The Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show 2023: What Changed?

After its cancellation in 2019, the once iconic yearly fashion event The Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show made a reappearance for 2023.  Prior to its cancelation the show featured the brand’s models dubbed “Angels” walking the runway in lingerie and large-scale art piece angel wings with featured performances by top singers.

The event was canceled after it no longer met the inclusivity of modern social norms.  Victoria’s Secret marketed on women’s insecurities with the casted models all fitting the same slender and tall aesthetic.  Something that the modern inclusivity movement has canceled many brands for.  The 2023 Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show made a reappearance with drastic changes to fit the new body positivity and inclusivity market, but were these changes enough?

Many brands have rebranded to appeal to the public throughout societal changes, and the advertisement for the reappearance of this event seemed no different.  The first show since rebranding advertised familiar faces with appearances from some of their most famous Angels: Gigi Hadid, Candice Swanepoel, Adriana Lima, and more.  As well as many fresh faces for a more inclusive and diverse appearance.  The problem with the newly formatted show renamed “The Tour” however, was on the production side of things.

Victoria’s Secret attempted to regain the publicity they once had. However, their plan backfired.  They chose to take the rebranding too far, not just changing the models but also the entire over the top concept that made the fashion show such an iconic event.

The result?  This show didn’t appeal to fans of the old format or those excited to see the brand make a change.  Gone were the glitz, glamour, and art.  Instead the show featured everyday clothes and a much lower budget production.  We wanted the set design, the angel wings, and a new rebranding featuring confident models from a more diverse casting.

The diversity attempt didn’t seem genuine.  Placing the new models in outfits that seemed intentionally unflattering and bizarre.  The quality and extravagance of the lingerie went downhill— leaving many viewers of “The Tour” confused and upset that the brand thought diversity and removed sexy.  The confident, sexy, and flirty personality is why The Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show appealed to so many, so why did the brand think diversity removed those qualities?

Will the show be back for 2024 or was this the last thread?  We’ll see how it unfolds.