You might see supermodel Bella Hadid walking the ramp for Victoria’s Secret again, as the model has announced her comeback and why she made the decision to do so. Hadid has announced that she did not take the decision lightly, and that it required quite a bit of introspection.
“What magnetized me to coming back was them coming to me and really proving to me that, behind the scenes, Victoria’s Secret has changed so drastically,” said Bella Hadid, as she gets ready to join the brand for its 2021 Holiday Campaign along with joining as a VS Collective Member. She previously worked on Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show in 2016, 2017 and 2018.
The supermodel however announced she will no longer work with VS in 2020, when allegations regarding its former chief, Ed Razek, went public. An employee from Victoria Secret’s public relations department, Crowe Taylor said, “The other really awkward thing he would do on set was with other grown professional men, men with daughters, men with children, where he would make them look at and compliment this half-naked 20-year-old-model,”
The New York Times wrote a piece on the case at the time, crediting interviews by more than 30 women that worked for the company. “…inside the company, two powerful men presided over an entrenched culture of misogyny, bullying and harassment, according to interviews with more than 30 current and former executives, employees, contractors and models, as well as court filings and other documents,” adding about Razek, “He tried to kiss models. He asked them to sit on his lap. He touched one’s crotch ahead of the 2018 Victoria’s Secret fashion show.”
Razek denied all allegations, but stepped down from his role at VS’s parent company L Brands. Following the brand’s comeback after trying to be more inclusive and ethical in its practices, it has announced a new and refreshing take at “sexy”, ditching it’s iconic “Angels.”
Bella Hadid is not the only one to join the company, as Indian and Hollywood actress Priyanka Chopra, soccer player Megan Rapinoe, tennis player Naomi Osaka, and Hailey Bieber all join the group for the Holiday campaign.
“It is so important for the women we work with to feel safe, supported, and comfortable. And perhaps most importantly, to ensure their voice is always heard. This is the exact reason we wanted to work with Bella in this capacity.” said Raul Martinez, SVP and Head Creative Director at Victoria’s Secret said in a statement to MC regarding Bella Hadid.
“There was a type of way that, I think, a lot of us women who used to work with Victoria’s Secret felt. And now, six of the seven [VS] board members are all female. And there’s new photoshoot protocols that we have. So a lot has changed. I feel like the world really deserves a brand like Victoria’s Secret and to also feel represented by it as well,” adding later, “[Joining the VS Collective] was really about taking my power back and having the power over my body be released to myself again…. I think the beauty of what Victoria’s Secret is as a collective is about the conversation.”
