Kaylah Walton
The eagerly awaited return of the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show took place recently in New York City, marking its first event since 2018 after a period of declining viewership.
Audience members were thrilled to see legendary models, including former Victoria’s Secret Angels like Adriana Lima, Alessandra Ambrosio, and Tyra Banks, who concluded the show.
However, one notable absence stood out to viewers – Gisele Bundchen, a highly recognized figure from the brand’s heyday in the 2000s.
Gisele Pursues New Avenues Outside of the Runway
While Gisele was a leading model for Victoria’s Secret from 1999 to 2006, she chose not to take part in the show’s comeback, aligning with her current position on runway work.
In a discussion with O Globo, Gisele asserted, “I never expressed intentions to retire, merely that I would no longer walk runways.”
She conveyed her passion for creativity and her commitment to ongoing work, stating, “I will always seek to create until the end.”
Locating her focus elsewhere, Gisele has engaged in collaborative projects with Stefano Pilati and artistic shoots with Steven Meisel, ensuring her ongoing relevance in the fashion scene without stepping back onto the catwalk.
Gisele’s Reflections on Her Journey with Victoria’s Secret
Reflecting on her tenure with Victoria’s Secret, Gisele conveyed that leaving was a difficult yet essential decision.
“I began at 19 years old. By 27, I began to realize there were other pursuits I wanted to explore,” she revealed to Refinery29.
She acknowledged the brand’s respect for her choices, including her preference for capes over G-strings, which she found uncomfortable.
Despite her deep ties to the brand, Gisele recognized that it was time to move on.
“I could have continued for three to five more years, but I felt I had completed that chapter. Saying no to one opportunity allows you to say yes to another,” she explained.
Her absence from the Victoria’s Secret runway symbolizes not an end, but rather a transition towards richer and more satisfying opportunities in her career.
