Victoria’s Secret chief marketing officer Ed Razek has apologized for offensive comments he made in an interview with Vogue magazine. Razek was discussing the lingerie brand’s annual fashion show when the topic turned to diversity on the runway, specifically with plus-size and transgender models.
Razek said, “I think we address the way the market is shifting on a constant basis. If you’re asking if we’ve considered putting a transgender model in the show or looked at putting a plus-size model in the show, we have. We invented the plus-size model show in what was our sister division, Lane Bryant. Lane Bryant still sells plus-size lingerie, but it sells a specific range, just like every specialty retailer in the world sells a range of clothing. As do we. We market to who we sell to, and we don’t market to the whole world.”
He continued, saying “So it’s like, why don’t you do 50? Why don’t you do 60? Why don’t you do 24? It’s like, why doesn’t your show do this? Shouldn’t you have transsexuals in the show? No. No, I don’t think we should. Well, why not? Because the show is a fantasy. It’s a 42-minute entertainment special.”
People were quick to criticize Victoria’s Secret for the tone deaf interview, and Razek released an apology online.
Please read this important message from Ed Razek, Chief Marketing Officer, L Brands (parent company of Victoria’s Secret). pic.twitter.com/CW8BztmOaM
— Victoria's Secret (@VictoriasSecret) November 10, 2018
Perhaps Victoria’s Secret would be a more inclusive place if their marketing wasn’t run by a man in his 70s, just a thought. Ultimately, this point of view, besides being offensive, is just plain bad business. With these insensitive remarks, Victoria’s Secret ensured that a large portion of their shoppers will likely be taking their business elsewhere.
(via Variety, image: Noam Galai/Getty Images)
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