Victoria’s Secret Again?

Victoria’s Secret Fashion show, one of the most viewed event of the year, is worldwide known for its beautiful designs as well as the top models participating. However, the show has lead to many controversies, many people criticising the brand for body shaming and establishing unrealistic body expectations for women, as the models of these shows follow what is thought to be the “perfect body type” in society: skinny and tall.

In all the years the fashion show has been running, there has not been one plus or regular sized model on the runway. This issue has led many people to accuse Victoria’s Secret of trying to shame women who do not posses the same body type as these super models. In addition, many have stated that there is a constant pressure of trying to be skinny through watching this show and its overly skinny models; this can lead to many teenagers developing eating disorders in order to achieve the “model physique.”

This year’s controversy started because of comments made by Chief Marketing Officer: Ed Razek towards transgender models and the reason as to why they would never be casted for their fashion show. He stated, “No. No, I don’t think we should. Well, why not? Because the show is a fantasy” (Source). This caused not only people in the LGBTQ+ community furious, many others felt frustrated and did not understand this comment. However, model Nikita Dragun fought back intelligently through making her own lingerie ad where she dressed up in pieces similar to the ones in Victoria’s Secret fashion shows, wings included. Wings have always been one of the most iconic or famous part of Victoria’s Secret fashion show lingeries and by adding wings, Dragun in a way, fought back against Razek’s comment through showing the public that trans-models or people like her can look stunning and flawless as well. Her defiance towards Victoria’s Secret empowered many of the trans models and allowed many people to gain confidence and self esteem.

The debate is still ongoing, whether Victoria’s Secret is intentionally trying to shape the minds of young girls by displaying such physiques and discriminating anybody who doesn’t obtain their requirements or not.

Should Victoria’s Secret change their standards on specific models for the show? Are they really promoting the ideal “body type”? Share your thoughts on their actions in the comments section below!