Written by Niamh Tunstall
The Victoria’s Secret Runway Show has been a legendary aspect of the fashion world for years, showcasing luxury lingerie and underwear that became considered the most sought-after in the world. After its demise in 2019 with the show’s cancellation, it’s finally returning to our screens and newsfeeds. After its major rebrand in 2018, the brand continues to seek out new ways to adapt around social changes and new upcoming ideas. Will the show’s return be as iconic as the years of the Victoria’s Secret Angels, or even more so?
The Victoria’s Secret brand was first introduced to global attention in 1977 by husband and wife, Roy Raymond, and Gaye Raymond – birthing a new dimension to the broad industry of fashion. The name became an echo globally to a lifestyle of luxury and wealth, allowing women and men to share a personal experience that suited their textile needs whilst also maintaining a status of grandeur.
The name ‘Victoria’s Secret’ is something recognisable globally, and it was chosen for this sole purpose. Raymond revealed that he chose the name ‘Victoria’ in the first part of the brands name to remind users of the Victorian era, a period of timeless, refined aesthetics and strict societal norms particularly in regard to femininity and fashion – giving buyers a distinct resemblance of elegance and decorum, characteristics that Raymond sought to embed into the brand’s identity. The second part of the company’s name, ‘Secret’ gives an air of mystery and layer of intrigue to the products being sold. Both Roy and Gaye chose this specifically to replicate the private and personal nature of shopping for their products and provide a flavor of forbidden, appealing exclusivity.
The globally renowned fashion shows we all know and love, associated with the Victoria’s Secret brand, began in the mid-1990s and grew into a worldwide phenomenon, being televised, and broadcasted all over and drawing in millions of entranced viewers. Their innovations and expansive methods for the business transformed lingerie presentations into newly extravagant performances featuring top runway models (the Angels) and performances by world-famous musicians.
The Victoria’s Secret social media account recently posted a new image with the caption: “The Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show is back and will reflect who we are today, plus everything you know and love – the glamour, runway, wings, musical entertainment and more. Stay tuned… it only gets more iconic from here”. With this announcement, the fashion world has returned to the former buzz that we saw during the era of VS Angels as the models dust off their wings ready for the catwalk.
The date is yet to be confirmed when the show will be taking place, but we do know that the famed event is set to return in the fall of this year. It is no surprise that this announcement has caused quite a stir in society as people anticipate the transformative experience that watching the models walk again will cause – taking them back to a time in their past as they watch them strut down the catwalk and stare intensely into the camera lens. With their new announcement, the brand has been pushed back into the fashion limelight and has highlighted the significant changes they have made to their values and goals they wish to achieve.
Social media platforms such as TikTok, Instagram, and X have already seen the upcoming anticipation from younger fans as a large range of people showcase their walks within videos and express their excitement to watch the shows again. After their time away from the public view, the company have been making huge steps to rebrand themselves and display their new vision and goals on how they are going to inspire future generations to continue their legacy and make their lingerie and clothing suitable for all. They have been actively working to address past criticisms by focusing more on diversity and inclusivity in its product lines, marketing campaigns and corporate culture.
Not only are they continuing VS Collection which included a group of women who are featured to represent the brand based on their unique backgrounds, interests, and passions, but there have also been great adjustments made to their new Board of Directors and executive team. All but one of the members of the new Board of Directors are women – working towards making comfortable, stunning products that suit all women. By making these changes, the brand is aiming to inspire women to embrace their bodies and feel confident in what they wear. Former VS Angels such as Adriana Lima and Kendall Kardashian are rumored to be returning alongside the new models to show how bodies change as we age – her in particular wanting to show her daughters to be confident and proud of the bodies they have.
Bringing back this luxury brand’s Runway show and making it relevant again will transform the fashion industry once more, pushing society back into a time of glitz and glamour that it so loved in the late 90s and early 2000s. Seeing the clothing on models of all sizes, ethnicities, and ages will allow buyers to decide on a deeper informed level and will boost sales exponentially. So, if you’re looking for a wardrobe upgrade, new and old pieces from the rebranded Victoria’s Secret collection might just give you a taste of the opulence and luxury you desire in your every day and private life through their infamous, exquisitely designed pieces.
