with them.' This decision marked a significant turning point in her career as she began to explore other opportunities in the fashion industry.
In recent years, Bndchen has continued to be involved in various high-profile projects. In 2023, she made a brief reemergence on Victoria's Secret's runway for its Icons campaign, which also featured Naomi Campbell and Emily Ratajkowski. However, this appearance was not enough to convince her to return to the runway full-time. 'I never said I would retire, just that I would no longer do runways,' she said in an interview with O Globo. 'I will never stop working. My desire is to continue creating until the day I die.'
The reasons behind Bndchen's decision to skip the 2024 Victoria's Secret Fashion Show are multifaceted. One major factor is her ongoing commitment to her professional career. Since retiring from runways in 2020, she has focused on editorial shoots and other creative projects that allow her to express herself in different ways. 'It's very easy for me to go there and create a character and play that role for the day,' she explained to Elle. 'It fuels me. I feel inspired to go and create more beautiful things in the world in different ways, too.'
Another significant reason for Bndchen's absence is her strong resolve not to return to runways despite being approached by the brand. Sources disclosed that Victoria's Secret reached out to her team back in June when casting started for the show, but their offer was declined on the basis that she no longer wants to walk the runways for shows (Gisele Bndchen Reportedly Refused To Break Her Retirement For Victorias Secrets Runway).
Emmanuelle Alt, the former head of French Vogue, reportedly tried to convince Bndchen to come out of retirement. However, Bndchen's team politely declined any further discussions on the matter (Gisele Bndchen Daily on X). This indicates that Bndchen is committed to her current path and is not willing to revisit her past as a runway model.
The return of the Victoria's Secret Fashion Show after a six-year hiatus was highly anticipated. The event promised more inclusivity and diversity, reflecting the changing times and the evolving expectations of the fashion industry. The show featured an all-women musical artist appearance, including Tyla, K-Pop star Lisa, and pop icon Cher closing the show. Ashley Graham made her debut as an Angel on Victoria's Secret's runway, representing curvy women and extending sizes to include more diverse body types (Victorias Secret Fashion Show Returns With A Bang After A 6-Year Hiatus).
In conclusion, Gisele Bndchen's decision to skip the 2024 Victorias Secret Fashion Show is a reflection of her evolving career goals and personal preferences. While she remains an iconic figure in the fashion world, her commitment to editorial shoots and other creative projects indicates a desire to explore new avenues of expression. As she continues to inspire generations of models and fashion enthusiasts alike, it is clear that Bndchens legacy extends far beyond her time as a Victorias Secret Angel.
