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Model Romee Strijd has raised further questions about the casting process for the 2026 Victoria's Secret Fashion Show, disputing the timeline provided by the lingerie brand and calling for greater transparency over how her participation was handled.
According to a report published by Vanity Fair on Oct. 21, Strijd said she attended a casting session on Sept. 10, four days after Victoria's Secret claimed its casting director, Piergiorgio Del Moro, had informed her agency, IMG, that she had not been selected.
The discrepancy has drawn attention to communication between models, agencies and fashion brands, particularly after Strijd publicly discussed her experience in viral TikTok videos.
Victoria's Secret previously stated that Del Moro had notified IMG on Sept. 6 that Strijd would not be included in the show. However, the model told Vanity Fair that she had remained under consideration since early summer and had subsequently attended the Sept. 10 casting.
Strijd said her concern was not that she had failed to secure a place in the show, but rather that she had continued preparing for the opportunity without receiving a clear explanation of her status.
"They have every right to decide whom they invite or book, but after that preparation and planning, I think clear communication is a reasonable expectation," she said.
The model added that she had approached IMG for clarification but had not received an explanation.
Following her comments on a Vanity Fair Instagram post and subsequent correspondence with the publication, the magazine contacted both IMG and Victoria's Secret again. Neither had responded by the time the report was published.
Strijd maintained that uncertainty should be communicated openly rather than allowing models to continue making arrangements for opportunities that may no longer be available.
"Keeping someone hopeful because a decision might change isn't fair when they're making plans and putting their time and energy into something," she said.
Beyond the Victoria's Secret controversy, the fashion industry has also seen developments involving established celebrities and emerging designers.
British singer Harry Styles recently appeared at Madison Square Garden wearing a custom outfit by designer Conner Ives during his 30-night residency at the New York venue.
The ensemble incorporated vintage silk scarves and more than 3,000 Swarovski crystals, building on an earlier design created for Styles.
His stylist, Harry Lambert, described Ives as one of his favorite designers and said the outfit ranked among his preferred looks from Styles' performances.
Ives, who has recently expanded into menswear, said Styles was among his first male bespoke clients, referring to individually commissioned garments made for a particular customer.
The designer also highlighted his collaboration with Styles and Lambert, describing their creative process as particularly enjoyable.
Meanwhile, New York-based designer Zane Li, founder of the label Lii, has won the 2026 CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund, an initiative supporting emerging American fashion talent.
Aisling Camps and Emily Dawn Long were named runners-up.
Li, known for his bold color combinations and unconventional interpretations of American sportswear, has also received the Fashion Trust US Ready-to-Wear Award and the Karl Lagerfeld Prize at this year's LVMH Prize.
Together, the awards have brought him more than $500,000 in prize money, providing financial support for the development of his brand.
In another development, French-American fashion house J. Mendel has brought in Jonathan Cohen as its resident creative director as the historic label works toward a revival following its 2018 bankruptcy filing.
Cohen presented his debut collection in New York on October 21, introducing evening gowns alongside ready-to-wear pieces, including a leather jacket and a sheer tuxedo shirt with fur detailing.
The designer said his approach centered on building upon the house's established craftsmanship while bringing in a fresh perspective.
"I wanted the clothes to have a sense of lightness and ease, even when the construction behind them is incredibly complex," Cohen said.
Although the collection has been unveiled, its commercial direction remains unclear, including whether the garments will be offered primarily to private clients, through ready-to-wear sales, or both.
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