While the fashion trends of the decade have seemingly shifted, there are more changes to be seen behind the curtains of the Victoria’s Secret Fashion show. Yes, waistlines are higher and bras have less wire, but the diversity of the models under the clothing is arguably the biggest change seen at Victoria’s Secret.
In 1977, Roy Raymond invented Victoria’s Secret, named after the ‘taboo’ nature of Queen Victoria. Raymond decided it was time for a change in women’s lingerie after a visit to the department store where he felt ‘unwelcomed’ by the store clerk and found difficulty finding a pair of underwear that was not dowdy. Created by a man for his wife, and therefore his gaze of desire with taboo innuendo, Victoria’s Secret has provided more appeal to the naked body than comfort.
Fast forward to the 2000s, 2014 to be specific, Victoria’s Secret featured models such as Adriana Lima with gorgeous, yet unattainable and unrealistic body standards along with the slogan “The Perfect ‘Body.’” This stirred up quite a bit of controversy, as Victoria Secret was originally created for the ‘housewife.’ At this time, the Victoria’s Secret Angels were nothing shy of 100 lbs and five feet, nine inches tall ‘perfect bodies.’ In 2019, the annual show was canceled due to controversy and consumer backlash.
In October of 2024, the show made an unforgettable revival featuring stars like Cher, Tyla and retired Tyra Banks to the event. Victoria’s Secret as a company has seemingly heard the cries of women everywhere and created a fashion show full of endless possibilities of diversity. From plus-sized models, to models with disabilities, to transgender models, Victoria’s Secret has redefined its standards, but are women really pleased with this?
The inclusion of transgender models has shown to excite the new possibilities for Victoria’s Secret’s future in diversity, but what does it mean for the story behind the brand? Originally created for the housewife, does the brand seem to be moving in the direction of simply sex appeal? Are they perhaps reverting to the early 2000s agenda of “perfect body” and “sex appeal” rather than gravitating towards the advertisement of their nursing bras and period panties? The inclusion of the not-so-sexy aspect of being a woman is what some women long for to be showcased; to feel sexy in your lacy nursing bra, or flow-free and feel beautiful in your comfy period panties, not to promote a sex-focused company.
How is Victoria’s Secret’s progression ‘for the people’ actually for the people? I simply cannot wait to see what this new inclusion and diversity of Victoria’s Secret can unpack for the future, but all in all, great comeback, Victoria’s Secret.