Victoria’s Secret: The Tour ’23—Reimagining the Iconic Fashion Extravaganza for a New Era
Inside the Amazon Prime debut that spins Victoria’s Secret’s runway tradition into a diverse, cinematic showcase for 2023’s global creative voices.
Victoria’s Secret: The Tour ’23—A Landmark Fashion Reinvention
The iconic Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show has long been synonymous with spectacle, glamour, and a very particular vision of beauty. In 2023, however, the brand has reintroduced itself to the world with Victoria’s Secret: The Tour ’23, a bold, cinematic experience streaming on Amazon Prime Video in over 50 countries. Gone are the days of runway-only presentations; in their place is a documentary-style fashion journey, one that aims to uplift diverse creative voices and redefine feminine celebration for a global, modern audience.
From Runways to Cinema: Why The Tour ’23 Marks a Turning Point
The original Victoria’s Secret show, launched in the mid-1990s, quickly became a cultural juggernaut, shaping mainstream perceptions of what a supermodel was and could be. At its peak, the event drew millions of viewers, transformed models into celebrities, and dominated fashion headlines. Yet, in recent years, mounting criticism over representation, inclusivity, and outdated standards of beauty saw the once-unassailable runway event falter and eventually go on hiatus.
“The Tour ’23” represents a radical reimagining of this legacy. Rather than attempting to recapture the glory of bygone runway spectacles, this new project mixes artistry, social commentary, and fashion fantasy into a one-of-a-kind streaming event. It documents the journeys of twenty international creatives—the VS20—as they craft inspired, non-traditional collections from four cultural capitals: Bogotá, Lagos, London, and Tokyo.
The Global Creative Engine: Meet the VS20 and the Cities That Inspired The Tour
- Bogotá: The Colombian capital brings bold color, streetwise inventiveness, and layered cultural narratives to the showcase. Designers here experiment with textiles and silhouettes inspired by local traditions and urban vibrancy.
- Lagos: Nigeria’s fashion capital presents a fusion of Afro-textiles, innovative tailoring, and fiercely modern femininity. The works from Lagos challenge and expand Western fashion paradigms.
- London: Known for high-concept and fearless creativity, London’s output in The Tour ranges from avant-garde costume to punk-infused street style. Here, designers and artists push boundaries on stage and screen, blending heritage and reinvention.
- Tokyo: With its razor-sharp streetwear, pop-fluent visuals, and reverence for craft, Tokyo offers sculptural, narrative-driven pieces—and a rethinking of lingerie’s role within fashion.
Each city’s group of designers was guided by their unique sensibilities, working in close creative dialogue with both established and rising Victoria’s Secret models. This collaborative process is at the heart of The Tour’s narrative structure; cameras follow the designers’ ideation, challenges, and breakthrough moments, connecting viewers to the humanity behind the fantasy.
Behind the Seams: Filmmaking, Process, and Storytelling
Victoria’s Secret: The Tour ’23 is not a mere runway event but a hybrid of documentary filmmaking, artistic exploration, and high-concept fashion. The special employs a cinematic narrative lens, offering backstage access and candor rarely seen in previous VS productions. Viewers discover:
- Intimate stories and creative philosophies from the VS20.
- Behind-the-scenes moments of design—sketches, fittings, setbacks, and triumphs.
- The interplay between culture, identity, and artistry in producing modern fashion spectacle.
- Personal reflections from models and artists on issues of self-image, representation, and ambition.
The classic VS elements—fantasy, spectacle, and signature design details—remain, but are recast for a new era. Instead of a parade of wings and rhinestones, the film weaves together narrative threads, artistry, and a global tapestry of perspectives.
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Beyond Angels: Diversity and Representation at the Forefront
Victoria’s Secret has faced widespread criticism for exclusionary casting and narrow ideals. In the lead-up to The Tour, the brand took dramatic steps to change not just what it presents, but how it operates. Key shifts in 2023 include:
- Official retirement of the “Angel” moniker, ending the era where only a select few ultra-thin supermodels represented the brand.
- A new casting policy featuring plus-size, trans, and racially diverse models—joined by established stars and former Angels for continuity and contrast.
- The inclusion of female photographers, artists, and creative directors in both the VS20 and behind the scenes.
- Greater focus on self-expression, personal narrative, and genuine confidence over conformity and imposed standards.
This shift is not just cosmetic but structural: Victoria’s Secret now has a majority-female board and is vocal about “uplifting women in every stage of their lives”—a mission interwoven in The Tour’s storytelling and casting.
Star Power and Pop Culture Buzz
The Tour ’23’s world premiere dovetailed with New York Fashion Week, attracting major celebrities and generating plenty of social media attention. Notably, the film features appearances by international modeling icons—such as Naomi Campbell and Gigi Hadid—as well as a bold, headline-making live performance from Doja Cat.
Doja Cat’s experience at the premiere (specifically her discomfort with a VS slip dress, as mentioned on Instagram) became its own viral moment, sparking conversations around fashion vs. comfort, and pushing the brand to confront the realities of garment design on real bodies. This episode illustrates the new tension at the heart of the Tour: can VS be both sensual and inclusive? Is fantasy at the expense of comfort worth defending, or must it evolve?
The Shopping Experience: Merging Content and Commerce
Viewers inspired by the visual feast of The Tour ’23 do not have to leave their couches to shop the looks. Amazon has integrated interactive shopping features directly into the Prime Video experience for U.S. customers:
- Shoppers can browse and purchase a tour-inspired collection immediately after (or during) the special via the Amazon Fashion storefront.
- Amazon’s X-Ray feature enables real-time item discovery—viewers can tap or click while watching to explore featured looks and related products.
- While some of the more avant-garde or custom pieces remain exclusive to the documentary, thousands of styles across Victoria’s Secret and PINK are available on Amazon—including best-selling bras, panties, lounge, sleep, and swimwear.
Critical Reactions: Has Victoria’s Secret Succeeded?
Feedback from industry insiders, reviewers, and social media has been mixed. Some applaud Victoria’s Secret’s willingness to reckon with its legacy, bringing diversity, authenticity, and artistry into the limelight. Others express a sense of confusion or disappointment; for those craving the pure escapist energy of old, The Tour’s hybrid format and relative restraint may fall short of expectations.
Notably, while the project signals real progress, it also highlights the complex, ongoing debates around femininity, beauty, and empowerment:
- Some viewers question whether abandoning traditional runways means sacrificing Victoria’s Secret’s legendary energy and drama.
- Others insist the company still has further to go, facing periodic backlash online when posting images of bodies that don’t fit the previous, narrowly-defined standard.
- The show’s fashion isn’t universally shoppable, leaving some fans wanting for their favorite looks.
Despite these tensions, The Tour represents a clear statement of intent: Victoria’s Secret is no longer content to simply echo the past. Its future is firmly rooted in creative risk, multicultural engagement, and a broader, richer definition of what it means to be “sexy.”
What Sets The Tour ’23 Apart from the Old Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show?
| Feature | The Tour ’23 (2023) | Classic VS Fashion Show |
|---|---|---|
| Platform | Streaming (Amazon Prime Video) | Television broadcast, live audience |
| Main Focus | Documentary, global artistry, inclusivity | Runway spectacle, model pageantry |
| Models | VS20: Diverse, global, new and former Angels | Primarily “Angels”—tall, thin, mostly White |
| Cultural Scope | Bogotá, Lagos, London, Tokyo highlighted | Primarily American/European focus |
| Product Access | Integrated shopping via Amazon, some exclusive | Mostly promotional, items available in-store/online |
| Mission | Empowerment, self-expression, creative risk | Fantasy, spectacle, traditional beauty ideals |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is Victoria’s Secret: The Tour ’23?
It is a documentary-style fashion special produced by Victoria’s Secret, streaming on Amazon Prime Video. The event spotlights 20 international creatives and models, offering a reimagined, diverse, and cinematic take on the classic fashion spectacle.
How can I watch The Tour ’23?
You can stream the special exclusively on Amazon Prime Video in over 50 countries. U.S. viewers can also interact with the shopping experience directly within the platform.
Who participates in The Tour?
The project features the VS20, a group of 20 innovative, global creatives and designers from Bogotá, Lagos, London, and Tokyo, alongside a new generation of diverse models, plus notable former runway Angels.
Can I buy the designs featured in The Tour?
Some designs appear in an exclusive, limited-edition collection on Amazon. Shoppers have access to thousands of other Victoria’s Secret and PINK styles, but certain avant-garde or couture items are not commercially available.
How does The Tour ’23 address diversity and empowerment?
The program centers on a multicultural creative process, casting plus-size, trans, and racially diverse models alongside established Victoria’s Secret stars. Its narrative underscores artistic individuality, empowerment, and expansive definitions of femininity.
Key Takeaways from The Tour ’23
- Victoria’s Secret is embracing a new identity for 2023—one where diversity and global creativity take center stage.
- The fashion event as we knew it has evolved: The Tour ’23 functions as both art film and shopping destination, merging storytelling, style, and commerce.
- While not everything landed for nostalgic fans, the project has triggered essential conversations about comfort, beauty ideals, and what the future of fashion spectacle could be.
- The blend of legacy and innovation positions Victoria’s Secret at an intriguing crossroads, setting the stage for ongoing evolution in the years to come.
References
- https://www.aboutamazon.com/news/entertainment/victorias-secret-the-tour-prime-video
- https://www.townandcountrymag.com/style/fashion-trends/a45193709/victorias-secret-world-tour-amazon-analysis/
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ICrnG-0iSV8
- https://fashionista.com/2023/09/victorias-secret-the-tour-2023-fashion-show-review
- https://www.primevideo.com/detail/Victorias-Secret-The-Tour-23/0GU31P00429KG7MADT4C8BAKZ8
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