Victoria’s Secret Brings Back Glamour and Stock Prices Rise

Victoria’s Secret once ruled the lingerie world with high-fashion models, diamond bras, and a glamorous image. But when the brand shifted toward body positivity and inclusivity, things went wrong. Sales dropped fast, and the stock price fell from $57 to under $20 by 2021. The company tried adding diverse models and celebrity advisors, but shoppers didn’t buy it. Even hiring a famous activist as a spokesperson didn’t help. Then in 2024, a new CEO took over and changed everything. Instead of pushing a political message, the brand went back to what worked—classic beauty and fantasy. Models returned to the runway, and ads featured the kind of stunning looks people expected. Investors took notice, and the stock price shot up to over $70. The company even changed its stock symbol to VSXY, signaling a fresh start.Some argue that Victoria’s Secret’s old approach excluded many people who don’t fit the traditional ideal. Others say the backlash was a rejection of superficial beauty standards. But the bigger question is whether brands should chase trends or stick to what their customers actually want. In this case, customers clearly preferred glamour over politics. The lesson? Trying too hard to be trendy can hurt a brand’s success. Sometimes, going back to what made people love a company in the first place is the best move.