After a six-year absence, Victoria’s Secret has brought back its iconic fashion show, signaling a bold attempt to reclaim its place in the spotlight. The return comes after a period of intense scrutiny and a desperate need to reinvent itself in the face of changing cultural landscapes and a dwindling audience.
The brand has made some significant efforts to embrace inclusivity, featuring a more diverse cast of models than ever before. This includes the groundbreaking inclusion of Alex Consani and Valentina Sampaio, the first transgender models to grace the VS runway, a move that directly challenges the past practices of the show’s former architects. Additionally, the show boasts more mid-size and plus-size models, a much-needed step towards inclusivity.
However, the brand still falls short of truly representing the spectrum of female beauty. The show, while more diverse, still heavily features slim, straight-size models, raising questions about the brand’s commitment to truly embracing a wider range of body types.
The event itself was a spectacle, with a star-studded lineup of performers including Cher, Lisa from Blackpink, and Tyla, who captivated the audience with their performances. Veteran supermodels like Kate Moss, Carla Bruni, Eva Herzigova, and Tyra Banks, all over the age of 50, also graced the runway, further adding to the show’s nostalgic appeal.
The question remains: has Victoria’s Secret truly evolved beyond its controversial past? While the brand has taken strides towards inclusivity, the return to the traditional format of the fashion show, with its glitzy lingerie and elaborate wings, suggests that the core concept of sexiness might not have changed as drastically as the brand would like to portray.
Chantal Fernandez, a leading voice on the evolution of Victoria’s Secret, aptly points out that the brand’s return to the runway mirrors a time when it set the standard for what women were expected to wear. In today’s world, where women are embracing more natural looks and rejecting rigid beauty standards, it remains to be seen if Victoria’s Secret can truly resonate with a modern audience.
This return is a high-stakes gamble for Victoria’s Secret. The brand must navigate the delicate balance between its iconic past and the demand for inclusivity and authenticity in the present. Whether this marks a true evolution or a nostalgic echo of its former glory remains to be seen. The brand’s success will hinge on its ability to convince a modern audience that it has truly changed, embracing diversity and inclusivity while retaining its signature allure.