Victoria’s Secretis getting a makeover!
The lingerie retailer’s VS Collective featuresPriyanka Chopra,Megan Rapinoeand many other “accomplished women who share a common passion to drive positive change,” Victoria’s Secret announced in apress release.
The latest initiatives come nearly two years after the end of the Victoria’s Secret Angel title and the subsequentcancellation of the show in Nov. 2019due to criticism that the brand didn’t embrace models of all sizes and backgrounds on its runway.
Victoria’s Secret Logo.
The Victoria’s Secret Global Fund for Women’s Cancer will donate “at least $5 million annually to examine and address racial and gender inequities and unlock new innovations that improve cancer outcomes for all women,” per the press release.
Meanwhile the VS Collective promises to work with their new brand ambassadors to “create new associate programs, revolutionary product collections, compelling and inspiring content, and rally support for causes vital to women.”
Adut Akech/Priyanka Chopra/Megan Rapinoe.getty (3)
The inaugural VS Collective women include actress Chopra, 38, United States Women’s National Soccer Team player Rapinoe, 35, South Sudanese-Australian model Adut Akech, Los Angeles journalist and photographer Amanda de Cadenet, Chinese skier and women’s sports advocate Eileen Gu, British model and activist Paloma Elsesser, and Brazilian model Valentina Sampaio who becameVictoria Secret’s first transgender model in 2019.
“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 saidin a statement.
Several of the VS Collective rookie class also spoke about their decision to join the initiative.
De Cadenet, 49, expressed that she hopes to “prioritize authentic representation of women and support Victoria’s Secret senior leadership in their mission to drive systemic change.”
Rapinoe said she used to feel like she was “on the outside looking in with brands in the beauty and fashion industry” and wants to create “a space that sees the true spectrum of ALL women.”
“As we work together to chart the path forward in a new and impactful way, I’m not only looking forward to developing future collections that are inclusive of all people, but I am most excited for new customers and for those who have always been a customer of Victoria’s Secret to feel represented and like they belong,” Chopra said.
Akech thanked the “support of so many voices that deserve to be heard more than myself” for allowing her to be “part of a group that celebrates and empowers individuality.”
Gu added that she’s “looking to break boundaries and use their platform to uplift, champion and advocate for women across the world.”
Victoria’s Secret has been plagued with controversy over the past two years.
Victoria’s Secret Angels.Rolando Petit/Getty
Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from juicy celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.
In Feb. 2020, Leslie H. Wexner, the longtime chairman and CEO of L Brands, which owns the lingerie giant,stepped down, following scrutinyfor his business ties withJeffrey Epstein.
source: people.com
