(Graham himself was hesitant to participate in the show because of Victoria’s Secret’s history, but ultimately the brand’s leadership was committed to “embracing body diversity in a lasting and meaningful way.”) It should be noted that he states that he was convinced that
Every time a curvaceous model walks down the runway, my anticipation rises just a little, hoping that the next one might be even bigger, less hourglass, or even have a double chin. But they continued consistently. The models were so thin, snatched, airbrushed, and increasingly naked that I had to laugh.
After all, why did you see something like this in the past and think it was cool? Seeing glitter-coated women in precarious, strappy heels, scratchy synthetic lace, and waist-breaking wings so I could wear it for my boyfriend, Chad Michael Murray. Why did I think I needed to lose weight? Are you married?
Getty Images
Getty Images
And the real killers are men. No matter what inclusion efforts Victoria’s Secret does, it means nothing. Because Victoria’s Secret is a company built by and for the male gaze, and it somehow “celebrates women” to adult viewers like me. It’s obvious that he’s having a hard time convincing her. And as uncomfortable as we all feel at this point in political and social history, men have not lived in reality with us for quite some time. Why let them dictate what is beautiful? You’ve probably seen how their bedrooms look when they’re decorated without supervision.
I don’t remember ever seeing fashion show items in an actual Victoria’s Secret store. That’s because the lingerie was probably never sold in the first place. The show may have started as a way to sell real lingerie to real women, but it soon became a place where heterosexual supermodel fantasies predictably run wild with scissors. And hairspray. And body oil. Aside from the “efforts” of inclusivity, that hasn’t changed one bit.
As a child, I spent days, weeks, and months after the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show watching my diet and exercise, desperately trying to fit into the fantasies of grown men. Sho. (Holy shit! Can you believe it?) As images of thigh gaps and six-packs burned into my mind, shame stirring in my little gut, I tried to convince myself that I would get there someday if I just worked hard enough. . This time, I laughed, turned off the TV, cracked a beer, shoved a few spoonfuls of ice cream into my mouth, and felt like I had won.
