If you close your eyes and think about the peak "Angel" era, you’re probably thinking of the Victoria Secret runway show 2013. It was a weird, sparkly, high-energy fever dream. It happened at the Lexington Avenue Armory in New York City, and honestly, the vibe was just different back then. Before the brand ran into its well-documented cultural reckoning, 2013 felt like the absolute zenith of that specific brand of "sexy" marketing that defined the early 2010s. It wasn't just a fashion show; it was a $12 million production that felt like a Super Bowl for people who liked glitter and pop music.
Taylor Swift was there. Fall Out Boy was there.
The 2013 show didn't just happen; it dominated the conversation for months. You had Adriana Lima, Alessandra Ambrosio, and a very young Candice Swanepoel leading a pack of 40 models through six distinct themes. It was chaotic. It was loud. It was quintessentially VS.
The Night Taylor Swift Became an Honorary Angel
Most people remember the Victoria Secret runway show 2013 for one specific reason: Taylor Swift. This was the Red era. Taylor showed up in a Union Jack mini-dress that basically signaled her transition from country darling to global pop titan. She performed "I Knew You Were Trouble," and for a second, you forgot she wasn't actually walking in the show. She had this incredible chemistry with the models—specifically her then-bestie Karlie Kloss.
It's funny looking back. Fall Out Boy opened the "British Invasion" segment with "My Songs Know What You Did in the Dark (Light Em Up)," and the energy was aggressive. Pete Wentz was jumping around while models in massive feathered wings tried not to hit him. Then you had A Great Big World singing "Say Something," which provided this weirdly somber, emotional contrast to a room filled with neon spandex. It shouldn't have worked. Somehow, it did.
That $10 Million Royal Fantasy Bra
We have to talk about the Royal Fantasy Bra. Every year, the "Fantasy Bra" was the centerpiece, but the 2013 version was particularly insane. Candice Swanepoel was chosen to wear it.
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It was designed by Mouawad and featured over 4,200 precious stones. We’re talking rubies, diamonds, and yellow sapphires all set in 18-karat gold. The centerpiece was a 52-carat pear-shaped ruby. Imagine walking down a slippery runway with $10 million strapped to your chest while two bodyguards in suits watch your every move from the wings. Candice handled it like a pro, but you could tell the weight of the piece was no joke. It was a moment of pure, unadulterated decadence that feels almost alien in the more "quiet luxury" fashion world we live in today.
Breaking Down the Six Segments
The Victoria Secret runway show 2013 was split into six thematic sections. They didn't really have a cohesive narrative, but that was part of the charm. It was just a sensory overload.
British Invasion
This was the opener. Think London Drummers, Vivienne Westwood-inspired plaids, and a lot of red, white, and blue. This is where Taylor Swift did her first set. Adriana Lima came out in a red ensemble that looked like a Royal Guard uniform, if the Royal Guard wore lace and five-inch heels.
Birds of Paradise
This was the "high fashion" segment. It was all about intricate feathers and exotic prints. Lais Ribeiro and Lindsay Ellingson looked like actual tropical birds. The craftsmanship on the wings here was actually impressive—some of these pieces took hundreds of hours to hand-stitch.
Parisian Nights
Very chic, very black lace, very "Ooh La La." This segment felt the most like traditional lingerie. It was moody and romantic.
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SHIPWRECKED
This was one of the more creative sections. The models looked like they’d been washed ashore on a luxury island. There was a lot of tattered gauze and shimmering fabrics that looked like water.
PINK Network
This was the "younger" line, and it was... loud. Neon lights, smiley faces, and a performance by Neon Jungle. This is where the brand usually leaned into the "college girl" aesthetic, which would later become a point of controversy regarding how they marketed to younger audiences.
Snow Angels
The finale. Everything was white, silver, and covered in Swarovski crystals. This is where the show leaned into the holiday spirit. It was the "big finish" that the Victoria Secret runway show 2013 needed to leave people feeling like they’d just seen something magical.
The Casting and the Controversy
Looking back from 2026, the 2013 show feels like a time capsule. The "Big Three"—Adriana, Alessandra, and Candice—were at their peak. But you also saw the rise of the next generation. Behati Prinsloo was becoming a staple. Martha Hunt and Elsa Hosk were moving up the ranks.
However, it’s worth noting that the diversity was... lacking. While there were women of color like Joan Smalls and Maria Borges, the body types were identical. This was the era of the "Angel" workout. The pressure on these women to look a very specific way was immense. 13 years later, the industry has shifted toward inclusivity, making the 2013 show look like a relic of a very specific, somewhat rigid beauty standard. Ed Razek, the long-time creative lead, was still firmly in control of the "vision" back then.
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Why 2013 Specifically Matters
Why do we still talk about the Victoria Secret runway show 2013?
Because it was the last year the show felt genuinely untouchable. Ratings were high—nearly 10 million viewers on CBS. Social media was just starting to become the primary way we consumed these events, but it hadn't yet "spoiled" the mystery of the show. By the time the show moved to London in 2014 and then started its decline in the late 2010s, the "magic" had started to fade.
In 2013, the brand was still the king of retail. They hadn't yet been disrupted by companies like Savage X Fenty or Aerie. It was a snapshot of a time when a single brand could define what "glamour" looked like for an entire generation.
How to Apply the 2013 "Vibe" to Modern Content
If you're a creator or a brand looking at the success of the Victoria Secret runway show 2013, there are a few takeaways that still apply, even if the specific aesthetic has evolved:
- The Power of the Crossover: Bringing in Taylor Swift wasn't just about music; it was about merging two massive fanbases. If you're launching something, find a partner whose audience overlaps but doesn't mirror your own.
- High-Stakes Visuals: The "Fantasy Bra" was a gimmick, but it was a good one. It gave the press something easy to write about. Every campaign needs one "headline" item.
- Themed Storytelling: Even if the themes were campy, they gave the show structure. People remember "Snow Angels" better than they remember "Random Lingerie Set #4."
To really understand the legacy of the Victoria Secret runway show 2013, you have to look at it as a piece of pop culture history rather than a fashion event. It was the end of an era. Shortly after this, the conversation around body positivity and corporate ethics began to change the landscape forever.
If you want to dive deeper into this specific era of fashion history, your next step should be to look at the 2013 "Making of" specials. They offer a raw look at the logistics of moving 40 models and millions of dollars of jewelry through a cramped New York armory. Also, check out the photography of Russell James from that specific year; his backstage shots captured the "Angel" era better than the actual broadcast ever could.