For years, the Victoria's Secret Fashion Show has been a display in the world of fashion. However, in more recent times, it has faced criticism and calls for change. The 2023 runway show provided an opportunity to assess whether the brand has evolved in response to these concerns, or continued to stick with its traditional formula.
While brands such as Lizzo’s Yitty and Rihanna’s Savage x Fenty are booming due to their ability to provide inclusivity, Victoria’s Secret is, in my opinion, falling behind. According to glamour.com, in 2019, Victoria's Secret faced controversy following an interview with the company's Chief Marketing Officer, Ed Razek, in Vogue magazine. Razek made comments about not including transgender or plus-size models in Victoria's Secret fashion shows, stating that the show was intended to be a "fantasy" and that the brand had not considered casting transgender or plus-size models.
After facing controversy from their show in 2019, the lingerie brand has spent a large amount of money in an attempt to re-brand. The show was not a ‘runway’ but rather had the structure of a show or performance, and personally, I miss the runway aspect of these shows. From not having seating to viewing the show on a screen, I think it was not as successful as it could have been.
One of the primary criticisms of Victoria's Secret in recent years has been its lack of diversity and inclusivity. Victoria’s Secret has shown the audience multiple times that they are not adequately pursuing a line that is inclusive and diverse in range for all individuals. Historically, the brand has been associated with, what I would define, a very narrow definition of beauty, which has often excluded women of different body types, races and genders.
The 2023 runway show was an opportunity for Victoria's Secret to make a positive change. While there were a few improvements in the diversity of models compared to previous years, there is still a lot of work to be done in my mind. Critics also argue that these efforts are superficial rather than genuine. The brand has not done enough to address the deeper issues within its culture and marketing strategies. True body positivity should not just be a catch phrase and it should rather be reflected in the selection of models, the design of lingerie and the overall messaging of the brand. Models are not the only ones shopping at Victoria’s Secret.
In the end, the 2023 Victoria's Secret runway show left many viewers questioning whether the brand has truly evolved. While there was a small step toward body positivity by inviting Remi Bader, a plus-size influencer, to be an ambassador for Victoria’s Secret PINK, it is clear that the brand has not progressed in ways that other companies have managed to achieve. It is 2023 and the world is growing more conscientious of the importance of diversity. Victoria's Secret may need to change in order to stay relevant. The 2023 runway show may have been a step in the right direction, but it was far from a transformative moment for the brand.
By Miriya Carson, Contributing Writer
Graphic by Shae-Lynn Henderson