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Brooke Stein

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Dear Victoria's Secret: Don't Become The Next Frederick's Of Hollywood

Posted: 04/25/2012 8:48 am

Dear Victoria's Secret,

Let me first say that I love you. I hosted a viewing party for your much-anticipated Victoria's Secret fashion show in November, and you did not disappoint. I'm continuously pleased with the diversity you embrace in your catalogues and ad campaigns. I enjoy many of your products and have been a loyal customer for many years.

However, when I stepped into your store a few weeks ago to restock my basic intimates, I was bewildered. Everything from the ceilings to the panty drawers was ruched, ruffled, rhinestoned and in some dreadful cases, all three. Victoria's Secret, why? I'm pretty sure not all women want to dress up like a fluorescent pink cupcake to turn on their man. In fact, I don't think any men want that either.

Despite my horror, I trudged on and asked a salesperson to assist me in finding a few skin-toned options so I could be on my way. To my dismay, and her embarrassment, the only lingerie available was in a light beige color similar to the fair-skinned redhead standing next to me. Have you not heard of the popular Facebook campaign petitioning for progressive companies to create undergarments for every skin tone? I mean, honestly, it's 2012. Shouldn't this be a given?

I left the store not only disappointed in the tacky designs being offered, but also the lack of diversity. Don't worry, I hadn't lost all my faith in you, but I did intend to write a stern letter to customer service. As I opened my laptop, an article about one of your casting executives hating on Kate Upton appeared. Really? You're hating on curvaceous, funny, up-and-coming models who are doing their thing? Kate killed it on the cover of Sports Illustrated and if you were smart you'd book her for a new "Back to Basics" campaign before you become the next Frederick's of Hollywood.

I'm pleading with you because I want you to win! I am your target consumer and I'd like to see a collection of tasteful delicates in a variety of colors and hues that reflects the diversity of your consumers. Now that you know better, do better.

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Dear Victoria's Secret, Let me first say that I love you. I hosted a viewing party for your much-anticipated Victoria's Secret fashion show in November, and you did not disappoint. I'm continuously...
Dear Victoria's Secret, Let me first say that I love you. I hosted a viewing party for your much-anticipated Victoria's Secret fashion show in November, and you did not disappoint. I'm continuously...
 
 
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02:43 PM on 04/30/2012
SOMA INTIMATES... People are knocking on your door; OPEN UP
12:02 PM on 04/29/2012
can't agree more! its like their target audience now days are tweens. All the ghastly pink puppy panties and ruffles, not to mention the models they hire now days also look like college co eds. A far cry from the classic Stephanie Seymour, Helena Christensen image that got this company famous in the first place. The VS fashion shows today look more like a circus than a sexy lingerie show.
07:49 AM on 04/27/2012
I agree. I thought the new CEO was supposed to bring Victoria Secret back to classy, instead it is very TRASHY!!! I agree I think it is following in the footsteps of Fredricks of Hollywood. Too bad!
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Ichigo Kurosaki
Why do Republicans hate America so much?
06:45 AM on 04/27/2012
What are they talking about? VS has ALWAYS been Frederick's of Hollywood, minus the crotchless panties. Who are they kidding? I'm serious.
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tiredofpc
retired: RN,Adult NP,USAR
03:52 AM on 04/27/2012
Responding to the headline: yes.
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Angie Daniels
Nerd, Democrat, PFLAG, taxpayer, animal lover.
02:46 AM on 04/27/2012
Frederick's products are made better, they wash better and I feel sexier in them. And since I'm rocking natural 36 DDs right now and I need to refit into some better bras, thanks for reminding me of your competition! I went to Macys and you and found matronly bras for bigger boobs... totally forgot I have a friend in Frederick's.
11:41 AM on 04/26/2012
Vs has 1 bra. Pushup. The people working there don't know how to properly fit a bra and nothing comes in flesh tones. I went in the other day and the neon colors were seisure-ific. And their panties feel like sandpaper...so cheap! They've decided to corner the teen and college kid market.. Both of which have no money and their parents will eventually stop buying stuff that falls apart.
10:23 AM on 04/26/2012
They've BEEN tacky for years.
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yukti
10:17 AM on 04/26/2012
What is worse that girls, of the age from teens to 25 love it (and the reason?). I can't stand that neon green called a 'trend'!
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annasophie1228
how you like them apples?
08:58 AM on 04/26/2012
VS is a more expensive Fredrick's of Hollywood.

their stuff is tacky, it hurts to wear, everything is padded...it's been a trashy store for years. the only people who like it are teenage boys in bathrooms.
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Totto
"Not 'Noise' One Round: *Music*
07:19 PM on 04/26/2012
Or perusing the catalog under their sheets.
07:51 AM on 04/26/2012
TACKY, CHEAP, UNCOMFORTABLE, TERRIBLE DESIGN, TERRIBLE QUALITY....But what do you expect from a company that parades women around in their bras and undies and creates a catalogue for men to ogle at?
dididangerlove
subverting political perversion
01:17 AM on 04/26/2012
Getting tacky? That underwear has been garbage for years.
12:27 AM on 04/26/2012
So true!
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Nopinky
12:25 AM on 04/26/2012
It's been too late for years. Their quality has been in steady decline since the early 90s when they forgot that their name was made on quality, attractive underthings that didn't look like granny's. Now they're so wrapped up in the feathers and rhinestones that they're selling $50 costumes that last three weeks and aren't designed to be worn - they're designed to be posed in and removed.. No thank you.
JenAshley
Cool Kids Don't Dance
10:19 PM on 04/25/2012
I went looking for a white, non-push up/non-padded bra at my local VS and they didn't have one. Not one - although they did have a few very thin, very cheap looking "training bra" type things that had no padding and no underwire. Like something I could buy in a Hanes 6 pack.

The sales girls didn't understand why I didn't want a push up/padded bra. Or why I didn't want the thin, cheap, "training bra" either. Go figure.