A lot of controversy has surrounded the comeback of Victoria’s Secret shows. 2019 marked the cancellation of these runway events previously, these renowned shows had defined the establishment as top models under the moniker of Angels” showed off the brand’s luxurious lingerie. However, the company failed to feature diversity in terms of body type and ethnicity, leading to the controversy that eventually put a stop to these shows. Known for the promotion of eating disorders including bulimia and anorexia, and coincidentally unrealistic body standards, the public started to criticize the runway event and the standards the incredibly skinny models encouraged. The idealization of these “Angels” proved dangerous to the many young girls who normalized and admired these models’ unhealthy diets. These toxic traits, as well as scandals including the former executive’s comments on trans models, as well as ties with Jeffrey Epstein, an infamous sex trafficker, ended the show.
Until now. Now, the cultural phenomenon has been restarted, rebranded as an Amazon Prime documentary called Tour 23. September’s red carpet event marked the brand’s introduction to the brand’s inclusive rebuild. Actors, models, and public figures including former Angels Gigi Hadid and Naomi Campbell, artist Doja Cat, and actor and model Priyanka Chopra were in attendance. After Victoria’s Secret launched its rebrand, diverse opinions have arisen. Some fans rejoiced at the idea of greater representation of body and race in lingerie and were grateful to see plus-size models, models with Down Syndrome, as well as disabled models, shine on the red carpet. In contrast, other fans felt outraged at the lack of the previously worn Angel wings, skinny bodies, and famous red carpet. These conversations also represent a bigger debate as to whether ‘promoting’ plus-sized models only replaces the promotion of the opposite end of the spectrum, skinny bodies, with both “extremes” being unrealistic;of thus, some argue inclusivity is getting “out of hand”. However, many enjoyed and celebrated the brand’s celebration of the models ‘unreachable’ beauty, transmitted through the old runway shows; the fact that these models were “Angels” and “incomparably beautiful” is what made the brand special. Fans bought into the notion that wearing Victoria’s Secret lingerie made them feel like an angel. This stated, most acknowledged the problem with portraying beauty as predominantly tall, white, and skinny.
With regards to the brand’s reformation, former Angel Adriana Lima commented that she felt very happy “that women now are being celebrated in the different stages of their life”; beginning modeling for Victoria’s Secret in her teens, she reflected on her gratitude that she could again represent the brand with the body of a mother.
Bibliography:
Reyes, Vicky. “Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show 2023: Dónde Verlo y Todo Lo Que Necesitas Saber.” Glamour, Glamour, 11 Sept. 2023, www.glamour.mx/articulos/victorias-secret-fashion-show-2023-donde-verlo-cuando-sera-y-mas.
Loaiza, Melissa Velásquez. “El Famoso Desfile de Moda de Victoria’s Secret Está de Regreso, Pero No Como Lo Conoces.” CNN, Cable News Network, 26 Sept. 2023, cnnespanol.cnn.com/2023/09/26/desfile-moda-victorias-secret-regreso-trax/.
Palao, Alberto. “El Desfile de Victoria’s Secret Vuelve Este 2023 Sin Ángeles y Adaptado al Siglo XXI: Moda.” LOS40, LOS40, 6 Mar. 2023, los40.com/los40/2023/03/06/moda/1678124430_427262.html.