Victoria’s Secret Cancels Annual Fashion Show

L Brands, the owners of Victoria’s Secret, announced on Thursday that the lingerie brand will not be hosting a fashion show this year due to plummeting ratings and heavy backlash.

The show has been hosted annually since 1995.

“It was a very important part of the brand building of this business and was an important aspect of the brand and a remarkable marketing achievement,” L Brands chief financial officer Stuart Burgdoerfer said. “We’re figuring out how to advance the positioning of the brand and best communicate that to customers.”

Victoria’s Secret Fashion Shows have been criticized over the past few years for excluding plus size women and transgender women. In a 2018 interview with Vogue, former L Brands chief marketing officer Ed Razek said he did not think that the shows should be inclusive.

“The show is a fantasy,” Razek said.

a (not so friendly) reminder that ignoring consumers + their commentary on inclusion will ultimately become the nail in the coffin. VS had several chances to diversify their models but they refused to do so. https://t.co/pAiUNr2qh0

— 𝕮𝖔𝖚𝖗𝖙 𝕶𝖎𝖒 💥 (@TheCourtKim) November 21, 2019

This cancellation news comes as singer and businesswoman Rihanna’s Savage X Fenty lingerie brand continues to take off. The brand is highly celebrated specifically for its inclusivity.

Victoria’s secret saw Rihanna’s very inclusive fenty show and knew they stood no chance https://t.co/xgRqF1KqiF

— robert pattinson’s lice (@clairemaddens) November 22, 2019