Victoria’s Secret catwalk returns with transgender and plus size models after a four year break
THE Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show will return this year — and celebrate diversity and body inclusivity.
The annual catwalk extravaganza was put on ice in 2019, 24 years after first starting, amid claims it was not representative enough.
But bosses then ditched their traditional angels for a more inclusive “collective”.
The US campaign now features Candice Huffine, Mayowa Nicholas, Valentina Sampaio and Bella Hadid as well as Devyn Garcia, Taylor Hill, Adut Akech and Imaan Hammam.
Victoria’s Secret said they were “reclaiming one of our best marketing and entertainment properties and turning it on its head to reflect who we are today”.
Previous shows included the likes of supermodels Jasmine Tookes and Elsa Hosk along with performances by Ed Sheeran, Lady Gaga and Rihanna.
The new “collective” includes Japanese tennis player Naomi Osaka.
She said: “I remember having discussions about how I never saw someone who looked like me.
“I thought it would be really amazing to shift the view.”
British plus size model Paloma Elsesser also joined, with Brazilian model Sofia Jirau — the brand’s first star with Down’s Syndrome — and transgender models Valentina Sampaio and Emira D’Spain.
But singer Lizzo was sceptical, tweeting: “Do the CEOs of these companies value true inclusivity?
“Or do they just value money?”