The Fall of Victoria's Angels?
It’s 2009 and the fierce competition to earn the next set of angel wings is at peak success, the girls’ fates falling into the hands of the voting public. Only one of the bombshells is to win their position on the famous catwalk through trials of intense boot camps and extreme photoshoots. The stakes are high, and week by week the girls are whittled down; brutal eliminations see tears and heartbreak as their dreams are ripped away from them. Unfortunately, only one has what it takes to be the next Victoria's Secret Angel.
Every year, the show introduced new women who were the epitome of beauty, from blonde babes to beautiful brunettes, each contestant was flawless. No traces of imperfection were evident on these ethereal creatures; no loose hair, no dimple nor bruise, no extra pound was to be seen! Each woman was like a replica of the next, the perfect Barbie doll. How could such physical sublimity ever be achieved by you or I?
The Victoria's Secret Show was held annually from the years 1995 until 2018, projecting Angels such as Tyra Banks and Gisele Bündchen into immense fame and international popularity. Each year, huge guest performers and celebrities lined the front row. However, in 2018 they received the worst ratings ever with their global viewers dropping by approximately 7 million after controversies circulated in regard to the brand’s ethos.
During an interview with Vogue in 2018, the Chief marketing officer for Victoria's Secret insensitively stated how “transsexuals” or “plus-size” models should not be included in the show. Ed Razek continued to explain that the vision of the show was supposed to be a “fantasy”, suggesting only the most stereotypical beauty was to be displayed. This ignited extreme backlash from the public who questioned the diversity and transgender rights within the company. He apologised for his comments and consequently resigned from his role in 2019. That same year, Victoria's Secret employed their first-ever transgender model, Valentina Sampaio.
Their November 2019 show was cancelled as they revealed the need to “evolve the marketing” of the brand, and the famous show left our screens for years in an attempt to redefine its message.
Fast forward to 2024 and Victoria's Secret announces its hugely anticipated revival in October. After 6 years, the Angels dusted off their wings and made their way back to the runway and household names such as Adriana Lima and Candice Swanepoel were set to make an appearance. A spokesperson commented the show would “reflect who we are today”, highlighting their redefined attitudes towards inclusivity and promotion of all genders, shapes and sizes.
However, the show has received mixed opinions online and has been labelled a “flop” by many spectators. People have branded the show as outdated, lacking the same glitz, glamour and sparkle of the notorious 2010s. Quick to criticise, remarks were made on the models’ monotonous walks suggesting they lacked personality and character which, in turn, led to a difficult watch for many. Others jumped to make a swipe at the so-long requested body diversity, classifying the show as a woke comeback.
Regardless, many felt the show was a nostalgic rejuvenation and were thrilled to see the greatest Angels of all time grace their screens once again. The models looked jaw-droppingly stunning from head to toe. The most notable outfits of the evening were adorned by Bella Hadid in her seductive red feathered arrangement and, her sister, Gigi Hadid’s majestically enormous pink wings.
The show has sparked media debate around whether lingerie fashion shows are a thing of the past, illuminating issues of female bodily exploitation and resurfacing old idioms such as ‘sex sells’; have these shows become a regressive culture that positions women as sex symbols? Similarly, the question of what we wear underwear for has become prevalent. Do we wear ‘sexy’ underwear to satisfy the male gaze, or do we wear it as an affirmation of self-love and body positivity? Many have considered whether lingerie brands have contributed to the glorification of what had been purely designed to lend women support and protection.
Some women insist the show is empowering and highlight that they are essentially professional athletes who train hard and dedicate long hours to sculpt and achieve the amazing bodies they take down the runway, thus they should be proud to show them off. These women should be seen as examples whose work ethic takes motivation and consistency. Yet the argument could be made that facial enhancements, pharmaceuticals and other unnatural procedures have become more easily accessible to these women, making us consider how authentic the ‘perfection’ is that we see. This circles us back to the fundamental question of whether the beauty standards portrayed are just too unrealistic, and if they are having a negative impact on women’s mental health.
Written by Emma Kemp
Edited by Holly Anderson, Fashion Editor
