Lingerie brand Victoria’s Secret has decided to ditch its trademark angel wings and has hired supermodel Adut Akech and actress Priyanka Chopra as its new spokeswomen.
The embattled brand’s relaunch aims to shake off the criticisms of a lack of diversity in not only skin tones but in sizes.
Sudanese-Australian model Akech began modeling in 2016 and has already landed 16 Vogue covers internationally, including five September issues. She has also been the face of campaigns for Marc Jacobs and Moschino and closed shows for Saint Laurent, Chanel and Valentino.
Chopra won the Miss World title in 2000 before becoming one of the world’s biggest Bollywood stars. She is married to Nick Jonas and her net worth is estimated to be in the tens of millions.
“With The VS Collective, we are creating a platform that will build new, deeper relationships with all women. Through a series of collaborations, business partnerships and cause-related initiatives, we’re bringing new dimensions to our brand experience. In marrying our new partners’ energy, creativity and perspectives with our network and scale, we can transform how we connect with and show up for women,” Victoria’s Secret’s Chief Marketing Officer Martha Pease said in a statement via People.
In 2019, Victoria’s Secret canceled its inaugural fashion show after being accused of failing to embrace models of all sizes and backgrounds on its runway.
“At Victoria’s Secret, we are on an incredible journey to become the world’s leading advocate for women. This is a dramatic shift for our brand, and it’s a shift that we embrace from our core. These new initiatives are just the beginning. We are energized and humbled by the work ahead of us,” the company’s CEO Martin Waters added.
The lingerie brand is hoping its more diverse lineup of spokeswomen will help to revive its image… but is it too little too late?
