Photo: Corey Tenold via Vogue
Victoria’s Secret Model: “Show Cancelled This Year”
By Ash CJuly 31 2019, Published 4:17 p.m. ET
Victoria’s Secret model Shanina Shaik has been a regular on the lingerie retailer’s annual runway since she was first casted in 2011. On Tuesday, she told the Australian Daily Telegraph the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show will not be taking place this year, that “it’s something I’m not used to because every year around this time I’m training like an angel.“
After 23 glamorous, glittery, angelic years of catwalk shows, Victoria’s Secret‘s 2019 show has been cancelled. Statista had previously reported that the show’s viewing numbers have been dropping staggeringly for the past few years now, and last year, the 2018 VS show was watched by fewer people than ever before.
Back in May of this year, CNBC obtained information that Leslie Wexner, the chief executive officer of Victoria’s Secret‘s parent company L Brands, wrote in a memo to employees that the show wouldn’t be broadcast on network television, and that the company is taking a fresh look at every aspect of business:
-“Going forward we don’t believe network television is the right fit. In 2019 and beyond, we’re focusing on developing exciting and dynamic content and a new kind of event – delivered to our customers on platforms that she’s glued to … and in ways that will push the boundaries of fashion in the global digital age. I’ve never been more excited about the power of this brand and where it’s going … [Victoria’s Secret CEO] John [Mehas] and team are re-birthing the brand.”
“Going forward we don’t believe network television is the right fit. In 2019 and beyond, we’re focusing on developing exciting and dynamic content and a new kind of event – delivered to our customers on platforms that she’s glued to … and in ways that will push the boundaries of fashion in the global digital age. I’ve never been more excited about the power of this brand and where it’s going … [Victoria’s Secret CEO] John [Mehas] and team are re-birthing the brand.”
Former chief marketing officer Ed Razek came under fire in November 2018 after declaring in a Vogue interview that the public has no interest in seeing plus-size or transgender models in the brand’s bejeweled lingerie and feathered wings. “It’s like, why doesn’t your show do this? Shouldn’t you have transsexuals in the show? No, I don’t think we should. Well, why not? Because the show is a fantasy,” said Razek.
Longtime Victoria’s Secret angel Karlie Kloss recently explained to British Vogue the reasoning behind her decision to stop working with the undergarment giant, saying that she didn’t agree with the message that they were sending to young girls.
