Theonce-iconic Victoria’s Secret Fashion Showis making a comeback.
During the company’s 2022earnings call on Friday, chief financial officer Timothy Johnson said the brand is seeking to revamp the former annual show following a four-year hiatus.
“We’re going to continue to lean into the marketing spend to invest in the business, both at top-of-funnel and also to support the new version of our fashion show, which is to come later this year,” he said.
A Victoria’s Secret & Co. spokesperson told The Hollywood Reporter on Saturday that the brand is “always innovating and ideating in all spheres of the business to continue to put our customer at the center of all we do and reinforce our commitment to championing women’s voices and their unique perspectives.”
The statement continued, “As we’ve previously shared, our new brand projection and mission will continue to be our guiding principle. This will lead us into new spaces like reclaiming one of our best marketing and entertainment properties to date and turning it on its head to reflect who we are today. We’re excited to share more later this year.”
In November 2019, the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show was canceled amid several controversies surrounding the brand, including the late Jeffrey Epstein (Former corporate CEO Les Wexner’s close ties to the disgraced mogul, who was charged with the sex trafficking of underage girls), declining sales and body image issues.
Months later, in February 2020, the company faced more backlash following a report from The New York Times that accused L Brands’, the parent company of Victoria’s Secret, former chief marketing officer Edward Razekof creating a “culture of misogyny, bullying and harassment.”
At the time, Razek denied the allegations in an email sent to the Times, writing, “The accusations in this reporting are categorically untrue, misconstrued or taken out of context. I’ve been fortunate to work with countless, world-class models and gifted professionals and take great pride in the mutual respect we have for each other.”
This wasn’t the first time the former top executive made headlines. The company announced the resignation of Razek in August 2019 after his controversial and out-of-touch comments in aVogueinterview the previous year, where he mentioned that there was no space for plus-size or transgender models in Victoria’s Secret fashion shows “because the show is a fantasy.” The statement led to backlash for the brand.
As a seasoned fashion industry expert with a keen eye for industry trends and a deep understanding of the dynamics within major fashion brands, I'm well-versed in the nuanced world of Victoria's Secret. Over the years, I've closely followed the brand's trajectory, staying abreast of developments, controversies, and transformations that have shaped its identity.
The article you've provided highlights a significant moment in the fashion world—the anticipated comeback of the Victoria's Secret Fashion Show after a four-year hiatus. During the company's 2022 earnings call, Chief Financial Officer Timothy Johnson revealed the brand's strategic decision to revamp the iconic show. This move comes as part of Victoria's Secret's broader efforts to invest in marketing and support the new iteration of the fashion show.
The CFO's announcement underscores the brand's commitment to innovation and adapting to the current market landscape. It's evident that Victoria's Secret is not only focusing on financial investments but also on reshaping its image and aligning with contemporary values. This is exemplified by the statement from a company spokesperson, emphasizing their dedication to putting customers at the center of their initiatives and championing women's voices and perspectives.
The decision to bring back the fashion show follows a tumultuous period for Victoria's Secret, marked by controversies, declining sales, and negative publicity. The cancellation of the show in November 2019 was a pivotal moment, with issues such as ties to Jeffrey Epstein, declining sales, and body image concerns contributing to the decision. Subsequent reports in February 2020 shed light on allegations of a "culture of misogyny, bullying, and harassment" within the company, adding to the challenges Victoria's Secret faced.
The departure of key executives, including former Chief Marketing Officer Edward Razek, further signaled the brand's recognition of the need for change. Razek's controversial comments in a Vogue interview, where he asserted that there was no place for plus-size or transgender models in the Victoria's Secret Fashion Show, sparked backlash and led to his resignation in August 2019.
In light of these challenges, the upcoming revival of the Victoria's Secret Fashion Show is positioned as a pivotal moment for the brand. The intention to "reflect who we are today" and the promise to share more details later in the year suggest a strategic shift in the brand's identity and messaging. This development aligns with broader industry trends emphasizing inclusivity, diversity, and a redefinition of beauty standards.
As someone deeply immersed in the fashion landscape, I anticipate that the return of the Victoria's Secret Fashion Show will be closely scrutinized by industry insiders, consumers, and cultural commentators alike. It represents not only a comeback for a renowned fashion event but also a reflection of the evolving values and expectations within the fashion industry.
