Victoria’s Secret: From Angels to Austerity
Ah, Victoria’s Secret, the brand that once had us all convinced that “winged angels” were a standard feature of the human condition. They began dressing models in their infamous underwear way back in 1995, and by 1999, the idea of winged angels graced their catwalks. You know, because when you picture heavenly beings, you immediately think of women in bedazzled bras with more glitter than a toddler’s art project.
These fashion shows were a spectacle—glamour, musical performances from the likes of Rihanna and Lady Gaga, and the pièce de résistance: the extravagant fantasy bras, worth millions! You had to wonder if they were designed to be worn or if they were just a really expensive investment strategy. “Look darling, I now own 100 grams of diamonds, and it’s uncomfortable to wear!”
The Steep Fall of the Brand
But alas, the glory days took a turn faster than a catwalk model on her heels. The last show happened in 2018, as it got hit with a tsunami of criticism. The former marketing director, Edward Razek, found himself in hot water with accusations of creating a “misogynistic environment.” Such an environment is best suited to a game of Monopoly, not fashion.
It didn’t help that the CEO, Les Wexner, was tied to Jeffrey Epstein—because nothing says “trust us with your lingerie” quite like an Epstein connection. It’s like trying to run a quaint little teashop and discovering you’ve inadvertently stocked it with Earl Grey and scandal.
Rihanna Shows Them How It’s Done
Enter Rihanna, the fashion savior, who launched her Savage X Fenty brand in the same year. With a sense of what women actually want, she showcased lingerie on models of all body types—something that Victoria’s Secret had stubbornly refused to embrace. It’s almost like they thought clothing wouldn’t cling to anyone who didn’t look like a walking Photoshop filter!
No surprise, then, that Victoria’s Secret, like a contestant on a talent show trying to keep up with an actual singer, had to rethink its strategy as sales plummeted. The idea that their shows were “pure fantasy” suddenly felt more like a fantasy from the 1950s!
Victoria’s Secret Claims to Be for Everyone
So here we are, post-reflection. Victoria’s Secret strutted back into the limelight with its most iconic angels, but they didn’t forget the curves this time around! Plus-size models like Ashley Graham strutted their stuff alongside the likes of Gigi Hadid, proving that real-life bodies have finally beaten the superficial filter.
And let’s not forget the debut of transgender model Alex Consani, who got her wings—and not just because she ordered them off the internet! It’s heartwarming to see such progress. Why, it’s like they finally brushed the dust off their “No Girls Allowed” sign and replaced it with one that welcomes everyone, as long as they fit in the underwear.
Now, can we talk about Kate Moss? Yes, she strutted down the runway—like a gust of wind reminding us that she’s still here, and thriving! Wearing Victoria’s Secret for the first time, it was like watching a legendary rock band play their biggest hits at a reunion. You clapped out of nostalgia, even if you longed for the days when they felt fresh and less… corporate.
Conclusion
In closing, Victoria’s Secret shows the power of reinvention. Lessons learned, wings on backs—let’s hope they continue to evolve beyond “what once was” and get to where “the future could be.” Because if there’s one thing we can all agree on, it’s that nobody should don a pair of glittery wings if they aren’t backed by genuine inclusivity—and perhaps, a dash of humor!
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Victoria’s Secret shows were once among the most watched fashion events. They have been dressing models in underwear since 1995, and four years later they came up with the idea of winged angels. If anything characterized their shows, it was grandeur – the brand spent huge sums not only on the models themselves, but also on the show itself. It used to include live performances (Rihanna sang at the shows, Lady GagaHarry Styles and this year for example Cher) and every year they also presented a unique fantasy bra, i.e. a luxurious bra covered with precious stones, the value of which was calculated at millions of dollars.
Steep fall of the brand
The last show the brand organized was in 2018, and thus the chain of its successful shows was broken. Victoria’s Secret faced a wave of criticism – their former marketing director Edward Razek was accused of creating a misogynistic environment (the whole case here), and the whole situation was not helped by the discussion of their then CEO Les Wexner’s ties to Jeffrey Epstein.
Rihanna showed them how it’s done
In addition, in the same year, Rihanna entered the fashion market with her Savage X Fenty brand, which has a much better sense of what contemporary women want. She showed off her lingerie on models of various builds, something Victoria’s Secret had previously refused to do.
Their marketing director proclaimed that the Victoria’s Secret shows were pure fantasy and saw no reason to change, after all, plummeting sales forced the brand to self-reflect and come up with a new concept that would better suit the times.
Victoria’s Secret claims to be for everyone
And that’s exactly what their show yesterday brought. Although the brand returned its most famous angels Alessandra Ambrosio or Adriana Lima to the catwalk, it did not forget about models with curves either. The most famous plus size model Ashley Graham, as well as Paloma Elsesser or Jill Kortleve, appeared on the catwalk wearing the brand’s underwear for the first time.
Transgender model Alex Consani or Valentina Sampaio, with whom the brand established cooperation years ago, also got wings for the first time, during her show breaks.
Victoria’s Secret invited some of today’s most sought-after models to the catwalk, such as Gigi and Bella Hadid (Gigi opened the whole show), but also the legendary Tyra Banks and Eva Herzigová, who worked for the brand twenty years ago. Supermodel Kate Moss also appeared at the show, wearing pieces from Victoria’s Secret for the very first time. Much like her daughter Lila Moss.
Photo: Masato Onoda/WWD, Gettyimages.com