Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show: Empowerment, Critique, and the Evolution of Sexiness
From controversy and catwalks to calls for inclusivity, exploring how Victoria’s Secret’s iconic fashion show shaped—and stumbled in—the world of feminist debate.
Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show: A Runway of Empowerment—or Fantasy?
The Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show stood for decades as one of the most recognizable spectacles in fashion. Airing since 1995, the annual event shaped the cultural image of sexiness, hitting its stride with supermodels like Tyra Banks and Gisele Bündchen strutting down the runway in bejeweled lingerie and towering angel wings. Beneath the glamour, however, swelling debates about female empowerment, feminism, and inclusivity brewed—and ultimately contributed to the show’s abrupt halt in 2019.
The Rise and Influence of Victoria’s Secret’s Runway
At its peak, the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show captivated millions across the globe. Each installment was a media extravaganza, featuring:
- Globally renowned supermodels—often known as Victoria’s Secret “Angels”—who became cultural icons.
- Lavish sets themed around fantasy, glamour, and sexuality.
- Live musical performances from chart-topping artists, boosting the show’s spectacle.
- Magnetism for celebrity attendees and intense press coverage.
The show became pivotal in defining late-90s and early-2000s standards of beauty: tall, slim, predominantly white women in high heels and elaborate accessories. These images were everywhere, making Victoria’s Secret synonymous with a very specific—critics would argue, narrow—vision of desirability and womanhood.
Empowerment and the “Choice Feminism” Narrative
Victoria’s Secret, through its branding and the testimonies of its models, actively sought to portray participation in the show as empowering. “There’s something really powerful about a woman who owns her sexuality and is in charge,” model Karlie Kloss told media outlets, echoing sentiments repeated throughout the 2010s.
This message resonated with a form of choice feminism: the idea that a woman’s decision to dress as she pleases—and find confidence in her sexuality—can itself be an act of personal empowerment. For the brand and its models, the show symbolized:
- A platform to celebrate women’s strength, confidence, and control over their bodies.
- An environment where women, as professionals, could “be the best versions” of themselves.
- The idea that sexiness, when chosen by the woman herself, is liberating.
But the link between empowerment and spectacle quickly drew skepticism, especially as critics noted that these narratives aligned conveniently with the company’s marketing objectives and conventional—often oppressive—standards of sexiness.
The Backlash: Objectification, Exclusivity, and Outdated Standards
Despite its affirmations of empowerment, the show’s legitimacy as a feminist project unraveled under mounting cultural pressure. By the late 2010s, several major criticisms stood out:
- Objectification of Women: Many argued that the show fetishized and hypersexualized women for mass consumption, reinforcing the male gaze and minimizing models to physical ideals rather than whole people.
- Lack of Diversity: There was a marked absence of body shapes outside of the ultra-slim, tall ideal, with scarce representation for plus-size models, older women, or marginalized racial and gender identities.
- Resistance to Change: Comments by key executives, notably Ed Razek, rejected calls for inclusivity—infamously stating that “no one had any interest” in seeing bigger bodies or transgender women on the runway, claiming the show was “a fantasy”.
- Changing Cultural Norms: The rise of the body positivity movement and calls for authentic representation, especially among Gen Z and progressive millennials, rendered the brand’s image increasingly outdated and out of step with broader society.
This confluence of factors ignited a dramatic backlash, with widespread calls for greater inclusivity, intersectionality, and a redefinition of beauty.
#MeToo, Sexism Accusations, and Declining Popularity
The situation came to a head as broader societal conversations—spurred by the #MeToo movement—shifted attitudes around the objectification and exploitation of women in media. Victoria’s Secret, deeply intertwined with the image of the sexualized female body, became the focus of intense criticisms. Negative press intensified as:
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- Sexual harassment allegations and stories of a toxic workplace culture emerged from former models and insiders.
- The show’s TV ratings slid to record lows, reflecting waning public interest and growing discomfort with its message.
- Statements by executives reinforced perceptions of insensitivity and unwillingness to evolve.
These pressures prompted Victoria’s Secret’s parent company, L Brands, to officially cancel the show in 2019, acknowledging the pressing need to rethink both brand and marketing strategies.
The Dilemma of Rebranding: From Angels to “Empowerment”
Recognizing the cultural shift, Victoria’s Secret announced an ambitious rebranding campaign. The company began moving away from its signature “Angel” image—though literal wings still made sporadic appearances in later adaptations. The focus shifted toward:
- Diversifying the talent, featuring women from a broader spectrum of backgrounds, ages, and body types.
- Incorporating high-profile advocates for inclusivity and activism, such as athlete Megan Rapinoe, actress Priyanka Chopra, and transgender model Valentina Sampaio.
- Promoting narratives centered on empowerment, leadership, and authenticity—rather than fantasy or male-gaze sexiness.
While these efforts represented a step forward, many critics and audiences regarded them as belated—if not superficial—and questioned whether such deep-seated identities could truly transform overnight.
The Reality Check: Gen Z, Consumer Culture, and the Limits of Reform
Gen Z consumers—now a key demographic—expressed skepticism toward Victoria’s Secret’s attempts at feminist rebranding. Whereas previous generations of women may have aspired to emulate the Angels, today’s audiences are more likely to:
- Support brands with authenticity, diverse representation, and ethical business practices front-and-center.
- Seek out competitors like Rihanna’s Savage X Fenty and Kim Kardashian’s Skims, which are lauded for body inclusivity and breaking industry norms.
- Reject the underlying premise that lingerie and sexiness should be defined by or for others—especially male corporate ideals.
As Mary Angela Bock, a professor of digital media through a feminist lens, noted: “It’s really hard to turn a ship that has been about exterior perfection and suddenly say, ‘Oh, exterior perfection doesn’t matter anymore.’” Even as Victoria’s Secret invested in change, few were convinced it could shed its legacy so easily.
Controversy Remains: Ongoing Critiques and the Path Ahead
The 2024 return of the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show, streamed on Amazon Prime with an all-female performance lineup, reflected the company’s ongoing bid to prove its commitment to inclusivity. Yet, responses were mixed. Notable points included:
- The show did feature greater diversity by ethnicity, age, and, to some extent, body size, but there were still complaints about the lack of truly plus-size models on the runway.
- The company’s promise to abandon the “Angel” image clashed with the continued use of wings, seemingly signaling unresolved tensions.
- Many viewers and critics now compare the show’s evolution—and its struggles—to the parallel debates shaping beauty pageants and similar events, where questions of empowerment versus objectification remain open.
For all the attempts at reinvention, Victoria’s Secret’s legacy is inseparable from controversy. Ultimately, the company’s efforts may be less about true transformation than about competing to maintain market relevance in a rapidly evolving cultural landscape.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q: Why was the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show cancelled?
A: The show was cancelled after declining ratings, increasing backlash over lack of diversity and inclusivity, and criticism of the brand’s sexist and objectifying imagery.
Q: Did models in the show feel empowered?
A: Many models stated that strutting the runway and embracing their sexuality felt empowering to them personally, but critics have argued that this empowerment occurred within a narrow set of standards defined by the brand.
Q: What changes did Victoria’s Secret try to make after the backlash?
A: They shifted towards more diverse casting, featured prominent activists and athletes, and promoted messages of empowerment rather than sexiness for the male gaze. However, these efforts have had mixed reception in terms of their depth and authenticity.
Q: Are other brands doing better when it comes to feminist values?
A: Many observers and consumers view brands like Savage X Fenty and Skims as more authentic in their commitment to inclusivity, body positivity, and redefining beauty beyond traditional standards.
A Timeline of Transformation: Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show
| Year | Key Event |
|---|---|
| 1995 | First Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show held |
| 2001 | Viewership peaks; Angels reach cultural icon status |
| 2010s | Growing criticism over objectification, lack of diversity |
| 2018 | Ed Razek makes controversial comments about inclusivity |
| 2019 | Show is officially cancelled after ratings drop |
| 2024 | Show returns with effort at rebranding and greater inclusivity |
Looking Forward: The Ongoing Debate
The Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show remains a case study in the tensions between commercial spectacle, cultural norms, and feminist aspiration. Its history reflects both the enduring allure and the limitations of “empowerment” in a commercialized context. As fashion and society continue to evolve, the questions that the show raised—about representation, authenticity, and the meaning of sexiness—are far from settled.
Will Victoria’s Secret keep pace with a world demanding more inclusive empowerment, or will its legacy be forever bound to a bygone fantasy? The runway, and the debate, are far from over.
References
- https://www.thepostathens.com/article/2024/10/victorias-secret-fashion-show-controversy
- https://graziamagazine.com/articles/its-over-the-victorias-secret-show-is-officially-cancelled/
- https://www.the-independent.com/life-style/fashion/victorias-secret-fashion-show-amazon-prime-b2418886.html
- https://fortune.com/2023/11/04/victorias-secret-lingerie-rebranding-campaign-feminism-gen-z/
- https://www.thewalkmag.com/blog-2-3/kipagre65z80pjs1clilx3cdoax71y
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