Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show Returns With Promises of More Inclusivity

The Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show is back this fall after five years, amid controversies regarding the brand’s efforts on female inclusivity.

The brand revealed the return of its show on its Instagram, posting: “Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show is BACK and will reflect who we are today, plus everything you know and love—the glamour, runway, wings, musical entertainment, and more!” This announcement was led by Candice Swanepoel, a South African model and 11-year VS Angel. 

The Victoria’s Secret Fashion Shows began at NYC’s Plaza Hotel in 1995, but did not appear on television until 2001. Victoria’s Secret notably featured racially diverse models in its fashion shows, including Hispanic, Black, and Asian models. 

Despite a racially diverse cast, Victoria’s Secret has historically branded itself with tall, thin models. Its Chief Marketing Officer, Edward G. Razek, helped construct this fantasy, popularizing a narrow image of femininity for tens of millions of viewers.

While Razek was largely responsible for the fashion show’s success, he was also responsible for its eventual downfall. After the #MeToo Movement, the company made little changes to incorporate more diversity. Razek also made highly insensitive comments regarding his disapproval of transgender VS models. In addition to the CEO’s relationship with Jeffrey Epstein, controversies clouded the brand and led to the show’s declining ratings.

Meanwhile, Rihanna’s first Savage x Fenty Show in 2018 took the opportunity to include the diverse casting that Victoria’s Secret lacked. Plus-size model Louise O’Reilly tweeted “Prime example of why brands need to be careful of casting directors opinions. Especially when it’s a 70-year-old man who’s living in the past. Thank god @rihanna brought us @SavageXFenty this year with genuine attention & love of diversity in her branding.”

Prime example of why brands need to be careful of casting directors opinions. Especially when it’s a 70 year old man who’s living in the past. Thank god @rihanna brought us @SavageXFenty this year with genuine attention & love of diversity in her branding https://t.co/pdCk2ueSGq

— Louise O'Reilly (@StyleMeCurvy) November 11, 2018

Shortly after its cancellation, Martin Waters, Victoria’s Secret CEO, admitted, “We got it wrong. We lost relevance with the modern woman.” 

In August 2023, Victoria’s Secret posted a new set of values on its website, entitled “We Represent All Women.” The brand promised, “We have moved from promoting an exclusionary view of what’s sexy, to celebrating all women throughout every phase of their lives.”

Despite the company losing nearly half its value, Victoria’s Secret is determined to reflect these values in the upcoming show and “deliver precisely what our customers have been asking for.” The date of this year’s Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show has yet to be announced. 

Check out Victoria’s Secret’s 2023 “The Tour ’23,” an insight into the company’s recent efforts to create a more inclusive platform for its brand.