Does Victoria’s Secret Still Have Fashion Shows? Exploring the End of an Era

I. Introduction

A world-renowned lingerie brand, Victoria’s Secret, has had a traditional fashion show that showcased its latest collection every year since 1995. Every year, audiences watched in awe as models strutted down the runway in breathtaking lingerie pieces and beautiful angel wings. However, in recent years, the brand has faced criticism over a lack of inclusivity and diversity, and the 2019 Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show marked the end of an era. This article explores whether Victoria’s Secret still has fashion shows and analyzes the decision to cancel such an iconic event.

II. The End of an Era: Victoria’s Secret Cancels Its Iconic Fashion Show

In November 2019, Victoria’s Secret announced that it had canceled its annual fashion show indefinitely. The event had been facing declining viewership numbers and increasing criticism over the brand’s lack of diversity and inclusivity. The company announced that it would be rethinking how it approached events and that the cancellation was a part of that.

Victoria’s Secret’s decision to discontinue the fashion show was not a surprise, and the company had indeed hinted at such a shift before. Explaining the rationale behind the decision to cancel the show, the company stated that it would be focusing on other ways to communicate with its customers, including through social media. This way, they could reach a much larger audience that is spread throughout various regions globally.

The announcement of the show’s cancellation prompted mixed reactions from the public. Supporters of the decision saw it as a step towards inclusivity, while others lamented the end of a tradition that had been a major cultural event for over two decades. There were both positive and negative comments as to whether Victoria’s Secret should have continued its fashion show, with many people on both sides of the argument.

III. Why Victoria’s Secret’s Decision to Cancel Its Fashion Show is a Step Forward for Inclusivity and Diversity

Victoria’s Secret had been under fire for a while over its lack of inclusivity and diversity in its marketing and advertising. The company had been accused of excluding women of different sizes, ages, and colors, and the annual fashion show was one of the most criticized events.

The public views around beauty standards have shifted significantly over recent years with people today embracing natural beauty, differences in body types, and diversity. Therefore, Victoria’s Secret facing more criticism after every show might seem a little too prejudiced in attaining this shift in views around beauty.

Aware of this criticism, the company started to try to address issues of diversity and inclusion, instigated by their new CEO, John Mehas. Their latest campaigns started displaying more women of different ages, races, and sizes. Recently, Victoria’s Secret also showcased a transgender model in its campaign, thus making progress towards greater inclusivity.

In this context, the decision to cancel the fashion show could be perceived positively as it is believed that it was becoming anachronistic, out of touch, and obsolete in the current context setting given the pressing need to embrace and celebrate diversity. The event did not help portray the image that the brand seemed to want anymore, and it was only sensible to move on from that its outdated practice.

IV. An Inside Look into the Last Ever Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show: The Highs and Lows

The 2018 show was the last Victoria’s Secret fashion show to air on television; the 2019 show was canceled. The last show was held in New York, with musical guests including Halsey, Shawn Mendes, and Bebe Rexha.

The show itself received mixed reviews. For fashion enthusiasts, the show felt too stagnant and uninspired, with similar outfits and outfits that were not attuned to the emerging fashion trends. Many also felt that the show lacked the same anticipation as it once had, with the lack of innovation and effort put into each outfit and with no surprise elements put in the show to keep the audience engaged.

At the same time, there were some high points of the show. One of the most memorable moments was when model Elsa Hosk walked down the runway in the $1 million “Fantasy Bra.”

The show received a 3.3 rating in the 18-49 age group and had an audience of 7.3 million in the United States.

V. What’s Next for Victoria’s Secret after Ending Their Fashion Show Tradition?

Victoria’s Secret has announced its plans to move beyond the fashion show. Instead, the company is now in search of new and innovative ways to appeal to its customers and to showcase its collections.

Victoria’s Secret is prioritizing direct communication with customers through social media, which is far more effective than a one-time event like a fashion show. The company will also work towards presenting the designs as per the current market trend with a more comprehensive representation of women sizes, ages, and colors.

Although there is no indication as to what kinds of events or programs will replace the fashion show tradition, there is no doubt that the brand will create exciting and enticing events for its audience in the future.

VI. The Fashion Industry’s Reaction to Victoria’s Secret’s Decision to Axe Its Fashion Show

Victoria’s Secret’s announcement is yet another reminder of the rapidly changing fashion industry. The fashion show concept has been central to the fashion industry for decades; events such as international fashion weeks and blockbuster fashion shows have set the standard for fashion as we know it today.

Whilst Victoria’s Secret’s fashion show may have ended as an iconic part of the fashion industry, it does not mean the end of such events entirely. Other shows like New York Fashion Week, Paris Fashion Week, and London Fashion Week are still an integral part of both the fashion industry and the global culture around it.

Victoria’s Secret’s primary competitor, Aerie, has recently gained popularity by marketing itself as a brand that celebrates all body types. The brand has won praise for featuring models of different shapes and sizes and photographing them unedited. Its popularity as a brand that celebrates women of all shapes and sizes might make Victoria’s Secret’s efforts toward inclusivity seem a little too late.

VII. A Retrospective: Looking Back at Victoria’s Secret’s Unforgettable Fashion Shows Through the Years

Victoria’s Secret’s fashion show had been a significant part of global culture, marking historical moments and developing a new standard of beauty that would leave an impact on society. Since their first show in the Grand Ballroom in 1995, Victoria’s Secret had been making headlines with their extravagant and riveting fashion shows.

The shows featured the world’s most successful models walking the runway rocking some of the most incredible lingerie outfits, ranging from renowned fashion designers to outlandish outfits that were almost too extravagant to wear.

Some highlights from Victoria’s Secret’s fashion shows over the years included the first Victoria’s Secret Angels to walk the runway- Tyra Banks, Heidi Klum, and Stephanie Seymour. In 2001, VS Angel Gisele Bundchen debuted the first fantasy bra.

VIII. The Impact of Cancelling Victoria’s Secret’s Fashion Show and its Relevance in Today’s Cultural Climate

The decision by Victoria’s Secret to cancel its fashion show has brought widespread attention to diversity and inclusivity issues in the fashion industry, reform, and improvement. Consumers demand accountability and progress in companies and brands they want to associate themselves with.

The decision by Aerie to focus on embracing and showcasing women in all their diversity and uniqueness was one of the reasons for its success. Victoria’s Secret’s decision to discontinue the fashion show and focus on becoming more inclusive can be seen as a necessary step for a brand that caters to diverse customers and profit margins.

IX. Conclusion

Victoria’s Secret may no longer have its iconic fashion show, but it is necessary to move toward diversity, inclusivity, and sustainability, as many of the other fashion industries have done. The fashion industry is continuously evolving, and the cancellation of such iconic events brings us closer to a new era of fashion that values principles like equality and inclusivity. Therefore, Victoria’s Secret’s decision to cancel its fashion show is a step forward towards a fashion culture that celebrates women from diverse backgrounds and body types.