Emmy-winning designer Zaldy almost missed the opportunity to create the costumes for the 2024 Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show. “I just happened to catch it within a couple of days, and I was like, Is this real?” he reflects days before the show. Fortunately, he landed the role, calling it “by far the best DM I’ve ever received in my life.”
Known for his work with Lady Gaga and Cirque du Soleil, Zaldy expresses how unique and positive this experience has been. “It has been the most pleasurable project I think I’ve ever worked on,” he shares, emphasizing the all-female leadership team that included stylist Emmanuelle Alt and fashion director Priscilla Polley. This year’s show marked a significant shift towards diversity and inclusivity, being the first live Victoria’s Secret show since 2018.
Janie Schaffer, who executive produced the show alongside Sarah Sylvester, underscores this new direction. “The true vision from the start was for the entire show to feel like a celebration of women,” she explains. “This year’s show reflects the diversity of their experiences and infuses innovation into every element.” This focus on empowerment deeply influenced Zaldy’s approach to the iconic wings.
Traditionally, the wings have signified the show’s grandeur, but Zaldy adopted a more tailored approach. “It’s really about which wing suits the right model,” he notes, clarifying that bigger wings don’t always mean bigger stars. “I think it’s very liberating.”
For Zaldy, extensive research was key. He aimed to innovate while respecting the show’s vibrant legacy. “My first thought was: I have to have an opening wing that has never been done before,” he reveals. This vision came to life in the opening ensemble worn by Gigi Hadid, featuring a plunging baby pink bodysuit and enormous feathered wings that opened dramatically, as if ready for flight.
Zaldy’s designs promise to bring a fresh perspective to this beloved fashion spectacle, celebrating not only the models but also the spirit of empowerment and diversity that defines the 2024 show.
