Kylie Jenner has become a major talking point following her surprise appearance at the 2026 Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show, where she wore the brand’s $50 million Fantasy Bra in a runway debut that has divided fashion fans.
The beauty entrepreneur walked the runway in Los Angeles on Sunday, October 18, wearing the diamond-encrusted lingerie piece with a gauzy white miniskirt, clear heels and white feathered wings.
While the appearance delivered the spectacle Victoria’s Secret hoped to create, it also triggered criticism over the brand’s decision to give Jenner the coveted piece, her runway performance and the garment’s apparent fit.
Jenner’s appearance marked the return of the Fantasy Bra to the runway for the first time since 2018. It also made her the first person outside Victoria’s Secret’s roster of contracted Angels to wear the iconic piece.
Kylie Jenner faces criticism over Fantasy Bra choice
One of the biggest points of contention concerns Jenner’s selection for an honour historically associated with some of the fashion industry’s most recognisable models.
Previous Fantasy Bra wearers include Gisele Bündchen, Heidi Klum, Tyra Banks and Adriana Lima. Jenner, however, entered the Victoria’s Secret runway as a celebrity and beauty entrepreneur rather than a veteran Angel.
Some fans questioned why the brand chose her for the occasion instead of a model with a longer history with Victoria’s Secret.
The debate has also drawn attention to the brand’s broader casting choices. In the days before the show, former Angel Romee Strijd discussed her unsuccessful attempt to return to the runway, prompting criticism from fans over the treatment of established models and the growing influence of celebrity connections in fashion casting.
Victoria’s Secret explains why it chose Jenner
Victoria’s Secret chief creative officer Adam Selman defended the decision, pointing to Jenner’s influence across entertainment, beauty and popular culture.
“Kylie really extends beyond fashion, beyond culture, beyond TV, beyond one singular thing,” Selman told Vogue.
He argued that Jenner’s broad appeal suited the fashion show’s entertainment-driven approach.
“The show is so big, it’s true entertainment, and I think that she is a great catalyst for that,” he said.
Selman also explained that the brand wanted to pair the returning Fantasy Bra with an unexpected personality who could attract attention from a wide audience.
“I think it’s an interesting pairing that we’re giving the fans: we’re giving them what they want with this amazing Fantasy Bra, and we’re going to put it on an unexpected talent who has a massive following and massive cultural impact,” he told Vogue.
Viewers question the $50 million bra’s fit
The criticism has extended beyond Jenner’s casting to the design of the Fantasy Bra itself.
Following the show, some viewers questioned whether the rigid, jewel-covered garment fitted Jenner properly. Close-up images prompted comments about the underwire and coverage around the sides of her bust, with critics arguing that the fit distracted from the craftsmanship.
The piece was created in collaboration with luxury jeweller Jacob & Co. and features 4,410 natural diamonds, including a 75.54-carat radiant-cut Fancy Vivid yellow diamond reportedly valued at $22 million.
Fifteen craftspeople spent more than 1,000 hours assembling the creation, which weighs just under four pounds. Its $50 million valuation makes it the most expensive Fantasy Bra in the brand’s history.
Jeweller Jacob Arabo told Vogue that the design contains no fabric and consists of gold and diamonds, making the challenge of achieving a wearable fit particularly demanding.
Kylie Jenner’s debut revives the Fantasy Bra tradition
The Fantasy Bra first appeared in 1996, when Claudia Schiffer wore the Million-Dollar Miracle Bra. Over the following years, the elaborate creations became a signature feature of Victoria’s Secret’s high-profile fashion shows.
Bündchen wore the $15 million Red Hot Fantasy Bra in 2000, while Elsa Hosk wore the last runway version before the latest revival in 2018. That piece carried a reported $1 million price tag.
The 2026 edition marks a return to the extravagant jewellery designs that once helped define the brand’s runway spectacle.
