Barbara Palvin has been announced as the newest Victoria’s Secret Angel.
While Palvin’s fans were excited over the news, the lingerie company is still struggling to win back consumers after saying that wouldn’t cast plus-size or trans models in their shows.
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It all started in November 2018 when Ed Razek, the chief marketing officer of L Brands (the Victoria’s Secret parent company) did an interview with “Vogue” Magazine.
When asked about casting plus-size or transgender models in the annual Victoria’s Secret fashion show, Razek’s response was met with criticism.
He told “Vogue” that the company was not interested in casting plus-size models because they weren’t marketing clothes to plus-size women.
“We market to who we sell to, and we don’t market to the whole world,” Razek told Vogue .
He also added that the company had attempted a plus-size show in 2000.
“We attempted to do a television special for plus-sizes [in 2000]. No one had any interest in it, still don’t,” he said .
The interview caused a lot of backlash online for the brand.
In an age where more companies seem to be embracing the body-positive movement and casting queer models, many people were not here for Victoria’s Secret saying that they wouldn’t cast plus-size or trans models.
Many costumers vowed to boycott the brand after those comments were made last November.
Now, people are wondering if this casting choice is a misguided attempt by the company to seem more body-positive.
Fast-forward to today, where it was recently announced that Barbara Palvin would officially become the next Victoria’s Secret Angel.
Palvin is a 25-year-old model from Hungary and is also currently dating actor Dylan Sprouse.
She shared the news on her Instagram with fans and wrote, “Thank you for believing in me.”
Barbara has modeled for the company before, but will now be an official Angel.
Angels have exclusive contracts with the company, act as brand ambassadors, and of course, wear wings during the annual fashion show.
Many fans were excited by this news.
Palvin has a huge following thanks to her relatable personality and ability to connect with fans on social media. She’s definitely on the verge of becoming the next superstar on the runway.
However, many fans also wondered if she was cast because of her body type.
Palvin is by no means a plus-size model, but she is taller and curvier than the average Victoria’s Secret model. Some wondered if this was the brand’s attempt to seem more inclusive.
Adding to the confusion, some media outlets have labelled Palvin the first “plus-sized Angel”.
So far, neither Palvin nor Victoria’s Secret has used the term “plus-size” to describe Palvin’s body type.
After last year’s comments though, it’s easy to see why people are heated over this casting choice.
Barbara is stunning and charismatic and everything good in the world, but she’s nowhere near typical “plus-size” model status.
Speaking of plus-sized model status, I’m still out here wondering when Ashley Graham will get the respect she deserves from big lingerie companies.
Imagine being so stunning in nude panties?
So yes, even though Palvin isn’t plus-sized, other Twitter users saw Palvin’s casting as a step in the right direction.
Yes, she is still between a size two and four, but Palvin’s body is a departure from the typical Victoria’s Secret Angel.
Even though the announcement has been met with criticism, we’re still very excited for Palvin and seeing what she brings to her new role as an official VS Angel.
I have a pretty good feeling it’ll be fabulous!
