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The Return of the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show: A New Era Begins
Let’s address the excitement head-on: The Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show is making a comeback, and it promises to be an exhilarating experience.
As we approached the evening of October 15, when this highly anticipated event was scheduled to be streamed live on Prime Video, anticipation was palpable. Since the last time models graced the runway in 2018, Victoria’s Secret has undergone significant transformations. The brand has changed ownership, embraced new leadership with a fresh vision, and shifted its focus towards inclusivity. Once known for promoting a narrow ideal of “fantasy,” Victoria’s Secret is now striving to represent a broader spectrum of individuals across various ages and body types.
The brand’s journey has been marked by controversies surrounding its workplace culture and criticisms regarding its unrealistic beauty standards. Issues such as allegations of toxic work environments and backlash over its portrayal of body image have been widely reported. Additionally, attempts at rebranding—such as replacing their iconic Angels with a more diverse Collective—have also made headlines. For those interested in exploring these narratives further, there are numerous resources available including books, documentaries like Angels and Demons, podcasts, and articles that delve into these topics.
The fashion show itself—a grand spectacle featuring elaborate costumes and performances from top artists—was put on hold in 2019 amid various controversies including former marketing executive Ed Razek’s infamous interview with Vogue. Despite past issues ranging from cultural appropriation to lack of size diversity, many fans continued to cherish the show. Thus, when news broke in May about its revival for 2024, there was widespread enthusiasm among supporters.
A Shift Towards Inclusivity: What Can We Expect?
This year’s iteration is expected to reflect significant changes both culturally and within the company itself. Historically resistant to evolving societal values regarding inclusivity—particularly concerning trans women and plus-size models—the brand now finds itself under pressure to deliver on promises made about embracing diversity. The central question became: How will this year’s show differ from those before it?
While executives were unavailable for interviews leading up to this event, they did release statements promising that “the 2024 Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show will provide exactly what our audience desires — glamourous fashion moments combined with entertainment through a contemporary lens that reflects our current identity.” This commitment signals an intention not only to entertain but also resonate meaningfully with viewers today.
A Glimpse into Event Highlights
Paving the way toward show day involved gradually unveiling details about performers such as legendary singer Cher alongside rising stars like Tyla and Lisa from BLACKPINK who are set to grace this year’s stage alongside returning supermodel Tyra Banks among others.
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The Evolution of the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show: A New Era of Inclusivity and Glamour
The Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show has undergone a significant transformation, embracing both established icons like Candice Swanepoel and Behati Prinsloo, as well as fresh faces such as Paloma Elsesser and Ashley Graham. In 2017, Graham famously advocated for greater diversity in the show by photoshopping wings onto her image, signaling a shift towards inclusivity that is now central to the revamped event. The show also retained nostalgic elements, including its iconic big-city settings—previously held in cities like Shanghai, London, and Paris—along with its signature sparkle and extravagant wings.
In a statement to People, the show was described as “a women-led articulation of this iconic property.” This reflects the leadership of Janie Schaffer, Chief Design and Creative Officer at Victoria’s Secret (who returned to the brand in 2020 after an earlier tenure from 2008 to 2012), alongside Sarah Sylvester, Executive Vice President of Marketing. Additionally, Hillary Super was appointed CEO in August after her time at Savage X Fenty. The new direction evokes comparisons with Rihanna’s groundbreaking lingerie line; for instance, both shows streamed on Prime Video and featured models representing diverse sizes and backgrounds.
In an interview with Vogue Business, Schaffer remarked on balancing consumer expectations with brand evolution: “Our consumers are huge fans who want to see a return to what they loved about past shows—the escapism and glamour.” This delicate balance is crucial as fashion entertainment reaches new heights.
The latest iteration showcased surprise appearances from beloved Angels like Adriana Lima alongside newcomers such as Alex Consani and Valentina Sampaio—the first trans models ever featured on this stage. The production included curve models like Graham and Elsesser among others who made their runway debuts. Notably impressive were Gigi Hadid’s animatronic wings that added an innovative twist to traditional designs.
This revival raises questions about its necessity given past criticisms regarding exclusivity associated with previous shows. Why resurrect something that had become synonymous with exclusion? While nostalgia plays a role in its appeal—and despite not knowing exact costs—it has been estimated that prior events reached up to $12 million in expenses.
The integration of product tie-ins allows viewers immediate access to shop items showcased during performances—a strategy reminiscent of Savage X Fenty—but it remains uncertain whether this will offset production costs or talent fees involved.
This investment may ultimately serve more than just financial returns; it represents an effort toward revitalizing public perception by embracing previously marginalized groups within fashion—a move likely reflected across future product lines.
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Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show 2024: A New Era of Inclusivity and Glamour
The recent Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show has sparked discussions about the brand’s evolution in the fashion industry. While the company has made strides by featuring plus-size models in its campaigns and runway presentations, it still faces criticism for its limited sizing options, which currently extend only to an XXL for underwear and DDD cup sizes for bras. The brand has committed to enhancing these offerings in the future.
This year’s show felt more cohesive compared to last year’s documentary-style film titled The Tour, which served as a preliminary introduction to the show’s revival. The latest event successfully blended elements of traditional Victoria’s Secret glamour with a more inclusive vision that reflects contemporary values.
Room for Improvement
Despite this progress, there are areas where further enhancement is needed. It would have been beneficial to gain insights into Joseph Altuzarra’s role as a new atelier designer-in-residence, hear from first-time models about their experiences, witness more elaborate stage designs, and see greater diversity—especially regarding models with visible disabilities. Additionally, insights from executives on their strategic efforts to advance the brand would have added depth to the presentation.
A Promising Future
Nevertheless, the 2024 Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show showed promise. The brand appears dedicated to investing significant resources into creating impactful moments that resonate with audiences today.
Cher Takes Center Stage
An exciting highlight was Cher’s performance; her presence always adds an element of excitement and nostalgia that fans appreciate.
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