Victoria Secret Fashion Show Cancellation [OPINION]

Is the Victoria Secret fashion really done for? Victoria Secret has decided to cancel their annual fashion show. Their fashion show has been on every year around the holidays since 1995. Due to low ratings and decreasing sales, Victoria Secret took a big step. Body positivity was always a concern when it came to the fashion show, as most models happen to be a size zero. I guess people got sick of seeing skinny models prance around in their underwear every year. Victoria Secret was right to cancel their annual fashion show.  

Since body positivity and “plus” sized models have come into the spotlight, it seems people have forgotten about Victoria Secret. Honestly, so have I. I personally used to watch the Victoria Secret fashion show for a couple of years. Eventually, I was only watching it because of the models in the show, not for the brand, and not for the clothes. I stopped watching it two years ago, when I eventually got bored of it. I also knew I could never possibly be that skinny in my whole life. Not being able to fit into the clothing like the models, I knew the show wasn’t for me anymore. I used to admire the models, but now I know how much they probably go through to stay that size. So, I figured, what is the point watching? I shouldn’t be supporting a brand that condones in models practically starving themselves. I feel many other women were in my situation as well. Last year, 3.3 million people tuned in to watch the show, down from 9.7 million viewers in 2013. Numerous sources have heard the fashion show was making serious changes this year, not that it was cancelled. Now that it has gotten closer, the word is out that it is officially canceled. https://www.businessinsider.com/victorias-secret-cancels-fashion-show-its-official-2019-11  

Victoria Secret runways were not only exclusive for size, but also for race. Most of the models were blonde, white, size zero, and tall. Most people around the world do not look like that, and this could be why Victoria Secrete has taken such a downfall. Victoria Secret made a correct decision before the downfall increased even more. 

The Victoria Secret Fashion show did have some competition when it comes to lingerie on the runway. Rihanna gave Victoria Secret a run for their money when she released her new fashion show “SAVAGE X FENTY – Lingerie by Rihanna” on Amazon prime. Even though Rihanna’s fashion show was lingerie like the Victoria Secret fashion show was, they were both very different. Rihanna changed the game and had all models on the runway. From XS-4X, all beautiful models strutted the runway no matter what size they were. It was beautiful to see, because all the models regardless of size were confident in their own skin. This shows all girls and women out there that they do not need to be a size zero to look beautiful, and sexy. Rihanna did what Victoria Secret never did, body positivity. Rihanna also included all races and celebrated them. Not only did she make the show very inclusive, she made statements. Now, no women have to look at a screen and say, “Why are there no girls that look like me?” Now, there is a fashion show that has changed the game forever.  

Even some formal models from Victoria Secret’s runway were in Rihanna’s show, Gigi Hadid. This was one of the reasons I decided to watch the fashion show in the first place, was because of the models. It seems as Hadid has found a new lingerie show to join, now that Victoria Secret’s runway is no more. Many people will miss the Victoria Secret fashion show because it has been on annually for a long time. I am sure there has been many traditions and celebrations around the fashion show, but it had to come to an end. We are in a new era for fashion, and in society. Where being inclusive and spreading body positivity is very important. These messages are a lot more important than a lingerie runway show.  

Honestly, Victoria Secret could have changed. They could have been more inclusive in their lineup for the show, and it could have saved them.  Maybe they did not want to change, and that is why they decided to cancel it. Still, they made the correct choice as Victoria Secret is going out of style. With more body positivity in the media, women do not have to feel insecure about how they look anymore. Every size, and every color is beautiful.