Victoria's Secret Fashion Show: Why Did It End?

The Victoria's Secret Fashion Show, a pop culture phenomenon known for its elaborate costumes and 'Angel' models, captivated audiences for years. But in 2019, the lingerie giant canceled the show. Why did this iconic event come to an end? This article dives into the reasons behind its cancellation and what the future holds.

Key Takeaways

• The Victoria's Secret Fashion Show was canceled in 2019 due to declining viewership and controversies surrounding its marketing and inclusivity.
• Shifting cultural values and criticisms of the brand's narrow beauty standards contributed to its downfall.
• Financial performance and a desire to re-evaluate the brand's image also played a significant role.
• Victoria's Secret is now focusing on more inclusive marketing campaigns and diverse representation.
• The future of large-scale fashion shows is uncertain, with brands exploring new ways to connect with consumers.

Introduction

For over two decades, the Victoria's Secret Fashion Show was a major event in the fashion and entertainment industry. Millions tuned in to watch models strut down the runway in extravagant lingerie and wings. However, the show's popularity waned in the late 2010s, leading to its eventual cancellation. This article explores the factors that led to the end of the Victoria's Secret Fashion Show, examining the cultural, financial, and marketing shifts that contributed to its demise.

What & Why: The Decline of an Icon

The Victoria's Secret Fashion Show's cancellation wasn't due to a single factor, but rather a combination of declining viewership, increased competition, and a growing awareness of the brand's problematic image. Here's a breakdown of the key reasons:

• Declining Viewership: Ratings for the show had been steadily declining for years. What was once a must-see event lost its appeal as audiences turned to other forms of entertainment.
• Changing Cultural Values: The show's emphasis on a narrow definition of beauty became increasingly out of touch with the times. As society embraced body positivity and inclusivity, Victoria's Secret's exclusive image felt outdated and exclusionary.
• Controversies: The brand faced criticism for its lack of diversity and its association with former L Brands CEO Les Wexner's ties to Jeffrey Epstein. These controversies further damaged the brand's reputation.
• Financial Performance: Victoria's Secret's sales had been declining for several years, putting pressure on the company to cut costs. The expensive fashion show became an obvious target for budget cuts.
• Increased Competition: The rise of other lingerie brands that embraced inclusivity and body positivity challenged Victoria's Secret's dominance in the market. Brands like Aerie and Savage X Fenty offered a more diverse and relatable image, attracting customers who were turned off by Victoria's Secret's exclusivity.

How Victoria's Secret is Evolving

While the fashion show is gone, Victoria's Secret is attempting to revamp its image and connect with a broader audience. Here's how: — Lakewood Ranch, FL: Zip Code Guide

1. Embracing Inclusivity: Victoria's Secret is now featuring models of different sizes, ethnicities, and backgrounds in its marketing campaigns. This is a significant departure from its previous focus on a narrow ideal of beauty.
2. Partnering with Diverse Talent: The brand has collaborated with diverse designers and influencers to create more inclusive and representative collections.
3. Focusing on Comfort and Functionality: Victoria's Secret is expanding its product offerings to include more comfortable and functional lingerie options, catering to a wider range of needs and preferences.
4. Supporting Women's Empowerment: The brand has launched initiatives to support women's empowerment and promote positive body image.
5. Rethinking the Store Experience: Victoria's Secret is redesigning its stores to create a more welcoming and inclusive environment for all customers.

Examples & Use Cases

• Aerie's Success: Aerie, American Eagle's lingerie sub-brand, has seen tremendous success by embracing body positivity and featuring unretouched photos of models of all shapes and sizes. This demonstrates the power of inclusive marketing.
• Savage X Fenty's Impact: Rihanna's lingerie brand, Savage X Fenty, has disrupted the industry with its diverse casting, inclusive sizing, and focus on celebrating all body types. This has forced other brands, including Victoria's Secret, to rethink their approach.
• The Rise of Influencer Marketing: Brands are increasingly partnering with social media influencers to reach a wider audience and promote their products in a more authentic way. This is a more cost-effective and targeted approach than traditional advertising.

Best Practices & Common Mistakes

• Best Practice: Embrace Diversity and Inclusion: Feature models of all shapes, sizes, ethnicities, and backgrounds in your marketing campaigns. This will resonate with a wider audience and promote positive body image.
• Best Practice: Listen to Your Customers: Pay attention to customer feedback and adapt your products and marketing to meet their needs and preferences.
• Best Practice: Be Authentic: Don't try to be something you're not. Be true to your brand values and communicate them honestly and transparently.
• Common Mistake: Ignoring Criticism: Don't dismiss criticism as negativity. Use it as an opportunity to learn and improve.
• Common Mistake: Greenwashing: Don't make false or misleading claims about your sustainability efforts. Be transparent about your practices and focus on making real change.
• Common Mistake: Tokenism: Don't just include diverse models in your campaigns as a token gesture. Make sure they are represented authentically and have a voice in your brand.

FAQs

Why was the Victoria's Secret Fashion Show canceled? The show was canceled due to declining viewership, changing cultural values, and controversies surrounding the brand's image.

Is the Victoria's Secret Fashion Show coming back? As of now, there are no confirmed plans to revive the traditional Victoria's Secret Fashion Show. The brand is focusing on new marketing strategies.

What is Victoria's Secret doing now? Victoria's Secret is now focusing on inclusivity, diversity, and women's empowerment, attempting to revamp its brand image. — Alexander City, AL: Guide To Living, Things To Do, And More

Who owns Victoria's Secret now? Victoria's Secret is now owned by Bath & Body Works, Inc. (formerly L Brands). — Morocco Vs. USA U20: Soccer Showdown

How did Savage X Fenty affect Victoria's Secret? Savage X Fenty's inclusive approach challenged Victoria's Secret's dominance and forced the brand to rethink its marketing and product offerings.

Conclusion with CTA

The Victoria's Secret Fashion Show's cancellation marks a significant shift in the fashion industry. While the show was once a cultural phenomenon, it ultimately fell victim to changing times and a growing demand for inclusivity and diversity. Victoria's Secret is now attempting to adapt to these changes, but only time will tell if the brand can successfully reinvent itself. Explore the latest collections at Victoria's Secret and discover the brand's new direction.

Last updated: October 26, 2023, 14:31 UTC