Victoria's Secret angels to be replaced by 'The Collective'

It seems like the popular lingerie brand, Victoria's Secret, has finally heeded people's plea for more inclusivity and promotion of positive body image, as it announces its partnership with a new group of women influencers they call “The VS Collective.”

Several news agencies, including The New York Times, have reported that this move suggests the exit of the iconic Victoria's Secret Angels (VS Angels) as the main ambassadors of the brand.

For almost three decades, the VS Angels have headlined the lingerie brand's campaigns and its highly anticipated annual runway show.

Some of the biggest names in the modeling industry throughout the years have catapulted to fame by becoming a VS Angel, including Adriana Lima, Alessandra Ambrosio, Candice Swanepoel, Gisele Bundchen, Tyra Banks, Heidi Klum, Miranda Kerr, Lily Alridge, Rosie Huntington-Whiteley, Chanel Iman, Behati Prinsloo, and Sara Sampaio.

Former Victoria's Secret Angels Adriana Lima and Alessandra Ambrosio / Source: @victoriassecret (FB)

That's why for the longest time, it has always been a dream for many aspiring models to become a VS Angel, or to at least walk in their runway show, just like our very own Kelsey Merritt.

Moreover, even women who aren't models also aspire to have a body like the VS Angels, because, for so many years, their bodies have become the ideal for what a sexy woman should look like.

However, in recent years, there has been a clamor for change as many realize the harmful effects of having just one ideal body type, which's often unattainable for many.

Although Victoria's Secret has plus sizes available for their intimate wear, most of their campaigns still feature and highlight mostly the skinny model types.

Meanwhile, other brands have already shifted their campaigns to champion inclusivity and positive body image in a very aggressive approach.

This is probably where Victoria's Secret wants to catch up on, as they pivot their focus to women empowerment, and this is where the Victoria's Secret Collective (VS Collective) enters the picture.

The VS Collective is a group of inspiring, trailblazing women who will collaborate with Victoria Secret to create “revolutionary product collections, compelling and inspiring content, new internal associate programs and rally support for causes vital to women.”

Among its founding members are beauty queen-turned-actress, producer, and entrepreneur Priyanka Chopra-Jonas and Valentina Sampaio, a Brazilian actress, and model, who became the first trans model to pose for 'Sports Illustrated.'

Also part of the VS Collective are: Adut Akech, a refugee, model, and mental wellness supporter; Amanda de Cadenet, a journalist-photographer and equality advocate; Eileen Gu, world champion freeskier and women's sports advocate; Megan Rapinoe, professional soccer player, LGBTQIA+ activist, and pay equity crusader; and Paloma Elsesser, a model, body advocate, and community creator.

“When the world was changing, we were too slow to respond,” the newly appointed chief executive of Victoria Secret, Martin Waters, said in a statement. ”We needed to stop being about what men want and to be about what women want.”

It's interesting to see how this massive rebranding will turn out for the iconic lingerie brand.

But for now, supporters of the brand should bid the VS Angels farewell and prepare themselves to see more of the VS Collective, who hopefully women will find more relatable and inspiring.

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Check out also these Filipina celebrities who promote body positivity.