The Victoria Secret Angels Are *Finally* Making A Comeback
By: Kamilyah McMiller
In May, Victoria’s Secret announced that it was “reintroducing” its iconic fashion show on October 15th in New York City, New York. The highly anticipated event started in 1995 and was shut down in 2019 because of accusations of not being inclusive, and pertaining misogynistic values towards their models. While this was disappointing to many of its decades of viewers, the show was desperately in need of a revamp to its branding image.
The show’s original target audience was advertised for model-like women or the ideal “Victoria’s Secret Angel” that dresses in lingerie and costumes up and down the runway. This created unrealistic expectations and insecurities for their consumers as they started carrying more sizes. They didn’t even have a plus size campaign model until after the cancellation in 2019, Ali Tate Cutler. “I never expected that I was going to see an image of myself on the wall next to these top supermodels that I was looking up to since I was a little girl,” Cutler said (Allure). Although we love to see a brand being self-aware and changing its actions, they should have received the feedback sooner. As the brand now competes with other brands such as Aerie and Savage X Fenty that cater more to all-sized women’s needs.
Victoria’s Secret’s previous chief marketing officer, Ed Razek was also thrown into the heat of backlash in 2018. Ratings of the show started to raise questions about the plus-size and LGBTQ+ community and why they weren't even in consideration to be featured in their show. “Trans and plus-sized women do not exemplify the “fantasy” that Victoria’s Secret is trying to sell,” Razek said (The Hollywood Reporter). While it’s a struggle to dissect that statement, he shouldn’t have called his one-sized women models “fantasies”. In modern-day many types of women wear the lingerie line and are more than just a figment of the male dream. Razek stepped down from his position with the brand due to the statement and honestly, it was a long time coming.
Hence, the criticisms of the show, a few of the original cast we remember are coming back for another debut on the runway. Candace Swanepoel, Gigi Hadid, Tyra Banks, Mayowa Nicholas, Taylor Hill, and Imaan Hammam are confirmed returners. Hill said, “My hope is that girls are able to see themselves being represented and feel like they are part of the VS family” (Victoria’s Secret). Also, two new models will join the angels such as Miami-based model Devyn Garcia and Paloma Elsesser. Both new models confessed that they decided to join the show to support Victoria’s Secret’s efforts to create a better representation of women. Elsesser recalls that the new show is creating a “fresh face” and changing the way we define what’s beautiful. “The show is coming back in a way that fosters an uplifting environment for women and I’m proud to be part of this revitalization,” Garcia said. So, it looks like Victoria’s Secret is changing their model beliefs to a softer, and better brand.
Models aren't going to be only upgraded feature of the show. Switzerland-based fabric company Forster Rohner, is also adding in their efforts to create more luxurious designs for their lines. Rohner has been working with the company to construct attire for over 35 years and dedicates hours to their hand-made designs. “We wanted to give Victoria’s Secret designs that match their personality and character,” said Rohner Atelier, Seraina Ryffel. These designs include decades of bombshell fabrics such as iconic faux fur feathers, rhinestones, and many streams of glittery.
During the fashion show, customers will also be able to purchase what the models are wearing for the first time. Since the show will take place at the flagship store and headquarters in New York City, Victoria’s Secret wants to include its fans in the event. New VS sport and holiday intimate collections will be a few seasonal lines the brand will convey to early shoppers.
Victoria’s Secret consumer image has been through a rocky title. With the brand being around since 1977 and still one of the largest lingerie lines in the world, they should’ve revolved as the world wearing their products did. We hope that they can continue down this positive path to their rebranding while still ensuring fans (like us!) are still entertained by the glamour we remember and loved growing up.
So save the evening of the 15th of October and watch the new nostalgia of the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show.