Victoria's Secret

Victoria's Secret (cropped)

VS & Co (logo)

Red lingerie from Victoria's Secret

Victoria's Secret Store 7, 722 Lexington Ave, New York, NY 10022, USA - Dec 2012

Victoriassecretstoremap

A Victoria's Secret store in Rehoboth Beach, Delaware

Victoria's Secret is an American designer, manufacturer, and marketer of women's lingerie, sleepwear, and beauty products. Established by Roy Raymond in 1977 in San Francisco, California, the company became synonymous with sensual, glamorous fashion largely through its annual fashion show, the Victoria's Secret Fashion Show, and through its catalogs and retail stores across the globe.

History

The history of Victoria's Secret begins with its founder, Roy Raymond, who opened the first store at the Stanford Shopping Center in Palo Alto, California. Raymond started the company with the intention of creating a comfortable environment for men to purchase lingerie for their partners. The brand quickly expanded, opening more stores and launching its famous mail-order catalog.

In 1982, Raymond sold Victoria's Secret to Les Wexner, the founder of L Brands (now known as Bath & Body Works, Inc.), for $1 million. Under Wexner's leadership, Victoria's Secret moved towards a broader market, introducing a wider range of products and focusing on creating a luxurious, inviting atmosphere in its stores. This shift dramatically increased the brand's popularity and profitability.

Products

Victoria's Secret's product line includes lingerie, sleepwear, beauty products, and accessories. The brand is well-known for its high-quality bras, panties, and lingerie sets, which are marketed as symbols of femininity and sensuality. In addition to its core offerings, Victoria's Secret also operates a sub-brand, PINK, which targets younger women with a focus on loungewear and sportswear.

Victoria's Secret Fashion Show

One of the brand's most publicized events was the Victoria's Secret Fashion Show. First held in 1995, the show featured supermodels, known as Victoria's Secret Angels, walking the runway in elaborate costumes and lingerie sets. The event was broadcasted on television from 2001, making it one of the most watched fashion events in the world. However, in 2019, Victoria's Secret announced that it would be canceling the annual fashion show amid declining viewership and increasing criticism over its lack of diversity and inclusivity.

Controversies and Criticism

Victoria's Secret has faced criticism and controversy over the years, particularly regarding its marketing strategies and brand image. Critics have argued that the brand promotes an unrealistic and narrow standard of beauty, which can have a negative impact on women's body image and self-esteem. Additionally, the company has been criticized for its lack of diversity in its product range and marketing campaigns. In response to these criticisms, Victoria's Secret has begun to make changes, including expanding its product line to include a wider range of sizes and featuring models of different body types and backgrounds in its marketing materials.

Recent Developments

In recent years, Victoria's Secret has undergone significant changes in an effort to modernize the brand and reconnect with consumers. This includes revamping its marketing strategy, expanding its product line to be more inclusive, and focusing on digital and e-commerce platforms. The brand has also made efforts to promote women's empowerment and diversity, moving away from its previously narrow focus on idealized standards of beauty.

See Also

• Lingerie
• Fashion show
• Body image
• Diversity in fashion