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From the Court to the Catwalk: Angel Reese’s Victoria’s Secret Moment

When you think of Victoria’s Secret Angels, images of high‑fashion models, sleek lingerie, and glamorous wings likely come to mind. In 2025, that image got a powerful upgrade: Angel Reese, WNBA standout, became the first professional athlete to walk the runway in the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show.

A Dream Made Manifest

Angel Reese’s trajectory to the runway is hardly accidental. Growing up, she admired Victoria’s Secret campaigns, daydreaming about being an Angel someday. “I always watched the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show and always dreamed that I, one day, could possibly be a model,” she told Vogue ahead of the event.

She first attended the show as a spectator, placing herself in the audience, but never letting that moment dim her aspirations.  Then, in October 2025, she announced with pride:

“Stepping into a dream: From Angel to a Victoria Secret ANGEL … I’m finally getting my wings.” 

The announcement quickly became historic: she is now the first pro athlete to don the brand’s iconic wings on the runway. 

The Big Night: Runway Debut

The show took place in Brooklyn, New York on October 15, 2025, marking the return of Victoria’s Secret’s flagship runway after its hiatus. 

Angel walked not one, but two looks. Her first: a pink floral lingerie set with delicate lace and slim straps, paired with a soft feathered wrap (a stole) draped across her arms.  The second: a bold pink cut‑out tee over a lacy bra‑pant set, finished with glamorous white lace wings and silver heels. 

Behind the scenes, Reese embraced the transformation. She reportedly hired a modeling coach to hone her walk, practicing steps as earnestly as she does her jump shot. “I walk, sleep, hoop—and I hoop, sleep, walk,” she quipped in an interview. 

Her entrance was electric. At 6′3″ tall, wearing the signature angel wings, she strode confidently to the beat of Lumidee’s “Never Leave You (Uh Oooh, Uh Oooh).”

There’s more to Angel Reese’s runway moment than a fashion crossover. It represents a bridging of worlds: sports and fashion, athleticism and glamor, self‑expression across spheres.

1. Breaking boundaries
   Reese is rewriting who can be a Victoria’s Secret Angel. No longer just models, the show now embraces athletes, expanding the narrative around what “beauty” can look like. 

2. Representation matters
   As a Black woman who dominates in one of the most visible spaces in women’s sports, Angel’s appearance reaffirms that elegant, powerful, athletic bodies deserve celebration and inclusion in spaces that historically excluded them.

3. Her influence is multi‑dimensional
   Reese already commands attention on the court for her competitive fire and fashion-forward aesthetics off it. She has collaborated on capsule collections with Reebok, blending sport and streetwear.  Her runway debut adds yet another dimension to her personal brand—she’s not just an athlete, but a cultural icon.

Suni Lee Joins the Movement

Angel wasn’t alone in this fashion milestone. Suni Lee, Olympic gold medalist gymnast, also walked in the 2025 Victoria’s Secret show, embodying the athletic spirit the brand is now embracing. 

Lee’s look leaned toward sporty chic: a PINK crop top branded “PINK,” black short shorts, a pink zip‑up hoodie with feathered wings at the back, and silver heels. The juxtaposition of gymnastic strength and lingerie aesthetics echoed Reese’s ethos—power with finesse.

Their presence together in the show underscores a shift: fashion and athleticism are no longer separate realms. They coalesce, and women like Reese and Lee are proving how seamless the crossover can be.

Angel Reese vs. The Runway

Many wondered how an athlete would fare on a runway built for trained models. But Reese turned that question into her triumph.

• Posture and poise
  Transitioning from court posture to runway elegance isn’t easy. But Reese carried herself with control and grace, her presence commanding without losing softness.

• Walk as performance
  Yes, she practiced, but she also leaned on her stage instincts. The confidence she brings in a locker room translated to the runway—the energy was palpable.

• Style choices
  She made smart design decisions: pink hues aligned with Victoria’s Secret DNA, lace and floral details elevated femininity, while the wings rooted her in the brand’s legacy. The cut-out tee layered over lingerie added modern flair.

Critics had their say: some praised her transformation, others debated the outfit’s cuts or silhouette. But the broader reaction affirmed her impact. She didn’t just walk the runway—she left footprints. 

Why This Moment Resonates

• Cultural impact
  Angel Reese’s runway debut becomes a cultural milestone. Conversations about body image, athletic bodies, and representation inevitably shift when someone who challenges stereotypes stands front and center in a high‑fashion spectacle.

• Legacy redrawn
  A new chapter is opening in Victoria’s Secret history. Athletes are no longer beyond the brand’s wings—they can wear them, too.

• Inspiration for youth
  Young girls who see Reese dominating on the court—and then striding on a runway—gain permission to dream hybrid dreams. One can be strong and soft, sporty and glamorous.

Final Reflection

Angel Reese’s journey from WNBA courts to Victoria’s Secret runway is more than a headline—it’s a narrative of breaking molds, manifesting destiny, and broadening what’s possible. She didn’t just cross over—she created a bridge.

As fashion evolves, the world will remember this moment: when an athlete made history, donned wings, and turned a dream into more than just a metaphor.