In spite of controversy, Victoria's Secret Fashion Show remains relevant

Last night, millions of people huddled around their television sets to watch dozens of 5-foot-10-inch models gracefully stride down a runway in oversized angel wings and exquisite lingerie. 

The annual Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show is easily the most-watched fashion event in the world — just last year, the show attracted a whopping 1 billion viewers worldwide, and last night’s show casually pulled in a virtual crowd somewhere in the millions. And for years, it’s been no secret why: the show recruits only the most famous models, often launching those chosen into “supermodel” status. 

The runway looks are delicate works of art unavailable for purchase in the brand’s retail stores — there’s a million-dollar bra, just to sum it up. Some of the biggest names in music sing, dance and interact on stage with the “Angels.” If anything, it’s a $16 million made-for-TV event more than it is a fashion show.

In an era of corporate “wokeness” where brands frequently attempt to promote diversity and realism, Victoria’s Secret is often criticized for being the black sheep. Unlike competitors such as Savage X Fenty and Aerie — the latter is actually preferred over Victoria’s Secret by today’s consumers — Victoria’s Secret has stuck with its tried-and-true, idealistic body images and over-sexualized campaigns. The brand’s profitability has struggled in turn, but the show still stands strong. And while the Angel roster has increased in racial diversity in recent years, other physical qualities represented in the show have stayed consistent: tall, thin and cisgender. 

In November, Victoria’s Secret Chief Marketing Officer Ed Razek stirred controversy for what many believed to be insensitive, backward comments on the brand’s casting choices. In an interview with Vogue, Razek admitted that being diverse and inclusive is not exactly the lingerie giant’s first priority. 

When asked about the company’s view on including transgender models in future shows, he implied such plans were nonexistent, as transgender women are not worthy of being “fantasized.” 

“Shouldn’t you have transsexuals in the show? No. No, I don’t think we should. Well, why not? Because the show is a fantasy. It’s a 42-minute entertainment special. That’s what it is," he told the magazine. 

The brand isn’t a stranger to controversy, but despite the conventional ideologies of beauty that Victoria’s Secret perpetuates, people are still watching. As Victoria’s Secret is an established brand with a big budget and undeniable prestige, it will take a lot to stop a tradition that’s been annually worshiped since the 90s. The models are stunning to a point where it’s more depressing to look at them than it is enjoyable. So why can’t we just look away? 

A lot of it has to do with taking the image Victoria’s Secret promotes with a grain of salt. Millennials have played an active role in expanding otherwise limited body types showcased in media — their loyalty to brands like Aerie is one example. Allison Stagaard, a School of Arts and Sciences junior, believes that as long as consumers remember that Angels maintain a strict lifestyle to create an idealistic image for the show, tuning in shouldn’t be unhealthy. 

“The idea of beauty has always been dependent on those defining it, and I think our current world has varied opinions on what that means,” she said, citing the voluptuous body type Kim Kardashian helped make appealing. “I don’t believe Victoria’s Secret is trying to imply that there is only one kind of beauty. Instead they are presenting a version of it.” 

Others maintain the argument that the brand should strive to include more body shapes and diverse women to remain relevant. Isabeau Touchard, a School of Arts and Sciences senior, believes the show is not only damaging to the people who watch, but also to models like Gigi Hadid, who recently called being in the show her childhood dream. 

“The show is definitely unrealistic and the older I get, the more I realize I feel bad for the models more than I do idolize them,” Touchard said, emphasizing the mental and physical strains Victoria’s Secret models go through in preparation for the show. “It’s an honor to be an Angel, but being an Angel should represent the female body realistically.” 

Despite the criticism, the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show isn’t going anywhere anytime soon. For now, we must learn to take it like Razek claims it to be: entertainment. Hopefully, the brand will learn from its mistakes — and dropping sales — and try to be more inclusive in the future.