October 21, 2024, 10:27 am | Read time: 4 minutes
The upcoming Victoria’s Secret Show promises to return to the original format and combine the familiar spectacle with contemporary updates. STYLEBOOK finds out what the creators have in mind and whether this is really necessary in 2024.
After a six-year break, the legendary “Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show” will return to New York City on October 15, 2024. Numerous top models, such as Adriana Lima, Tyra Banks, and Gigi Hadid, will be on the catwalk. For the first time in the show’s history, plus-size models, including Ashley Graham, will also walk the catwalk. This is the brand’s response to years of criticism of its narrowly defined beauty standards. This time, the production of the show is also exclusively in the hands of women in order to set an example for more “female power.”
Overview
The event will be musically accompanied by exclusively female acts: Music icon Cher and up-and-coming artists Tyla and Lisa will perform. The entire show will be broadcast live on Amazon Prime Video as well as on YouTube, Instagram and TikTok.
Teased comeback on Instagram
The brand announced the return back in May in an Instagram video, promising that the event will embody both traditional elements and a modernized vision. “We read the comments and heard you,” explained the underwear company. “The Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show is back and will reflect who we are today, plus everything you know and love – glamor, runway, wings, musical entertainment, and more!”
What made Victoria’s Secret so special
For years, being a Victoria’s Secret angel was considered a great honor in the fashion world. Only real top models were allowed to appear on the catwalk wearing the legendary wings and often bejeweled lingerie.
This concept earned the iconic fashion show both recognition and harsh criticism. In the past, it was said to convey an unrealistic image of women and utopian beauty standards: tall, slim, flat stomachs, sexy curves – diversity was nowhere to be seen. But now, the brand is setting a good example and allowing plus-size models and women of different skin colors to walk the catwalk.
Victoria’s Secret’s image is more than just tarnished
The return of the fashion show marks a significant step towards renewing Victoria’s Secret’s image after years of controversy. The brand canceled the 2019 show after controversial comments from then-marketing director Ed Razek, who did not want to see plus-size or transgender models in the show.
The documentary series Victoria’s Secret: Angels and Demons, released in 2020, also revealed numerous details about the brand’s decline and the promotion of unrealistic beauty standards. It also uncovered the close ties between L Brands CEO Les Wexner and Jeffrey Epstein, further damaging the company’s reputation.
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Do we really still need a Victoria’s Secret show in 2024?
It’s also about social progress and gender equality. The presentation of unrealistic body images has led to self-doubt and psychological problems in the past. Numerous studies show that the pressure to conform to an unattainable ideal can cause serious mental health problems. Moving beyond such fashion shows, we champion a healthier body image and alleviate societal pressure.
In this context, traditional underwear shows seem outdated and no longer relevant. The fashion industry needs to adapt to these new expectations in order to remain contemporary. Indeed, a wealth of ethical and innovative alternatives are emerging. The ascent of virtual fashion shows and inclusive campaigns is redefining industry benchmarks.