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The legacy lingerie brand showed off its rebrand with a special screening of the upcoming Victoria’s Secret World Tour, an immersive experience, and a diverse cast of models and celebs.
Victoria’s Secret is out — and this time, she’s got something for everyone. After months of preemptive buzz and celebrity collabs, on Wednesday, the once-embattled legacy lingerie brand celebrated its rebranding with a special screening of “The Tour 2023,” its revamped fashion show premiering on Prime Video on Sept. 26.
After struggling in recent years to meet consumer demands for diversity, inclusion and relevance, the brand and a bevy of celebs were out in force at New York City’s Manhattan Center, ready to help usher Victoria’s Secret into its inclusive era.
Wednesday’s crowd was refreshingly diverse, highlighting not only a variety of skin tones and body types but also gender identities, expressions, and physical abilities — sometimes, all at once. Demonstrating the brand’s enduring impact, Naomi Campbell was in attendance, as were Doja Cat, Lori Harvey, Winnie Harlow, Alton Mason, Ziwe Fumudoh, Yaya DaCosta, Aaron Rose Philip, and Doechii, the latter of whom performed at Wednesday night’s event.
“I remember going into Victoria’s Secret with my mom and being so enamored by the glitter and bras and panties and lingerie,” the “Persuasive” rapper told Women’s Wear Daily. “So to be here in it, finally as a woman, it feels like a manifestation.”
Philip, an Antiguan-American model who is transgender and physically disabled, agreed, endorsing the brand’s newfound accessibility as a welcome evolution.
“I love VS because they’ve really stepped it up to where at this point in their journey as a brand, they’re so accepting to everyone,” she told WWD.
To Philip’s point, while many of the red carpet’s predominantly sheer and black ensembles were accessorized with wings, in place of the once-famed and famously taut Victoria’s Secret “Angels” were members of the VS Collective. The consortium of brand ambassadors currently includes new mom Naomi Osaka, Priyanka Chopra Jonas, Adut Akech, and Paloma Elsesser, among others. Also in attendance was much of “The Tour 2023” cast, which includes Campbell, model Imaan Hammam, and Adwoa Aboah, a top model and mental health advocate who is more than ready to see a new generation of angels take flight.
Winnie Harlow attends as Victoria’s Secret Celebrates The Tour ’23 at The Manhattan Center on Sept. 6, 2023 in New York City. (Photo by Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images for Victoria’s Secret)
Paloma Elsesser attends as Victoria’s Secret Celebrates The Tour ’23 at The Manhattan Center on Sept. 6, 2023 in New York City. (Photo by Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images for Victoria’s Secret)
Adut Akech attends as Victoria’s Secret Celebrates The Tour ’23 at The Manhattan Center on Sept. 6, 2023 in New York City. (Photo by Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images for Victoria’s Secret)
Goyo attends as Victoria’s Secret Celebrates The Tour ’23 at The Manhattan Center on Sept. 6, 2023 in New York City. (Photo by Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images for Victoria’s Secret)
Naomi Campbell attends as Victoria’s Secret Celebrates The Tour ’23 at The Manhattan Center on Sept. 6, 2023 in New York City. (Photo by Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images for Victoria’s Secret)
Alva Claire attends as Victoria’s Secret Celebrates The Tour ’23 at The Manhattan Center on Sept. 6, 2023 in New York City. (Photo by Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images for Victoria’s Secret)
Doja Cat attends as Victoria’s Secret Celebrates The Tour ’23 at The Manhattan Center on Sept. 6, 2023 in New York City. (Photo by Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images for Victoria’s Secret)
Phoebe Collings-James attends as Victoria’s Secret Celebrates The Tour ’23 at The Manhattan Center on Sept. 6, 2023 in New York City. (Photo by Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images for Victoria’s Secret)
Ebunoluwa Ayotunde Sopido attends as Victoria’s Secret Celebrates The Tour ’23 at The Manhattan Center on Sept. 6, 2023 in New York City. (Photo by Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images for Victoria’s Secret)
Monet McMichael attends as Victoria’s Secret Celebrates The Tour ’23 at The Manhattan Center on Sept. 6, 2023 in New York City. (Photo by Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images for Victoria’s Secret)
Jasmine Sanders attends as Victoria’s Secret Celebrates The Tour ’23 at The Manhattan Center on Sept. 6, 2023 in New York City. (Photo by Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images for Victoria’s Secret)
Akon Adichol attends as Victoria’s Secret Celebrates The Tour ’23 at The Manhattan Center on Sept. 6, 2023 in New York City. (Photo by Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images for Victoria’s Secret)
Eloghosa Osunde attends as Victoria’s Secret Celebrates The Tour ’23 at The Manhattan Center on Sept. 6, 2023 in New York City. (Photo by Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images for Victoria’s Secret)
Anggie Bryan McDonald attends as Victoria’s Secret Celebrates The Tour ’23 at The Manhattan Center on Sept. 6, 2023 in New York City. (Photo by Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images for Victoria’s Secret)
Tayshia Adams attends as Victoria’s Secret Celebrates The Tour ’23 at The Manhattan Center on Sept. 6, 2023 in New York City. (Photo by Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images for Victoria’s Secret)
Sandra Shehab attends as Victoria’s Secret Celebrates The Tour ’23 at The Manhattan Center on Sept. 6, 2023 in New York City. (Photo by Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images for Victoria’s Secret)
Doechii performs onstage as Victoria’s Secret Celebrates The Tour ’23 at The Manhattan Center on Sept. 6, 2023 in New York City. (Photo by Eugene Gologursky/Getty Images for Victoria’s Secret)
Wavy the Creator attends as Victoria’s Secret Celebrates The Tour ’23 at The Manhattan Center on Sept. 6, 2023 in New York City. (Photo by Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images for Victoria’s Secret)
Naomi Osaka attends as Victoria’s Secret Celebrates The Tour ’23 at The Manhattan Center on Sept. 6, 2023 in New York City. (Photo by Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images for Victoria’s Secret)
Lori Harvey attends as Victoria’s Secret Celebrates The Tour ’23 at The Manhattan Center on Sept. 6, 2023 in New York City. (Photo by Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images for Victoria’s Secret)
Ceval attends as Victoria’s Secret Celebrates The Tour ’23 at The Manhattan Center on Sept. 6, 2023 in New York City. (Photo by Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images for Victoria’s Secret)
Aaron Rose Philip attends as Victoria’s Secret Celebrates The Tour ’23 at The Manhattan Center on Sept. 6, 2023 in New York City. (Photo by Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images for Victoria’s Secret)
Femita Ayanbeku attends as Victoria’s Secret Celebrates The Tour ’23 at The Manhattan Center on Sept. 6, 2023 in New York City. (Photo by Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images for Victoria’s Secret)
(Left to right) Mayowa Nicholas, Nyagua Ruea and Bubu Ogisi attend as Victoria’s Secret Celebrates The Tour ’23 at The Manhattan Center on Sept. 6, 2023 in New York City. (Photo by Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images for Victoria’s Secret)
Yseult attends as Victoria’s Secret Celebrates The Tour ’23 at The Manhattan Center on Sept. 6, 2023 in New York City. (Photo by Slaven Vlasic/Getty Images for Victoria’s Secret)
Devyn Garcia attends as Victoria’s Secret Celebrates The Tour ’23 at The Manhattan Center on Sept. 6, 2023 in New York City. (Photo by Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images for Victoria’s Secret)
Akon Changkou attends as Victoria’s Secret Celebrates The Tour ’23 at The Manhattan Center on Sept. 6, 2023 in New York City. (Photo by Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images for Victoria’s Secret)
Alton Mason attends as Victoria’s Secret Celebrates The Tour ’23 at The Manhattan Center on Sept. 6, 2023 in New York City. (Photo by Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images for Victoria’s Secret)
Imaan Hammam attends as Victoria’s Secret Celebrates The Tour ’23 at The Manhattan Center on Sept. 6, 2023 in New York City. (Photo by Slaven Vlasic/Getty Images for Victoria’s Secret)
Halima Aden attends as Victoria’s Secret Celebrates The Tour ’23 at The Manhattan Center on Sept. 6, 2023 in New York City. (Photo by Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images for Victoria’s Secret)
Mayowa Nicholas and Nyagua Ruea attend as Victoria’s Secret Celebrates The Tour ’23 attends as Victoria’s Secret Celebrates The Tour ’23 at The Manhattan Center on Sept. 6, 2023 in New York City. (Photo by Eugene Gologursky/Getty Images for Victoria’s Secret)
Adwoa Aboah attends as Victoria’s Secret Celebrates The Tour ’23 at The Manhattan Center on Sept. 6, 2023 in New York City. (Photo by Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images for Victoria’s Secret)
Ziwe Fumudoh attends as Victoria’s Secret Celebrates The Tour ’23 at The Manhattan Center on Sept. 6, 2023 in New York City. (Photo by Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images for Victoria’s Secret)
Eniola Olanrewaju attends as Victoria’s Secret Celebrates The Tour ’23 at The Manhattan Center on Sept. 6, 2023 in New York City. (Photo by Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images for Victoria’s Secret)
Ciara Miller attends as Victoria’s Secret Celebrates The Tour ’23 at The Manhattan Center on Sept. 6, 2023 in New York City. (Photo by Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images for Victoria’s Secret)
Eloghosa Osunde attends as Victoria’s Secret Celebrates The Tour ’23 at The Manhattan Center on Sept. 6, 2023 in New York City. (Photo by Noam Galai/Getty Images for Victoria’s Secret)
Nyaueth Riam attends as Victoria’s Secret Celebrates The Tour ’23 at The Manhattan Center on Sept. 6, 2023 in New York City. (Photo by Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images for Victoria’s Secret)
Joyjah Estrada attends as Victoria’s Secret Celebrates The Tour ’23 at The Manhattan Center on Sept. 6, 2023 in New York City. (Photo by Noam Galai/Getty Images for Victoria’s Secret)
Jade O’Belle attends as Victoria’s Secret Celebrates The Tour ’23 at The Manhattan Center on Sept. 6, 2023 in New York City. (Photo by Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images for Victoria’s Secret)
Olay Noel attends as Victoria’s Secret Celebrates The Tour ’23 at The Manhattan Center on Sept. 6, 2023 in New York City. (Photo by Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images for Victoria’s Secret)
Doechii performs onstage as Victoria’s Secret Celebrates The Tour ’23 at The Manhattan Center on Sept. 6, 2023 in New York City. (Photo by Noam Galai/Getty Images for Victoria’s Secret)
Yaya DaCosta attends as Victoria’s Secret Celebrates The Tour ’23 at The Manhattan Center on Sept. 6, 2023 in New York City. (Photo by Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images for Victoria’s Secret)
Maria Borges attends as Victoria’s Secret Celebrates The Tour ’23 at The Manhattan Center on Sept. 6, 2023 in New York City. (Photo by Slaven Vlasic/Getty Images for Victoria’s Secret)
(Left to right) Martin Waters, Melissa Valdes Duque, Piisciis, Lorena Margarita Martinez Torres, Ebunoluwa Ayotunde Sopido, Michaela Stark, Cristina Sanchez, Goyo, Doechii, Eniola Olanrewaju, Bubu Ogisi and Wavy the Creator attend as Victoria’s Secret Celebrates The Tour ’23 at The Manhattan Center on Sept. 6, 2023 in New York City. (Photo by Eugene Gologursky/Getty Images for Victoria’s Secret)
Winnie Harlow attends as Victoria’s Secret Celebrates The Tour ’23 at The Manhattan Center on Sept. 6, 2023 in New York City. (Photo by Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images for Victoria’s Secret)
“There’s this idea that when Victoria’s Secret decided that they wanted a change that no one wanted to have the wings anymore,” Aboah told WWD. “But actually, there’s something to say about who’s wearing the wings. I saw girls — trans girls, Black girls, bigger girls, Asian — I saw so many different girls trying on these wings, walking in Victoria’s Secret clothes, and that was an amazing moment for me,” she continued.
“Because what’s important is how can we redefine sexiness, whatever the word is, whatever we associate with underwear, how can we redefine that to feel more like it relates to us, instead of something that’s just thrown onto us by mass media.”
Instead, Victoria’s Secret will throw their consumers into “The Tour Experience,” an immersive installation slated to unveil on the top floor of its New York City flagship in conjunction with the premiere of “The Tour.”
“It’s fashion, it’s art and it’s entertainment,” explained Albert Gilkey, senior vice president of store design and construction at Victoria’s Secret, to WWD. “This space is an extension of that reimagination.
Featuring a bar with beverages inspired by VS fragrances and desserts created by chef Sumaiya Bangee, the space promises to offer a unique retail experience. However, the main attraction will undoubtedly be the looks on display from this year’s show “created by four designers from Lagos; Tokyo; Bogotà, Colombia; and London,” reports WWD. The brand’s legacy will also have a place, as “the designers also looked to the Victoria’s Secret archives to reimagine some of the best-known Angel wings that have been presented in past shows.”
“It’s a sensorial experience that we’re excited to just share with the customer,” said Gilkey. “It’s a pleasure to be able to do that for the brand and just for the customer. We’re a new Victoria’s Secret, and that’s what we’re celebrating. The Tour is the ultimate expression of our brand transformation.”
Maiysha Kai is theGrio’s lifestyle editor, covering all things Black and beautiful. Her work is informed by two decades of experience in fashion and entertainment, great books, and the brilliance of Black culture. She is also the editor-author of Body: Words of Change series.
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