The Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show, once the very picture of glamour and decadence, was at its peak one of the most hotly anticipated events on the fashion schedule. It was a tribute to beauty, opulence, and escapism, with supermodels parading down the catwalk in ornate lingerie, towering heels, and those now-famous wings that became shorthand for the entire brand. However, in more recent times, the show has encountered a string of controversies, criticisms, and even an outright cancellation.
This leads us to ask: how did this legendary event ascend to such heights, only to later stumble and ultimately pave the way for its possible resurgence? Let’s now find out the answer in detail and know about some interesting facts.
Photo credit: CNN
The Ascent of Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show: Where Fantasy Unfolds
Debuting in 1995, the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show swiftly earned its place as the lingerie giant’s premier event. It wasn’t merely a display of lingerie; it was a grand spectacle, featuring the likes of Tyra Banks, Heidi Klum, Adriana Lima, and Gisele Bündchen strutting down the catwalk. The show combined lingerie and swimwear collections with extravagant performances, all set against a backdrop of dazzling lights, special guests, and lavish stage designs. The “Angels,” as the supermodels were lovingly called, were the main attractions, embodying beauty, strength, and allure.
Victoria’s Secret expertly fused fantasy with fashion. The lingerie, often rich and ornate, was complemented by daring performances and A-list musical guests who injected a dose of pop culture into the proceedings. Imagine a fusion of the red carpet and the runway, where fashion intersects with music and fantasy collides with the real world.
Photo credit: InStyle
The Controversial Shift: A World Evolving Around Victoria’s Secret
As time went on, though, the show started to draw more and more criticism. People pointed out that the brand wasn’t inclusive, since it mostly featured white, very thin models who all fit a pretty narrow idea of what’s considered beautiful. With the growing movements for body positivity, fashion diversity, and a push for real inclusivity, Victoria’s Secret’s old-fashioned beauty standards started to look pretty tone-deaf and disconnected from reality. Thanks to social media, which can amplify voices, these criticisms of the brand got a lot louder, very quickly.
On top of that, the show got linked to some questionable marketing practices and the promotion of totally unrealistic body standards. The whole focus on the “Fantasy Bra,” these million-dollar wings, and the highly sexualized lingerie took away from any serious talk about empowering women. It all came to a head when former executives and models started speaking out about the company’s internal culture, revealing the true extent of the problem.
The 2018 show stirred the pot, with one controversy after another. Ed Razek, who was the head of marketing at the time, made some pretty inflammatory comments, saying the brand would never use transgender or plus-size models. That ticks off a lot of people, especially those pushing for a broader definition of beauty.
After that, viewership started to drop, and following a pretty boring 2018 show, Victoria’s Secret pulled the plug on the fashion show entirely in 2019. It felt like the end of an era, and a lot of folks questioned whether the brand could ever bounce back.
Photo credit: WWD
The Victoria’s Secret Story: Falling Behind in a Shifting Fashion Landscape
Once a dominant force in fashion, Victoria’s Secret started to fade from relevance after its TV show was canceled. While the industry was increasingly embracing diversity, authenticity, and inclusivity, Victoria’s Secret seemed out of touch, stuck in a bygone era. Rihanna’s Savage X Fenty, on the other hand, seized the moment. By showcasing a diverse group of models, inclusive sizing, and marketing that truly empowered women, Rihanna’s brand struck a chord with today’s shoppers. Her focus on real beauty and building self-confidence won her legions of fans, while Victoria’s Secret clung to its old, tired image.
Meanwhile, the MeToo Movement was changing the way women were portrayed in the media, prioritizing their agency over objectification. The fantasy world Victoria’s Secret had so carefully built just didn’t resonate with people the way it used to.
Photo credit: HELLO! Magazine
A Fresh Start Since 2023-24: How Victoria’s Secret Embraced Change
Even with all the upheaval, Victoria’s Secret saw a ray of hope. In 2021, the company made a big change, trying to become relevant and true to itself again. Instead of just having the Angels, they brought in a new group of ambassadors. These women were models, activists, and others who showed different kinds of beauty. Well-known figures like Priyanka Chopra, Megan Rapinoe, and Paloma Elsesser took the place of the usual Angels. This showed a move toward including everyone and making women feel strong.
Victoria’s Secret also changed how they see lingerie. The new idea was not about having a perfect body but about feeling good in the body you have. By accepting different body types, skin colors, and life stories, the brand started to match today’s ideas of being yourself and showing who you are.
On top of that, the spotlight returned to looking at lingerie as a way to express self-love and feel good, rather than just something to appeal to others. The brand’s growth is reflected in its choice of diverse models, such as plus-size and transgender individuals, proving that beauty and confidence aren’t limited to a single mold.
The fashion shows might not be back in full swing, but the brand is changing. Victoria’s Secret’s future seems much more promising, focusing on building a diverse, welcoming, and uplifting space for everyone who shops there.
Photo credit: FACES Magazin
The Future of the VSFS: What’s Next?
What does the future hold for Victoria’s Secret? Can it genuinely transform itself, or will it remain a symbol of a bygone, and somewhat troubled, era? If the brand persists on its current journey toward inclusivity and empowerment, a significant revival is within reach. Re-establishing customer trust is a gradual process, but with fresh leadership and a dedication to diversity, Victoria’s Secret could re-emerge as an emblem of confidence, strength, and beauty in all their forms.
The landscape of the lingerie and fashion industries is evolving swiftly, and consumers are more discerning than ever. The brands that flourish are those that mirror the current state of the world, not its condition from decades past. As Victoria’s Secret continues to evolve, its re-emergence has the potential to be as groundbreaking as its ascent to fame—this time, with wings that uplift every woman, not solely the supermodels.
Ultimately, the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show may have lost its standing as the premier lingerie event globally. However, like any enduring legend, it has the potential to make a comeback—this time, with a renewed emphasis on the beauty of variety, acceptance, and individuality. Although the iconic wings might have transformed, the legacy of Victoria’s Secret might very well be embarking on a fresh beginning.
Photo credit: Instagram
FAQs about Victoria’s Secret Fashion
Q1. What led to the cancellation of the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show?
The famous event was called off in 2019 because fewer people were watching it. There was also increasing criticism about the show’s lack of diversity. Additionally, societal views on body image and inclusivity were changing, which influenced the decision.
Q2. What caused Victoria’s Secret to become less popular?
Victoria’s Secret’s emphasis on a single standard of beauty, featuring only slender, white models, became less relevant. Consumers started to ask for more variety and body-positive representation in fashion and lingerie.
Q3. What’s Victoria’s Secret doing to fix its reputation?
Victoria’s Secret is changing how it does things. Instead of having “Angels,” they now have a diverse group of ambassadors, like Priyanka Chopra and Paloma Elsesser. They’re also focusing on making their clothes comfortable and their marketing more inclusive and empowering.
Q4. How did brands like Savage X Fenty challenge Victoria’s Secret?
Savage X Fenty pushed for body positivity, inclusivity, and diversity. This forced Victoria’s Secret to think differently about their old marketing and the kinds of products they were offering.
Q5. Will we ever see the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show again?
It’s probably not likely that the old-fashioned fashion show will come back. However, Victoria’s Secret has been moving towards more inclusive, digital-first campaigns since 2024 to better reach today’s shoppers.
Photo credit: ZALORA Indonesia
Author: Raja Bahar Khan Soomro
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