VICTORIA Secret was once the trendiest name in langerie and videos of the brand’s Angels strutting down the runway would instantly go viral on social media.
Due to declining interest, the brands’ runway show was put on hiatus in 2019 but fans were thrilled to discover that the Angels will be returning in 2024.
The models will be accompanied by the Queen of Comebacks herself, Cher, who will perform some of her biggest hits.
This is the story of the Victoria’s Secret Angels fall from grace and how they returned.
The faces of the brand
An Angel is a model that has signed a contract with Victoria’s Secret, after passing their rigorous selection process.
They are tested on their walk, popularity and look at the Victoria’s Secret headquarters.
When they first debuted, the Angels were hailed as presenting a more empowering image than the then-fashionable “heroin chic” look.
Some of the biggest names in fashion have donned the iconic brand’s feathered wings and stomped down the runway, including Adriana Lima, Gigi Hadid and Tyra Banks.
No longer “culturally relevant”
The popularity of the Victoria’s Secret Angels had waned significantly by June 2021, with the brand’s CEO Martin Waters telling The New York Times that they were no longer “culturally relevant”.
He continued: “I’ve known that we needed to change this brand for a long time.
“We just haven’t had the control of the company to be able to do it. We needed to stop being about what men want and to be about what women want.”
The Victoria’s Secret live shows were put on hiatus in 2019, bringing the brands run of iconic runway moments to a temporary end.
Despite the Angels no longer appearing on the runway, Victoria’s Secret decided to diversify the line-up of models used in their advertising.
Transgender model Valentina Sampaio was one of the trailblazing new stars, alongside actress and producer Priyanka Chopra.
The Angels’ comeback
The Angels will be flying down the runway on October 15, 2024, in their first live appearance since they were put on hold.
They will be joined by Cher herself, who will sing some of hits from her seven decade career.
Fans have been clamouring for some of Victoria’s Secret’s biggest names to return too, with the teaser for the event featuring Tyra Banks and Gigi Hadid.
There will be one major change to the Angels’ costumes, though.
For the first time, their wings will be made with handcrafted faux feathers instead of the chicken, pheasant and ostrich feathers that were used previously.
Peta’s Vice President of Coporate Projects Yvonne Taylor said: “Peta is tickled pink that the return of Victoria’s Secret’s iconic fashion show will feature dazzling designs that no bird suffered or died for.
“The exploitation of birds has no place in fashion, and Victoria’s Secret is setting a great example for other companies to follow.”
