Panic As Victoria’s Secret Annual Show Is Cancelled

Victoria’s Secret is known for their elaborate shows with the hottest supermodels and the most sought after musicians on their runways. Well, say goodbye to the Wonder Bra and the angel wings, at least for now. According to E! News, this year’s show has been left out of the agenda.

“Fashion is a business of change. We must evolve and change to grow,” L Brand CEO Lex Wexner wrote to the VS team in May. 

He concluded, “In 2019 and beyond, we’re focusing on developing exciting and dynamic content and a new kind of event—delivered to our customer on platforms that she’s glued to… and in ways that will push the boundaries of fashion in the global digital age. I’ve never been more excited about the power of this brand and where it’s going.”

They claim to have cancelled the show because they are looking into more viable platforms to broadcast the massive show on other than cable television. Digital media might be in the works for the brand, however, there’s a silent air of distaste following last year’s inclusivity scandal where the Victoria’s Chief Marketing Officer Ed Razek made some crazy statements about why they would not include plus size women or transgender models into the show. He said, “It’s like, why doesn’t your show do this? Shouldn’t you have transsexuals in the show? No. No, I don’t think we should. Well, why not? Because the show is a fantasy. It’s a 42-minute entertainment special. That’s what it is. It is the only one of its kind in the world, and any other fashion brand in the world would take it in a minute, including the competitors that are carping at us. And they carp at us because we’re the leader. They don’t talk about each other. I accept that. I actually respect it. Cool. But we’re nobody’s third love.”

Those statements were followed by a international outrage as well as a 3% drop in sales and viewership for the 2018 show. Some of the VS angels like Kendall Jenner came out to show solidarity for the LGBTQ community, causing Razek to come with tail between legs to apologise for his statements.

The brand claims this year’s event is off while they look at re-branding and restructuring the company, which many see as them finally folding to the pressure of the movement towards inclusivity in everything, including their fantasy show.

It might be a while before we hear of the show stopping fashion show, but here’s hoping when they come back there will be a more open minded air to the fresh direction they plan to move in. Let’s watch the space and see if anything changes and they make some sort of comeback.

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