The Angels are reportedly returning to the runway after a four-year break. That’s right, the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show is returning, however, it is slightly different this time. After years of scandals involving the brand’s toxic character, Victoria’s Secret is keen to show the world how they have evolved.  

But, first and foremost, why was the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show ever canceled in the first place?

As we all know, Victoria’s Secret is an American brand that sells a wide range of beauty items and lingerie. It has been on the market for more than 40 years, and each year, it attracts a large number of famous people, as well as millions of fans that tune in to watch some of the most stunning women walk down the runway. The shows were frequently divided into themed collections, including Christmas, circus, and Parisian nights. The focus, however, was always on the ladies, who were shaped into a single vision: an angel, regardless of the theme. 

The brand was founded by Roy Larson Raymond in the late 1970s after feeling ashamed about buying lingerie for his wife. However, Lex Wexner, the founder of L Brands, purchased Victoria’s Secret in 1982 and transformed it into a powerful retail force. By the mid-1990s, Victoria’s Secret’s supermodels were lighting up runways and the internet.    

Following the brand’s successful run, there was much debate about the brand’s unreasonable standards. Especially in 2017 when the #MeToo movement began. The curtain was finally brought down, along with the earnings, leaving the corporation grappling with how out of touch it had grown with women’s sense of self. But that wasn’t the end of it. Longtime Chief Marketing Officer Edward Razek was fired in 2019 for making inappropriate comments to Vogue regarding transgender and inclusive-sized models. The New York Times then released an exposé alleging a culture of misogyny and bullying. But the tip of the iceberg came when it was revealed that the brand’s previous CEO, Lex Wexner, had housed Jeffrey Epstein in his Ohio ranch for years, trafficking women and underage girls through the cover of modeling for Victoria’s Secret. The company indicated that it would reconsider its fashion show as a result of the situation, therefore the last time there was a runway was in 2019. However, following the change of CEOs in 2022, Victoria’s Secret’s future looked promising. Now, it seems like Victoria’s Secret is looking to make a comeback by sharing the same message about varied body types and comfort as everyone else.

Victoria’s Secret on Sept. 6 held a powder pink carpet on 34th Street in Manhattan to celebrate the new project. They announced its upcoming fashion show, which will debut on September 26th as a film (part-documentary, part-fashion show) titled “The Victoria’s Secret World Tour,” on Amazon Prime. According to brand president Gregory Unis, it is the ‘ultimate expression’ of its rebrand.   However, many individuals have begun to wonder what remains of the old Victoria’s Secret. Would there be fantasy bras worth millions of dollars? Are there going to be wings? Is there going to be a runway? 

As participants at the pink party quickly discovered, the answer to all of these questions was not a definitive no. The most noticeable reason was of course the celebrity guest list that walked the pink carpet. Movie stars, models with famous mothers, recognized comedians, people with social media personalities, New York designers, and many more attended the event. However, the true stars were the former angels: Adriana Lima, Candice Swanepoel, Gigi Hadid, Naomi Campbell, and others who represented the brand at its peak.

With a guest list like this, who wouldn’t be curious about a runway show? And who will walk in the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show if there is one?

According to a piece I read from the “W Magazine”, when Victoria’s Secret posted a video on Instagram publicizing the event, they tagged a few models who will presumably participate in “The Tour”. The group also includes Taylor Hill, Gigi Hadid, and Winnie Harlow in addition to legendary angels like Adriana Lima, Candice Swanepoel, and even Naomi Campbell. Amelia Gray, Lila Moss, and Iris Law appear to be three of the newcomers. Other models who haven’t been tagged but have been in previous advertisements for the company include Hailey Bieber, Bella Hadid, Paloma Elsesser, and Jill Kortleve may also show up. Victoria’s Secret has also lately hired actors like Priyanka Chopra Jonas and athletes like Megan Rapinoe and Naomi Osaka, so it’s feasible that they will also make an appearance in the event. Honey Dijon was also mentioned in an Instagram post about the show’s previous musical performers, but it’s possible that she’s just taking part as a model and not a musician. 

I’d like to conclude this piece by adding that, in my opinion, this type of change is excellent. However, I’m curious about the responses to the questions Lizzo posed: What if the ‘trends’ alter again? Do these companies’ CEOs value true inclusivity, or are they only concerned with profits?

Joana Janevska

Sources

Vogue.com-Victoria’s Secret Teased Its Upcoming “Tour” at Model-Heavy New York Fashion Week Fete

popsugar.com-Everything to Know About the Victoria’s Secret World Tour, Including Julia Fox’s Debut

today.com-Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show was canceled in 2019 — but now it’s back in a reimagined way

wmagazine.com-The Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show Returns in September