The once-sexy and outrageous Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show returned after a six-year hiatus, but fans are slamming the new staging of the event as “boring” and lackluster. Despite the brand previously vowing to ditch woke DEI polices, this week’s first show in years featured two transgender models, Brazilian model Valentina Sampaio and fellow transgender model Alex Consani, who took to the catwalk as the lingerie brand expanded on its efforts to be more “inclusive.” However, critics argue that the company’s push for “inclusivity” in recent years, including the use of plus-sized models, has failed to appeal to customers, leading to sliding sales.
Alex Consani walks the runway during the 2024 Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show at Duggal Greenhouse on October 15, 2024 in Brooklyn, New York. (Photo by Taylor Hill/WireImage)The iconic Angels of Victoria’s Secret were replaced by “ambassadors” such as controversial soccer player Megan Rapinoe, and the company even axed its long-time CEO in the wake of falling sales and a bombshell exposé that accused the company of misogyny, sexual harassment, and bullying. This lead one former Victoria’s Secret model, Bridget Malcolm, to publicly criticize the lingerie company’s woke rebranding, calling it a “joke.” Malcolm slammed Victoria’s Secret’s image revamp in a TikTok video, which included canceling the “Angels” supermodels and bringing on transgender and plus-sized models.
Valentina Sampaio was the first transgender model to represent the brand back in 2019. Very few people actually seem to notice his adam’s apple.Founded in 1977 by US businessman Roy Raymond, Victoria’s Secret was once a powerhouse in the lingerie industry, with hundreds of stores opening coast to coast. However, the tide began to turn in recent years as the event was judged to look like a relic of the past in the #MeToo era.
Models in the past strutted down the catwalk in 10ft white feathered wings, and tiny thongs, dominating the fashion world for weeks after appearing on the show. However, the company’s controversial body-positive rebrand in 2021 only added to the decline, as fans called the new show a letdown compared to its heyday, with plus-sized models and K-pop stars and “influencers” taking center stage.
So who does this work on? What customer segment does this appeal to?
— Nathan Hale (@homonatian) October 16, 2024
The impending train wreck that is the 2024 Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show…
With trans and plus-size models, nepo babies, and a random musical performance by Cher, the once-iconic event seems to be throwing everything at the wall to see what sticks.
Is it a bold reinvention,… pic.twitter.com/ldW3LFy76E
— Evie Magazine (@Evie_Magazine) October 15, 2024
Victorias Secret women’s fashion show features transgender model.
Alex Consani, a biological male, walked the runway despite the brand previously vowing to ditch woke DEI polices.
Tonight marked the first show in 6 years for the brand. pic.twitter.com/x7lDAn11jh
— Oli London (@OliLondonTV) October 16, 2024
Is featuring plus-sized ladies, men dressed as women, K-pop stars, influencers, and more the best approach to restore the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show to its former glory? Or is this a sure sign that a brand once defined as untouchable beauty has entirely lost its way?
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English (US) · 