Victoria’s Secret fashion show returns to political correctness with trans and plus size models

Six years after disappearing from the world fashion calendar, the popular and controversial annual Victoria’s Secret fashion show is back. It will take place this Tuesday (15), starting at 8pm, in New York. THE catwalk of beautiful women in lingerie with precious stones encrusted and equally adorned angel wings are the attraction of the mega event —which fashion consultant Costanza Pascolato has already classified as ‘tacky’—, broadcast live on the brand’s social networks.

In the 2024 parade, names such as Gigi Hadid, 29, Candice Swanepoel, 35 and Paloma Elsesser, 32, will participate. The musical attraction will be Cher, confirming the tradition of casting pop stars to sing at the event: Katy Perry, Taylor Swift, Lady Gaga, Justin Timberlake and Jay-Z already performed there before the break.

Among the highlights of this year’s casting are the return of Brazilian Adriana Lima, 43. One of the greatest “angels” of all time, she returns to the catwalks of the brand, of which she has been a partner since 2001. Her career includes 18 shows.

After a series of criticisms regarding the lack of diversity and the objectification of women’s bodies in its “fashion shows”, Victoria’s Secret decided to try to adapt and announced Brazilian trans model Valentina Sampaio, 23 as one of this year’s “angels”.

Valentina is from Ceará and has been part of the brand’s casting since 2019, but she had not yet been given the opportunity to walk on the catwalk at the ultra-media event (to be confirmed if she continues to have her captive audience). In addition to her, American plus size model Devyn Garcia, 23, is confirmed.

Victoria’s Secret’s recent history includes a former head of marketing, Ed Razek, who in 2018, when he still held the position, said in an interview that it was “impossible” to include transgender and plus-size models in its cast — exactly what the brand does now.

Two years later, Razek was accused of harassment for allegedly trying to kiss models and asking them to sit on his lap. He denied the accusations.

Until then, names like Adriana, Gisele Bündchen, Lais Ribeiro and Alessandra Ambrosio, as well as Heidi Klum and Tyra Banks, were responsible for putting the famous wings on their backs and sporting very expensive clothes and accessories. Gisele wore a diamond-studded bra at the 2000 fashion show, valued at the time at US$15 million. See what’s coming this Tuesday night.