Who is this Victoria and what is her Secret?

Who is this Victoria and what is her secret?

Victoria’s Secret is an American lingerie brand named after Britain’s 19^th century monarch Queen Victoria.  Underwear is a multi billion dollar business for the company, who have more than 1,000 stores across the US.

What is the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show?

Ahh, the very reason the brand is so famous – every year, they hold a $12 million televised lingerie fashion show in New York City. The underwear-clad models typically come down the runway wearing elaborate costumes such as fairy wings or outlandish floral creations.

Who are the Angels?

The models chosen to walk in the shows are called “Angels” and the job is generally considered one of the most prestigious in the modelling world. The Angels are contracted to the company to do other promotional gigs throughout the year. The newest Angel is Karlie Kloss, whose very slim body type has drawn some criticism. Australia’s own Miranda Kerr was chosen to wear the Fantasy Bra in the 2011 parade.

Hang on, the ‘Fantasy Bra?’

Yep. The Fantasy Bra is a specially made bra covered in precious jewels that’s trotted out for the finale of each show. Other models awarded the ‘honour’ of wearing the bra include Heidi Klum, Gisele Bundchen, Claudia Schiffer and Tyra Banks and the pictures always end up splashed around news sites around the world. They’re very clever at marketing, those Victoria’s Secret people.

Isn’t it just a fun lingerie brand with some pretty models?

Well, yes, but the ubiquitous nature of the imagery – not to mention how heavily Photoshopped many of the images are – pose a problem as the Victoria’s Secret model is held up as the ideal female shape.

The Angels are seen to have the perfect body type – tall, slim, toned, full breasts. They’re genetically blessed individuals that should not be seen as an ‘inspiration’ to other women.

Pictures like this – showing Angel Candice Swanepoel’s concave stomach, posted on her Instagram account before the 2012 show – are not, ever, what women should be aiming for. However, Google ‘Candice Swanepoel’ and the first results include ‘diet’ ‘weight’ ‘measurements’ and ‘workout.’

The glamour, attention and money associated with the Angels also means young girls are aspiring to become one – as if wanting to walk up and down a catwalk is suddenly now a healthy goal for a teenager.

Despite how gorgeous the Angels are, even they’re not always good enough. Check out our gallery of Photoshop fails: