The Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show Is Back, and We Have Questions

After three blissful years without the fashion show that has plagued many people with unrealistic beauty standards, the annual Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show is set to return. Understandably, the reaction to the news has been met with mixed emotions.

The lingerie brand announced that it’s seeking to revamp the one-iconic angel wings-filled show, during its 2022 earnings call on Friday 3, March 2023.

“We’re going to continue to lean into the marketing spend to invest in the business… and also to support the new version of our fashion show, which is to come later this year,” confirmed the brand’s CFO, Timothy Johnson. A spokesperson also emphasised in a statement to the Hollywood Reporter the show will “reinforce our commitment to championing women’s voices and their unique perspectives.”

It comes after Victoria’s Secret went through a re-brand with a focus on championing female empowerment, engaging the likes of plus-size model Paloma Elsesser, LGBTQ+ activist Valentina Sampaio, and U.S. soccer star Megan Rapinoe — among a larger tribe of diverse women — to represent the brand as “VS Collective”.

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Victoria’s Secret’s rebrand shed its signature angel imagery, in exchange for products that reflect “what women want”, however, we can’t help but be cautious. Since its demise in 2019, the brand has been scrambling to regain traction. A Mother’s Day campaign, for example, released shortly after its rebrand, featured a pregnant model in a silky pink robe — a deliberate move portraying different, inclusive and diverse body types. But is it too little too late?

Let’s catch up on what went down with Victoria’s Secret in the first place, plus what we know so far about the return of the VS Fashion Show.

Why Was Victoria’s Secret Cancelled?

Back in 2019, the once-beloved Victoria’s Secret fashion show came under scrutiny after Ed Rezak’s (the then-marketing chief) insensitive comments about trans models, not to mention the CEO of its parent brand, Les Wexner, having clear ties to Jeffery Epstein. Ed Rezak and Les Wexner both stepped down in 2020, with Rezak resigning completely.

The show was instantly cancelled, with too much outrage to warrant its once unparalleled success. Since then, models and members of staff have come forward about the misogynistic work environment and the pressure for women to look a certain way.

Then, with brands like Rihanna’s SAVAGE X FENTY stepping in and stepping up, the place that Victoria’s Secret held in the fashion industry just didn’t seem relevant anymore.

When Will Victoria’s Secret Return?

While it’s unclear what the new fashion show will include, reactions to the online announcement were insightful.

Some were quick to call out the brand’s revamp and its aim to helm a new era that “champions women’s voices”, with a recognition that Rihanna’s Savage x Fenty shows were the instigator for change.

“Ms. Fenty really made them re-strategise,” wrote one Twitter user.

Others had a more cynical reaction: “I’ll reserve my outrage until we see if they actually have become inclusive or all this just merely performative,” wrote one Twitter user.

And then, some were slightly more optimistic. “Glad it’s coming back,” wrote another, “but doubt it will be as glamorous.”

Singer and all-round icon, Lizzo, who has her own size-inclusive shapewear brand, Yitty, also weigh in.

This is a win for inclusivity for inclusivity’s sake

But if brands start doing this only because they’ve received backlash then what happens when the ‘trends’ change again?

Do the CEOs of these companies value true inclusivity? Or do they just value money? https://t.co/ykmcUTLayQ

— FOLLOW @YITTY (@lizzo) March 5, 2023

“This is a win for inclusivity for inclusivity’s sake,” she wrote on Twitter. “But if brands start doing this only because they’ve received backlash then what happens when the ‘trends’ change again? Do the CEOs of these companies value true inclusivity? Or do they just value money?”

Given the teaser trailer for the new iteration of the show, it’s fairly safe to assume that we’ll see more inclusivity than we did years ago. With plus size model Paloma Elsesser featured, amongst other diverse ethnicities and sizes, we can only hope for something slightly more representative of women as a whole.

The Victoria’s Secret fashion show is coming back THIS year! pic.twitter.com/viL9k7am9r

— linda (@itgirlenergy) March 5, 2023

But it seems that only time, more announcements or the 2023 Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show will tell. We have our fingers crossed for inclusivity. It’s time.