In a little over a week, the 2018 angels will strut their long and lean figures down one of the most prominent runways in the fashion industry–arguably the only fashion show that can garner such a large percentage of male viewers. This year it seems as though, amidst some controversial comments, our fantasy show is at risk of being demolished, gittery bras and all. I know better than anyone, as a Kappa Epsilon Beta alumni, that once you anger the cult of third wave feminists, especially on social media, there's just no turning back. So if Gloria Steinem's little puppets have anything to say for it, we may never see the Victoria's Secret fashion show the same again.
Upon the filming of the show on November 7th, Ed Razek, the Chief Marketing Officer–or CMO– of Victoria Secret made it clear "plus size" and transgender models are not welcome on his runway. In an interview with Vogue he stated he would not have either in the show "because the show is a fantasy. It's a 42-minute entertainment special. That's what it is." This caused an uproar on social media with some people even boycotting the store, but even if Razek's comments were controversial, were they wrong?
The Victoria's Secret model is the epitome of beauty. She is at the peak of all things beautiful, and why? Because she is the closest thing our society will ever get to perfection. Her skin is flawless, her face is perfectly proportional, her figure is statuesque, and her hips are neither too big nor too small. Remember in 2013 and 2014 when Taylor Swift graced the runway. We all collectively agreed that she could be an angel herself. That was because like the other models, she is tall and slender, like a living Barbie doll. This is the fantasy. This is what every girl looks into the mirror and hopes to see and what every guy walks into a bar and hopes to see, bring home, and maybe marry one day when he's ready to settle down.
Now say someone like Rosie O'Donnell or Caitlyn Jenner came staggering down the runway? Could they be considered supermodels? Or have we entirely lost the societal idea of beauty? Who do girls have to look up to or want to be like? Who do us guys have to drool over in our living rooms? The Victoria's Secret fashion show is the one night we forfeit sports, sit down with the girls and acknowledge the wonderful world of lingerie. Are we really going to lose all of that so some gender studies major at an art school can feel included in a fashion show?
The point is, Ed Razek wasn't wrong to say this would ruin the fantasy. He didn't say every woman in the world should look like a VS model, in fact I think his point supports the opposite. No one should look like a VS model, because it is a fantasy. We all desire fantasy, and that's why these models are so desirable. If everyone could be a VS model than the show loses its spark.
So cut the guy some slack, why don't we all agree to live in this fantasy for just one night.
