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Amanda Krause
2021-06-17T21:24:41Z
- Victoria's Secret announced on Wednesday that it's replacing its Angels with the VS Collective.
- Seven women including Priyanka Chopra Jonas and Megan Rapinoe make up the group.
- The lingerie brand says the group will help drive "positive change" in its company and the world.
Victoria's Secret announced on Wednesday that it's no longer going to have a cast of Angels.
Models have always been the backbone of the Victoria's Secret brand, but its cast of Angels have traditionally been the company's real trademark.
Members of the latter group were under special contract with Victoria's Secret — meaning they had obligations to participate in brand events and catalogs, etc. — and they included women like Tyra Banks, Adriana Lima, and Elsa Hosk.
Victoria's Secret announced in 2021, however, that it will no longer have a group of Angels. In its place going forward will be the VS Collective, a new group of women that will help promote a refreshed brand image that's meant to be more diverse and inclusive.
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Model Adut Akech is one of seven women in the new VS Collective.
Akech is an Australian model known for her runway work with brands including Saint Laurent, Valentino, and Givenchy, and more. She was born in South Sudan, according to CNN, and spent much of her childhood in Kenya's Kakuma refugee camp before migrating to Australia.
Speaking with Victoria's Secret, Akech said that being a member of the VS Collective "marks such a special moment" in her life.
"I feel blessed to be part of a group that celebrates and empowers individuality," she said.
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Amanda de Cadenet is a photographer, journalist, and media personality.
The London native got her start as a presenter on British television series like "The Word" and "The Big Breakfast." Now, according to her website,she hosts "The Conversation" show and podcast. De Cadenet also foundedGirlgaze, a digital platform meant to "close the gender gap" and "champion diversity, inclusion, and representation across the creative industry."
"I believe true change comes from the inside out and that a group of aligned people can shift culture," De Cadenet told Victoria's Secret.
She added: "I welcome the opportunity to be a part of this incredible collective of women, and to utilize my creative and professional abilities to prioritize authentic representation of women and support the VS senior leadership in their mission to drive systemic change."
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Eileen Gu, a champion freestyle skier, is the youngest member of the VS Collective.
At 17, Gu has already accomplished more than some twice her age. She was born in the US, and has competed in numerous skiing competitions for China since 2019. According to Red Bull, she even made history this year after winningthree medals during her X Games debut.
She told Victoria's Secret that she feels "honored" to stand alongside other inspiring womenand work with a brand that she says is "looking to break boundaries and use their platform to uplift, champion, and advocate for women across the world."
"Working with the VS Collective, I hope to unite and inspire by sharing my story and experiences," she said. "I am so privileged to be part of the change and to have this opportunity!"
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Megan Rapinoe is a professional soccer player and LGBTQ+ advocate.
It's not just her purple hair that makes Rapinoe stand out. Instead, it's her extreme skill, three World Cup wins, and frequent activism off the field that's made her one of the most legendary soccer players in US history.
"So often I felt myself on the outside looking in with brands in the beauty and fashion industry and I'm thrilled to be creating a space that see the true spectrum of ALL women," Rapinoe told Victoria's Secret.
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Paloma Elsesser is a model known for her campaigns and magazine covers.
According to Office Magazine, the 29-year-old moved to New York with dreams of becoming a psychologist. But after makeup artist Pat McGrath discovered her and cast her in a beauty campaign, she's become an influential model known for her candid statements on being plus size, a Black multiracial women in fashion, and more.
She told the lingerie brand that she's "beyond excited" to join the VS Collective, especially to "support our collective mission to embrace and celebrate the vastness and beauty of womanhood."
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Multihyphenate star Priyanka Chopra Jonas also joined the VS Collective.
Chopra Jonas, who grew up in both India and the US, originally had dreams of becoming an engineer, as Insider previously reported. However, her career path changed after she starred in a Bollywood movie, won the Miss India pageant, and later was crowned Miss World.
The star, who is married to musician Nick Jonas, has since starred in "Quantico" and written a book.
"I am most excited for new customers, and for those who have always been a customer of Victoria's Secret, to feel represented and like they belong," she told the company.
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Valentina Sampaio has already made history with Victoria's Secret — and now she's doing so again.
In August 2019, Sampaio became Victoria's Secret's first openly transgender model. Then in July 2020, the Brazil native also was named Sports Illustrated's first openly transgender model and appeared in its annual swimsuit issue.
As part of the VS Collective, she said: "Victoria's Secret is committed to opening these doors for trans women like me by celebrating, uplifting, and advocating for ALL women."
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As an expert in the field of fashion, diversity, and brand transformation, I can confidently address the recent developments at Victoria's Secret and the introduction of the VS Collective. My extensive knowledge in the fashion industry and brand dynamics allows me to provide insights into the significance of this shift and the impact it may have on Victoria's Secret.
The article discusses Victoria's Secret's decision to replace its traditional cast of Angels with the VS Collective, a group of seven women aimed at promoting a more diverse and inclusive brand image. This move reflects a broader trend in the fashion industry, where brands are recognizing the need for greater representation and authenticity. Let's delve into the key concepts and individuals mentioned in the article:
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Victoria's Secret Angels and Trademark Shift:
- Traditionally, the brand's cast of Angels, including iconic figures like Tyra Banks and Adriana Lima, played a central role in Victoria's Secret's marketing and events.
- The decision to discontinue the group of Angels signals a strategic shift toward a more inclusive and diverse representation.
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VS Collective:
- The VS Collective is introduced as a replacement for the Angels, with the goal of driving positive change both within the company and in the broader world.
- The collective includes seven influential women from various backgrounds and professions, contributing to a more inclusive brand narrative.
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Members of the VS Collective:
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Adut Akech:
- An Australian model with an impressive runway portfolio, known for her work with brands like Saint Laurent and Valentino.
- Akech's background, born in South Sudan and spending part of her childhood in a Kenyan refugee camp, adds a unique and diverse perspective to the collective.
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Amanda de Cadenet:
- A London native, de Cadenet is a photographer, journalist, and media personality.
- Founder of Girlgaze, a digital platform focused on closing the gender gap and championing diversity in the creative industry.
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Eileen Gu:
- A champion freestyle skier, Gu, at the age of 17, has achieved notable success in skiing competitions, representing China.
- Gu brings a youthful perspective and achievements beyond her age to the VS Collective.
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Megan Rapinoe:
- A professional soccer player and LGBTQ+ advocate with three World Cup wins.
- Rapinoe's activism off the field aligns with Victoria's Secret's goal of promoting a more inclusive representation of women.
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Paloma Elsesser:
- A model recognized for her campaigns and covers, Elsesser has been vocal about issues such as being plus-size and a Black multiracial woman in the fashion industry.
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Priyanka Chopra Jonas:
- A multihyphenate star with a background spanning India and the US, known for her acting career and beauty pageant success.
- Chopra Jonas emphasizes the importance of representation for both new and existing customers of Victoria's Secret.
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Valentina Sampaio:
- Sampaio made history as Victoria's Secret's first openly transgender model in 2019 and later became Sports Illustrated's first openly transgender model.
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Collective Mission and Impact:
- Members of the VS Collective express their excitement and commitment to the collective mission of embracing and celebrating the diversity and beauty of womanhood.
- The goal is to advocate for all women, including those who have been traditionally underrepresented in the fashion industry.
In summary, Victoria's Secret's transition to the VS Collective reflects a strategic move toward a more inclusive and diverse brand image, aligning with broader industry trends. The collective's members bring a rich tapestry of backgrounds and achievements, contributing to the brand's commitment to positive change and authentic representation.
