Victoria's Secret has been embroiled in controversy over the past few years. The company was called out for its non-inclusive definition of what counts as sexy, accused of misogyny and harassment by current and former employees, and suffered a significant loss in earnings. In 2019, the Victoria's Secret Angels that were emblematic of the brand hung up their wings, and the annual fashion show was called off. Now, Victoria's Secret has announced who will be replacing the Angels. Read on to see the new faces of the brand.
RELATED: Maxim's New "Sexiest Woman Alive" for 2021 Just Made History.
A group of famous and successful women will replace the Victoria's Secret Angels.
In a June 16 statement, Victoria's Secret introduced The VS Collective, "an ever-growing group of accomplished women who share a common passion to drive positive change." The group includes athletes like Megan Rapinoe, professional soccer player and pay equity and LGBTQIA+ activist, and Eileen Gu, a freestyle skier and soon-to-be Olympian and youth and women's sports advocate.
The group also includes Priyanka Chopra Jonas, an actor, producer, and entrepreneur; Paloma Elesser, a plus-size model and body advocate; Adut Akech, model, refugee, and mental health supporter; and Amanda de Cadenet, journalist, photographer, and founder of #Girlgaze, a platform for female photographers. Valentina Sampaio, who was Victoria's Secret's first transgender model back in 2019, also joined The VS Collective.
RELATED: Salma Hayek Just Admitted Her Bikini Pics Aren't Exactly What They Seem.
The VS Collective will be more than just the faces of the brand.
Rapinoe told The New York Times that she was convinced to join The VS Collective in part because it's not a normal brand ambassadorship. She said it extends to consulting on the company's language, the kinds of products it offers, and the nature of the brand's narrative. Per The New York Times, both Rapinoe and Chopra Jonas will be working on new lines with the company that will debut next spring.
Additionally, The VS Collective will release a podcast hosted by de Cadenet in which the members will share their "remarkable experiences and perspectives," according to the statement. Martin Waters, the former head of Victoria's Secret's international business who was appointed chief executive of the brand in February, told The New York Times that we haven't seen the last of the Victoria's Secret Fashion Show. He predicts it will likely return in 2022 with a whole new look.
This change is a long time coming.
"I've known that we needed to change this brand for a long time," Waters told The New York Times. "Right now, I don't see [the Angels] as being culturally relevant." The chief executive knows the company lagged behind other cultural shifts. "When the world was changing, we were too slow to respond. We needed to stop being about what men want and to be about what women want," he continued.
In the statement, Waters acknowledged that what is to come is "a dramatic shift" for the brand. The New York Times called this shift maybe "the most extreme and unabashed attempt at a brand turnaround in recent memory."
RELATED:For more up-to-date information, sign up for our daily newsletter.
Through all its trials and tribulations, Victoria's Secret remained at the top of the women's underwear market.
With all of the company's bad press over the past couple of years, it still managed to stay at the top of the market. Per The New York Times, Euromonitor International found that although the company dropped from a 32 percent share of the U.S. women's underwear market to a 21 percent share in 2020, Victoria's Secret is still the biggest seller. The second highest competitor, Hanesbrands, hardly comes close, with a 16 percent share of the market.
RELATED: Susan Sarandon Will Date Any Gender, as Long as They'll Do This.
Filed UnderCelebrities • Entertainment • News • ShoppingRead This NextSalma Hayek Admitted This About Her Bikini Pics
The star just got real about the revealing photos she's posted on Instagram.June 9, 2021Susan Sarandon Will Date Any Gender
The star is open to any gender, race, and age, but they need to be ready for her.June 16, 202110 Things You Didn't Know about Justin Trudeau
Athlete, nerd, hopeless romantic, thespian. Yes, there’s a lot more to Canada’s Prime Minister than just politics.March 21, 2017Jon Hamm: The Best Life Interview
Jon Hamm, star of TV's Mad Men, reveals the secrets of manliness in a postmodern world.November 15, 2016Driving Tips Smart Men Know
Ten easy ways to be the safest driver on the road. April 3, 2017Men Who Set the Time: Cash Warren
The successful producer, entrepreneur and husband of Jessica Alba reveals how you, too, can live your best life.October 31, 2016Dr. Oz: The Best Life Interview
Mehmet Oz, M.D., asks the toughest question: Are you living or dying?October 23, 2016Dr. Oz's 15 Best Life Tips
October 23, 2016The One That Got Away
A single nutrient—omega-3 fatty acids—may have turned early humans into civilized man. Has stripping it from our diet given rise to cancer, diabetes, and other civilized diseases? Our correspondent investigates.February 23, 2017George Clooney Is Having Twins. Here's What Women Everywhere Are Saying About It
The legendary ladies' man who once swore off fatherhood went from zero to "Full House" very quickly—and the Internet has responded.February 10, 2017
