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No Angels in the Runway: This Year as Victoria’s Secret Show Gets Cancelled, Here’s Why

No Angels in the Runway: This Year as Victoria’s Secret Show Gets Cancelled, Here’s Why

Nov 23, 2019   •   Kyzia Maramara

The Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show was once a pop culture phenomenon, a much anticipated televised event by millions of viewers around the world. The brand has cleverly incorporated in their promotions a great mix of stunning and well-known runway models (the Angels), stage design, a great mini-concert from the hottest artists, and of course, beautiful lingerie every woman would want.

All of that isn’t happening this year with the show getting cancelled. “Cancelled” as in it won’t continue. But we could also probably say that it’s “cancelled,” as in millennial speak for “it doesn’t matter anymore.” Here’s why:

Victoria’s Secret needs to “evolve its messaging”

No angels will be in sight this year as Victoria’s Secret’s parent company L Brands announced that they’re canceling 2019’s Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show saying it was part of a move to “evolve the messaging [of the company].” Fortune reports that since Q4 of 2016, Victoria’s Secret sales have steadily been declining to reach an all-time low net loss of $252M this November as compared to last November’s $42.8M. Are we at all surprised?

 

The brand has outdated ideas on what it is to be a woman in this day and age

In an era where differences are embraced and accepting diversity is being preached everywhere, Victoria’s Secret and their outdated ideas stick out like a sore thumb. The brand continues to be out of touch, selling sexy lingerie which, over the years, has become more obvious that they’re obviously targeting to fulfill men’s fantasies rather than endorse comfortable products for women. Ultimately they have to keep abreast with today’s society and realize that it’s not about looking good for the men, it’s about being comfortable in your skin.

 

Where is body positivity?

Since 2005, we’ve seen hundreds of slender “perfect” models walk the runway and strut their stuff for the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show but lately, the brand has been missing the bullseye with the current emphasis on body positivity. More and more brands are starting to acknowledge that the perfect woman isn’t someone with the smallest waist size, flawless, and will look good in anything. News flash, every woman is unique in physique and character.

Back in 2018, Victoria’s Secret’s then-chief marketing officer Ed Razek has told Vogue that plus-size models and transsexual models should not be cast since they don’t fit the show’s mold and “because the show is a fantasy.” Apparently these types of women don’t fit their fantasy.

 

There are other inclusive brands in the market

Rihanna’s Savage x Fenty has been breaking molds and being lauded for including plus sizes in her collection. The Savage x Fenty fashion show saw plus-sized models of every skin color. Even before Fenty’s lingerie line was launched, Rihanna’s Fenty Beauty makeup line has been hailed as having one of the best foundations with over 40 shades for women. American Eagle Outfitter’s underwear brand Aerie has likewise been receiving love for being able to represent many women. Just look at their inspiring Instagram page!

 

They’re overpriced

Other American companies like Lively or ThirdLove offer pretty lingerie and underwear at a much more affordable price and for women of all body types too. And if women still don’t want to shell out too much cash, there are multiple start-up companies out there who offer even cheaper prices, they can even be found easily on Instagram.

 

The controversy with Epstein

L Brands chief executive Leslie Wexler has close ties with child sex trafficker Jeffrey Epstein who died early this year while in jail. Epstein was known to present himself as Victoria’s Secret scout to reach younger women, victims he would “groom”. Epstein is also known to have managed Wexler’s money for several years and has been able to become ultra rich in doing so. This scandal has hurt Victoria’s Secret’s reputation as well as the people running it. Although Wexler has said that he has already cut ties with Epstein years ago, grave sins like that aren’t something the public easily forgets.

 

Even VS Angels and models think the standards are too unrealistic and too much

Since it’s extremely difficult to maintain the kind of body that is required to be a Victoria’s Secret Angel, there is undoubtedly too much pressure on the models. Bella Hadid, a VS model, shared earlier this month that the most comfortable and sexy she felt modeling lingerie on the catwalk was with Rihanna’s Savage x Fenty show because Riri instructed her to model in whichever way she felt comfortable.

Karlie Kloss told British Vogue that she stopped working with the brand because it wasn’t “reflective of who [she is] and the kind of message [she wants] to send to young women.”

If these prestigious models are turning their back on the brand, you would have to be blind to not see that there’s something wrong.

 

If Victoria’s Secret ever wants to make a comeback, they know what to do

How hard is it to create a brand that includes a plus-size line modeled by appropriate women or even create a diverse set of new Angels? Why is it taking Victoria’s Secret so long to do this? The show has been a year-end tradition for a lot of people. It was spectacular, it was a celebration of art, music, and fashion, but as much as we would miss it, it’s time for the brand to recalibrate. Only then could they have the hope of coming back with branding that works in this day and age, representing women as they deserve.

What do you think about the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show getting cancelled? Share your thoughts with us below!


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Kyzia spends most of her time capturing the world around her through photos, paragraphs, and playlists. She is constantly on the hunt for the perfect chocolate chip cookie, and a great paperback thriller to pair with it.

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