Victoria’s Secret has ditched its supermodels (or Angels as they were called), to focus on women empowerment, giving a platform to female athletes, activists and entrepreneurs.
The US lingerie giant has signed with seven women to replace the brand’s hypersexualised models, who are under scrutiny for their embodiment of male fantasy over an accurate representation of what women seek in undergarments.
Introducing Priyanka Chopra and the other new members, Victoria’s Secret posted on their Instagram page, “We are proud to announce an exciting new partnership platform, #TheVSCollective, designed to shape the future of Victoria’s Secret. These extraordinary partners, with their unique backgrounds, interests and passions will collaborate with us to create revolutionary product collections, compelling and inspiring content, new internal associate programs and rally support for causes vital to women.”
Among Priyanka Chopra’s cohorts are Rapinoe and Brazilian transgender model Valentina Sampaio. Rapinoe, a two-time World Cup champion, has been the face of American women’s soccer for nearly a decade.
“Often I felt myself on the outside looking in with brands in the beauty and fashion industry,” Rapinoe, a lesbian and activist for women’s and LGBTQ rights, said in a statement. “I’m thrilled to be creating a space that sees the true spectrum of all women,” she added.
“When the world was changing, we were too slow to respond,” said chief executive Martin Waters in an interview with the New York Times. “We needed to stop being about what men want and to be about what women want.” Victoria’s Secret plans to resume its fashion show in 2022, but in a very different format, said Waters.
The seven women, who form a group called the VS Collective, will alternately advise the brand, appear in ads and promote Victoria’s Secret on Instagram.
Victoria’s Secret has been embroiled in controversy for many years but came under the spotlight after ex Chief Marketing Officer Ed Razek said in 2018 that plus-sized and trans women were not a part of the ‘fantasy’ Victoria’s Secret was trying to sell. He had also used an outdated and offensive term for trans women.
Criticised for its objectification of women, Victoria’s Secret in 2019 abandoned its famed fashion show, a globally televised event that saw women parade down the catwalk in barely-there lingerie replete with gems, feathers and lace.
