People are raising their brows at some recent comments a #VictoriaSecret executive made in an interview with #Vogue about #transgender and plus-size models and now the higher ups have issued an apology.
The remarks were made by Victoria Secrets Chief Marketing Officer #EdRazek when he was asked to explain why the lingerie brand does not include transgender or plus-size models in its Victoria Secret Fashion Show, according to @hollywoodreporter. Its like why doesnt your show do this? Shouldnt you have transsexuals in the show? No. No, I dont think we should. Well, why not? Because the show is a fantasy, Razek said in the interview. Its a 42-minute entertainment special. Thats what it is.
He added that he and the Victoria’s Secret team have previously thought of casting trans and plus-size models but ultimately decided against doing so. We market to who we sell to, and we dont market to the whole world. We attempted to do a television special for plus-sizes (in 2000). No one had any interest in it, still dont.
His words upset a lot of people and prompted Razek and L Brands, Victoria Secrets parent company, to issue an apology as his remarks came across as insensitive.
To be clear, we absolutely would cast a transgender model for the show, the statement read. Weve had transgender models come to castings… And like many others, they didnt make it … But it was never about gender. I admire and respect their journey to embrace who they really are.
Despite his apology, the Model Alliance issued a statement in response to what they said were his hurtful comments.
We are disappointed by the recent comments about trans and plus-size models made by Ed Razek, CMO of L Brands, Victoria’s Secret’s parent company,” the organization wrote in an Instragram post. “Such comments create a hostile work environment for people who do not conform to Victoria’s Secret’s mold one that enforces an idea of female beauty that is predominantly white, cisgender, young and thin.”
#Roommates, do you think Victoria Secret should be more inclusive in their runway shows? Let us know!
TSR STAFF: Christina C! @cdelafresh
