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The Powers That Be: Daily

Secrets of Victoria’s Secret

Jan 2, 2025
Lauren Sherman, author of "Selling Sexy: Victoria's Secret and the Unraveling of an American Icon," shares her insights into the dramatic rise and fall of Victoria's Secret. She discusses the cultural shifts that led to the brand's decline and how it struggled to adapt to modern consumer values. The conversation also highlights the recent shakeup at Fendi after Kim Jones's departure, exploring its implications for the fashion industry. Listeners gain a deeper understanding of today's retail environment and what the future holds for iconic brands.
26:03

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Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

  • Victoria's Secret's decline highlights the critical need for brands to adapt to shifting cultural norms and e-commerce trends.
  • The departure of Kim Jones from Fendi underscores the importance of creative leadership in navigating the evolving luxury fashion landscape.

Deep dives

The Rise and Fall of Victoria's Secret

Victoria's Secret, once a dominant force in lingerie and a cultural icon, faced a significant decline due to various factors. The company's peak profitability came in 2016, but it began to lose relevance as cultural norms shifted, particularly following the Me Too movement. Criticism about the brand's overt sexualization of models and exclusionary practices highlighted its disconnect with changing consumer attitudes. Consequently, the departure of key figures and the inability to adapt to e-commerce trends have left Victoria's Secret struggling for cultural significance, even though it still generates substantial sales.

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