LOS ANGELES — The Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show made its highly anticipated return on October 18, 2026, in Los Angeles, marking the brand’s first runway spectacle in several years. While the event itself signaled a revival of the iconic lingerie showcase, it was Kylie Jenner’s debut on the catwalk wearing the legendary Fantasy Bra that dominated headlines and ignited a fierce debate among fans and fashion insiders alike.
A Historic Piece of Jewelry History
This year’s Fantasy Bra, created in collaboration with high-jewelry house Jacob & Co., is a marvel of craftsmanship and valuation. Valued at an estimated $50 million, it stands as the most expensive Fantasy Bra in the brand’s nearly three-decade history. The piece features 4,410 natural diamonds, including a show-stopping 75.54-carat Fancy Vivid yellow radiant-cut diamond. Weighing approximately four pounds (1.8 kg), the creation required 15 artisans to dedicate 1,000 hours of labor to bring it to life.
Jacob Arabo, founder of Jacob & Co., emphasized the narrative ambition behind the design. “For me, it had to be about the diamonds, the light, and the movement,” Arabo stated on the Victoria’s Secret website. “We gathered exceptional diamonds of different shapes and sizes, including our patented Angel-Cut, and designed the piece to catch the light with every step. The technique is extraordinary, and what matters most is the emotion it generates when you see it come alive on the runway.”
The Legacy of the Fantasy Bra
To understand the magnitude of the controversy, one must understand the tradition. The Fantasy Bra debuted in 1996 when German supermodel Claudia Schiffer wore the Million-Dollar Miracle Bra. Since then, it evolved into the ultimate symbol of the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show — a convergence of high jewelry, luxury, and the brand’s specific vision of fantasy.
Crucially, the honor of wearing it was historically reserved for the brand’s most iconic “Angels” — models who had defined eras for the company. Legends such as Heidi Klum, Gisele Bündchen, and Adriana Lima all had their moments wearing the jeweled masterpiece. For loyal viewers, the Fantasy Bra became synonymous with the pinnacle of a model’s career within the Victoria’s Secret ecosystem.
A Clash of Eras: Supermodels vs. Digital Stars
The 2026 show marked the Fantasy Bra’s return after an eight-year hiatus, heightening expectations. However, the selection of Kylie Jenner — a reality TV star, beauty mogul, and social media titan, but not a traditional runway model — as the wearer fractured the audience.
- Critics argue that the piece represents a heritage earned through years of dedication to the brand’s specific modeling craft. They view Jenner’s casting as a dilution of the honor, prioritizing viral reach over institutional legacy.
- Supporters and the brand frame it as a necessary evolution. Victoria’s Secret has been actively rebranding to appeal to younger, digitally native demographics. Casting Jenner, who commands hundreds of millions of followers, is a strategic play to bridge the gap between the brand’s glamorous past and its commercial future.
“The controversy began from the costly model itself, to the fact that Kylie Jenner was the chosen one to model it,” noted the original report from Caras Mexico. “While the firm bets on adapting to new generations and giving a place to digital stars like Jenner to conquer new audiences, some fans believe this iconic piece should remain reserved
Source: caras.com.mx
