Adam Selman Tells Us Victoria’s Secret

Episode Highlights:

On The Morning After the Show — Recorded just hours after his Victoria’s Secret debut, Adam reflects on the calm, joy, and sense of unity that defined the show’s atmosphere.

On Full-Circle Moments — Opening with Jasmine Tookes, who walked his first-ever show when he had his own brand, marked a personal and poetic return to where it all began.

On Collaboration Over Command — Rather than dictating looks, Adam co-created them alongside the models, inviting input and feedback to build genuine creative connection.

On Working with Carlyne Cerf — He calls their partnership effortless, built on laughter and instinct. “She finishes my sentences,” he says.

On Diversity with Intention — Rejecting tokenism, he focused on authenticity: “We’re all sick of ticking boxes.” Casting was rooted in real conversation, relationships, and shared respect.

On Joy as Practice — For Adam, joy isn’t decorative—it’s foundational. He sees joy as the most contemporary expression of creativity and leadership.

On Learning from Rihanna — He calls his years designing with her “the School of Rihanna,” a masterclass in courage, collaboration, and cultural fluency.

On Stepping Back to Move Forward — Time away from his brand gave him space to recalibrate. Through meditation and reflection, he found peace between Adam the man and Adam the brand.

On The Maker’s Mindset — A lifelong builder, he’s never afraid to fix what breaks. “You can’t be afraid of it. You have to own it, make it, fix it.”

On What’s Contemporary Now — For Adam, it’s joy, connection, and the courage to redefine beauty through authenticity rather than perfection.

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Notable Quotes: 

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“It was just so joyful, the entire thing. I can’t even describe the backstage — it was so calm, and everyone was like, it’s because of you. I really do try to keep as calm as possible. It was just such good vibes and such good energy.”

“When I met Zaldy, I didn’t know what world I was stepping into. That time taught me everything about collaboration and family.”

“I’m not afraid to get my hands dirty. I’ve always been a maker. If something breaks, we fix it right then and there.”

“Culture has changed so much. What worked then doesn’t always work now, and that’s exciting to me.”

“We’re not in the early two-thousands anymore, right? The brand is different now. The world is different now, and that’s a good thing.”

“I’ve always believed that optimism isn’t naïve—it’s a skill. It’s something you practice.”

“The most rewarding thing is seeing other people win. Watching everyone around me shine makes it all worth it.”

“The best ideas come when you’re quiet enough to hear yourself think. That’s something I learned the hard way.”

“This industry will teach you humility if you’re paying attention.”

“The difference between Adam the man and Adam the brand — I’m just in a much richer place now.”

“At the end of the day, I just want people to feel joy. Because if we can create joy, even for a minute, that’s success.”