Victoria's Secret has given fashion fans plenty to talk about with its 2026 fashion show, featuring extravagant lingerie, celebrity appearances and one seriously expensive runway look. Kylie Jenner made her debut at the 18 October event wearing the returning Fantasy Bra, a diamond-covered creation valued at $50 million (approximately £37 million).
But while the show delivered plenty of glamour, it also brought renewed scrutiny of the brand's controversial past. One fan wrote: 'I can't believe VS is still a thing despite the ties to Epstein'.
So yeah, it's cool that Kylie wore a $50 million bra. Let's not forget the founder and owner of Victoria’s Secret is all over the Epstein files pic.twitter.com/wXQjgC68Un
— LPC (@landpalestine) October 20, 2026
How Is It Connected to Epstein Files?
The connection centres on Leslie Wexner, the billionaire businessman who built Victoria's Secret into a major lingerie retailer through L Brands, its former parent company. Wexner had a longstanding financial relationship with Jeffrey Epstein, who managed his personal finances and was granted power of attorney to carry out financial transactions on his behalf.
Their association has attracted scrutiny because Epstein was a convicted sex offender who faced federal sex trafficking charges before his death in 2019. Wexner has said he severed ties with Epstein after learning about his abusive behaviour and has denied knowing about or participating in his crimes.
Wexner's documented association with Epstein does not, by itself, establish that Victoria's Secret as a company participated in Epstein's crimes. Nevertheless, the connection continues to raise questions about the people behind the brand and the legacy of its former leadership.
For critics, the latest fashion show provides another opportunity to revisit those concerns, particularly when the event celebrates luxury and celebrity while the brand's past remains part of the public conversation.
History of Controversy
Victoria's Secret has faced criticism over its beauty standards for years, particularly its reliance on tall, thin models and its limited representation of different body types. The backlash intensified in 2018 when then-chief marketing officer Ed Razek made controversial remarks suggesting transgender and plus-size models did not fit the brand's fashion show.
Razek later apologised for his comments about transgender models, but the controversy damaged the company's image at a time when consumers were increasingly demanding greater representation. Victoria's Secret cancelled its annual televised fashion show in 2019 after years of criticism.
The brand eventually returned to the runway with a different approach, featuring a more diverse selection of models in its 2024 show. However, the changes did not silence every critic, with questions remaining about whether the company had genuinely evolved or was simply adapting its image to changing consumer expectations.
The 2026 event has sparked another debate, this time over the role of celebrity in fashion. Jenner's Fantasy Bra appearance drew attention, with some critics debating whether celebrity status now outweighs modelling experience.
Victoria's Secret's Enduring Influence
Victoria's Secret still knows how to create a spectacle, with extravagant designs, familiar supermodels and celebrity appearances generating attention across social media. Its decades of recognition also make the fashion show a familiar cultural event, even as criticism of the brand continues.
However, online attention does not necessarily translate into customer loyalty or approval. While some fans see the runway as an entertaining celebration of fashion, others remain critical of the brand's past, making its long-term relevance dependent on more than celebrity power and glamorous designs.
