For years, I was captivated by the spectacle of the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show—the glamour, the unattainable beauty, the rigorous discipline. I, like many women, found myself Googling workouts and diets, trying to tap into what made those Angels so special. But over time, we learned that the fantasy the brand was selling wasn’t just about lingerie—it was about an ideal of perfection that came at a much higher cost.
At its height, the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show became a cultural phenomenon. Millions of women tuned in, watching supermodels walk the runway in extravagant wings and glittering lingerie. Videos like #TrainLikeAnAngel workouts amassed hundreds of thousands of views. For a while, I was part of that captivated audience, buying into what former marketing chief Edward Razek called “the fantasy”—the spectacle of glamour, sex appeal, and a very narrow definition of beauty.
But that fantasy began to unravel. Behind the scenes, accusations of misogyny, harassment, and bullying came to light. Even more troubling were revelations about the brand’s former CEO, Les Wexner, and his connections to Jeffrey Epstein. The show was cancelled in 2019 amidst growing scrutiny, leaving many of us wondering if we had been complicit in supporting an image that was harmful to women all along.
Fast forward to 2024, and the Angels are back—but has anything really changed?
Victoria’s Secret has attempted to reclaim its former glory, this time with more diverse models and the return of original Angels like Tyra Banks, Alessandra Ambrosio, and Candice Swanepoel. They’ve even appointed Hillary Super, former CEO of Savage X Fenty, as their new leader—someone who comes from a brand known for its inclusivity. But despite these changes, I can’t help but ask: Is this rebrand enough to make us forget the brand’s toxic past?
I’m left wondering why these original Angels and high-profile celebrities agreed to return. With all we know now about Victoria’s Secret—the harassment, the body shaming, the exclusion—how can we, as women, celebrate their return? Are we supposed to be pacified by a few more inclusive faces, while the very women who were mistreated are left unaddressed? Is this rebrand really about empowering women, or is it just a glossy attempt to salvage a tarnished image?
Victoria’s Secret has tried to evolve, but can it truly shed its legacy?
It’s true that the show was visually stunning, and yes, seeing Tyra and the others on the runway brought back a sense of nostalgia. But I didn’t feel empowered. I felt conflicted. In a world where we champion body positivity, inclusivity, and respect, can a brand that was once the epitome of exclusion really make a comeback? Or are they simply trying to recapture the magic with some new faces, hoping we’ll overlook the very real accusations that have yet to be fully addressed?
Even with a new CEO and more diverse models, can Victoria’s Secret truly evolve? Or is it still clinging to the fantasy it built in the past, hoping that a rebrand will make us forget?
We’ve come too far as women to be pacified by glitter and wings.
As women, we’ve evolved. We know our worth, we celebrate our individuality, and we champion one another’s confidence, no matter our size, shape, or background. So while it was nice to see the show return, I’m not convinced. Empowerment isn’t about looking fabulous in lingerie—it’s about knowing who we are and demanding respect in a world that often tries to define us by outdated standards.
This isn't just about lingerie or a runway. It’s about learning from the past and shaping a different, more empowering future for the next generation of women.
So, I ask: What do you think? Has Victoria’s Secret truly evolved, or are we still being sold a carefully packaged fantasy? Can the return of Tyra Banks and a few more diverse faces really change what this brand represents? Or is it time to move on to something that truly aligns with the values we hold today?
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