The return of the high-octane runway spectacle brought an army of the world’s top models to Los Angeles for the 2026 Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show, culminating in a star-studded after-party at the legendary Chateau Marmont where the fashion set celebrated well into the early morning hours. Industry heavyweights and modern muses alike—including Candice Swanepoel, Adriana Lima, Gigi and Bella Hadid, Anok Yai, and Alex Consani—sauntered down the main runway earlier in the evening, donning their most extravagant angel wings and high-drama undergarments. While the main event offered a splashy, highly produced visual feast, the exclusive post-show gathering proved that the off-duty style of these supermodels is just as compelling as what they wear on the catwalk.
After the lights went down on the main presentation, the Angels let their hair down and transitioned to the private bash, bringing their finest, most daring party looks to the function. Bella Hadid, in particular, leaned heavily into the lingerie-inspired aesthetic that dominated the runway, rolling up to the historic hotel in a striking black lace body-con mini dress. The sheer fabrication of the garment left little to the imagination, deliberately exposing her black bra and briefs underneath in a masterclass of modern naked dressing. To anchor the daring ensemble, she completed the late-night look with sleek black sunglasses and sharp, pointed-toe pumps, striking a pose that instantly commanded the attention of photographers waiting outside the venue.
While Hadid’s all-black look could have easily passed as an additional lineup choice directly from the Victoria’s Secret show itself, the ensemble immediately evoked another monumental pop culture reference: Britney Spears circa the 2001 MTV Video Music Awards. The princess of pop famously attended the awards ceremony wearing an itty-bitty Dolce & Gabbana lace dress, cementing a red carpet moment that has been cited, analyzed, and recreated endlessly by successive generations of designers and celebrities. The enduring legacy of that specific look was also recently underscored by Tate McRae, who performed on the Victoria’s Secret runway and previously revived a similar styling homage at the 2024 MTV VMAs.
On Hadid, the sexy, high-impact going-out look felt entirely fresh and utterly contemporary, serving as a fitting stylistic bookend to a very busy Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show weekend. The entire weekend proved that lingerie dressing, sheer fabrics, and revealing silhouettes remain the undisputed name of the game in high fashion, aligning seamlessly with a burgeoning trend trajectory seen across the ready-to-wear runways. Coming as it does just ahead of Halloween, Hadid’s sharp homage to Britney Spears also naturally sparks broader conversations about iconic red carpet fashion moments that transcend their original eras. From Björk’s unforgettable swan dress to Céline Dion’s daring backwards tuxedo at the Oscars, the rich tapestry of pop culture history offers endless inspiration for bold sartorial statements.
