Victoria’s Secret fashion show leaves the industry

Jan. 12, 2019

By Melanie Fallas
Staff Writer

After months of speculation, the lingerie company Victoria’s Secret announced in November that it would not be hosting its annual runway show in 2019.

Stuart B. Burgdoerfer, executive vice president of Victoria Secret’s parent company L Brands, spoke about the cancellation in a phone call with analysts on Nov. 21, according to Women’s Wear Daily.

Burgdoerfer said the company, which began hosting the fashion show in 1995, wants to focus more on its marketing and consider how it can further improve.

Fashion and marketing teacher Mrs. Weckstein said she believes the company’s decision to cancel its runway show is about more than just marketing. She said Victoria’s Secret has faced criticism for its lack of inclusivity.

“If they’re not going to diversify, then they should [have] cancel[led] it because it’s not right to view people as outsiders. Of course, it was popular, but they needed the diversity,” Weckstein said.

Although she agrees with the decision, Weckstein said she believes the cancellation may negatively affect the marketing of the Victoria’s Secret brand.

“With the show, they were able to display the traditional wings, which is used as their logo sometimes. So, what would they do now?” Weckstein said. “They can’t keep using them if [consumers] aren’t being exposed to them anymore.”

Senior Heloise Franca said she was disappointed when she heard the news of the cancellation.

“I loved watching the show very much, and it is so unfortunate it had to get canceled. It was something I looked forward to every year,” Franca said.

She said the runway show helped the brand with its sales.

“Millions of people tuned in every year to see what new designs the brand would come out with, so it obviously has to have at least some impact,” Franca said.

The cancellation comes months after the Victoria’s Secret took noticeable actions to appear more inclusive, collaborating with British lingerie company Bluebella, featuring plus-size model Ali Tate Cutler in its campaign and hiring its first openly transgender model Valentina Sampaio for its athletic line.

Franca said although she understands why the LGBTQ community and other women may have taken offense at not being widely represented in the show, she believes the brand should not feel pressured to make any major changes.

“They aren’t obligated to hire [transgender and plus-size models] because the show has been working perfectly fine with the models they currently use,” Franca said.

She said all companies have the right to choose who they want to hire and that the brand’s models, known as Angels, do not define female beauty.

“The models definitely raise the standards of women[’s] imagery in society. However, I believe the ‘perfect’ woman does not exist,” Franca said.

Junior Sara Zequiri, a fan of the brand’s models and the show, said Victoria’s Secret has been doing a good job with its representation and that audiences should not be so quick to get offended.

“I don’t think the models create a far-fetched image of perfection. They look like any other runway model. Not everyone can be [represented],” Zequiri said. “A lot of them have started their own [businesses], so I think they’re good role models.”

Senior Yaren Ozbay, a member of the Gay Straight Alliance Club, said she agrees with the cancellation of the fashion show and believes Victoria’s Secret deserves the backlash it has received due to its lack of diversity.

“The industry was not incorporating different models. All the women are the same, and there was no diversity,” Ozbay said.

She said the company should hire models with varied body types, backgrounds and identities because all people should feel included and represented.

“Every human should feel like they can be part of anything regardless of their sexuality or gender identity,” Ozbay said.

Weckstein also said she would like to see the brand represent everyone, including disabled women, whom she believes would open a new market for the brand.

“A lot of fashion companies now include people with disabilities,” Weckstein said. “People with certain [physical impairments] as well as diseases are being included, so I’d like to see them try that.”