The Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show is returning after a four-year break. The news was announced during the retailer’s 2022 earnings call on Friday, March 3rd. According to The Hollywood Reporter, Victoria’s Secret CFO Timothy Johnson stated that the company would invest in marketing to support the new version of the fashion show, which is set to take place later this year.
The show’s return follows the cancellation of the 2019 presentation due to declining sales and growing criticism of the company’s branding and messaging. In the past, the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show has showcased the industry’s most popular supermodels, including Tyra Banks, Heidi Klum, Gisele Bündchen, and more, in elaborate lingerie ensembles.
However, in 2018, the company faced significant criticism for its lack of diversity and size inclusivity, which peaked when former CMO Ed Razek stated that “transsexuals” shouldn’t walk in the show. Despite Razek’s resignation in 2019, the criticism persisted and was compounded by the release of the docuseries “Victoria’s Secret: Angels and Demons” in 2022.
In response, Victoria’s Secret has undergone a major rebranding effort. In 2021, the company introduced the VS Collective, a group of accomplished women who aim to drive positive change. The group included actress Priyanka Chopra Jonas, soccer player Megan Rapinoe, and model Paloma Elsesser, who has challenged beauty standards in fashion.
In February 2022, Sofía Jirau became the first model with Down syndrome to star in Victoria’s Secret campaign, and the company has also collaborated with tennis star Naomi Osaka to promote self-love and self-care. With these initiatives, Victoria’s Secret aims to become the world’s leading advocate for women.
The return of the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show marks a new chapter for the lingerie brand, which has made a concerted effort to shift its image and become more inclusive and empowering for women. Whether this new direction will resonate with consumers remains to be seen, but Victoria’s Secret clearly states that it is committed to positive change and improvement. The fashion show will be a high-profile event, and it will be interesting to see how the company incorporates its new values into the event and how audiences receive it. Regardless, the return of the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show is a significant moment in the world of fashion and will undoubtedly be a topic of conversation for months to come.
