Victoria's Secret Fashion Show History

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The Company Description of Its Time

The Victoria's Secret Fashion Show was an annual, highly anticipated event that showcased the brand's latest lingerie collections and featured performances by renowned musicians. The show was an extravagant spectacle, often held in iconic locations, and attracted millions of viewers globally.

History: From the 1995 Plaza Hotel Show

The first Victoria's Secret Fashion Show took place in 1995 at the Plaza Hotel in New York City. Initially, it was a modest event, primarily aimed at promoting the brand's products to a wider audience. Over the years, it grew in scale and grandeur, becoming one of the most sought-after events in the fashion industry. The show typically featured the Victoria's Secret Angels, a group of top models who held prominent contracts with the brand, selected for their international recognition and ability to embody the brand's glamorous image.

Up until its evolution in marketing strategy, the show was an annual event, usually held in November or December - a blend of fashion, music and entertainment, with popular musical artists performing alongside the models on the runway. Televised from 2001, it peaked at some 12 million U.S. viewers that year before audiences thinned across the 2010s; the 2018 show drew the smallest audience of its run, and in November 2019 the brand's then-owner, L Brands, cancelled the show as part of an effort to evolve the brand's messaging. A documentary-style project, The Tour '23, stood in for the runway in 2023, before the full show returned in 2024.

The Angels and the Famous Names

The show was known for featuring some of the most famous and influential models in the fashion industry. Adriana Lima, a Brazilian supermodel and one of the most iconic Angels, was the longest-serving Angel in the brand's history. Tyra Banks, an American model and television personality, was one of the historical record Angels and a prominent figure in the early shows. Heidi Klum, a German supermodel, television host and entrepreneur, was an Angel and a recognizable face of the shows. Gisele Bündchen, a Brazilian supermodel and former Angel, made numerous appearances and wielded wide influence in the industry.

Alessandra Ambrosio, a Brazilian model and actress, was an Angel and a frequent presence on the runway, and Miranda Kerr, an Australian model, was an Angel known for her elegance on the runway. These models, along with many others, played a significant role in making the show a globally recognized and celebrated event in the fashion world.

How Models Reached the Runway

Becoming part of the show, or being selected as an Angel, was a highly competitive and sought-after opportunity in modeling. The route began with a strong portfolio showcasing versatility and professionalism, and with signing to a reputable modeling agency, which increased a model's visibility for major events. Walking in fashion weeks and shows, and working editorial shoots, built the exposure that could bring a model to the brand's attention.

Victoria's Secret held casting calls and auditions: agencies received invitations to submit models, and individual models could also apply to casting calls directly. At auditions, models showed their walk, posing and overall presence, and demonstrated comfort working in the show's garments. The final selection was a collaborative effort involving Victoria's Secret executives, casting directors and designers, weighing the model's look, runway skills, marketability, suitability for the show's theme and collections, and alignment with the brand's image and values.

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