THE name of lingerie brand Victoria’s Secret has long been under question.
Who is Victoria and why was her secret so sensational that it became an iconic brand?
It turns out the real meaning behind the name is much more exciting than we could have guessed.
The lingerie shop is named after Queen Victoria as a nod to the secret nature of underwear during her 63-year reign.
Victoria’s Secret was set up by American businessman Roy Raymond and his wife, Gaye, in 1977 after he struggled to buy lingerie for her.
Raymond reportedly felt uncomfortable in underwear stores both because of how frumpy the selection was and female staff not taking him seriously.
He told Newsweek at the time about his experience.
Raymond revealed: "When I tried to buy lingerie for my wife, I was faced with racks of terry-cloth robes and ugly floral-print nylon nightgowns.
“And I always had the feeling the department store sales women thought I was an unwelcome intruder."
The romantic took it upon himself to set up a lingerie shop that challenged his experience.
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Raymond named the brand after the Queen to emulate the vibe of Victorian-era boudoirs.
He wanted his brand and the stores to evoke the sense of Victorian sophistication while being suggestive of women’s ‘secret’ underwear.
Fashionable Victorian women wore an array of undergarments, from corsets and shoulder puffs to petticoats and knickerbockers.
These pieces were kept a secret under their long and voguish dresses, lending itself to the name of the lingerie brand which is now estimated to be worth around £2 billion.
In modern day, Victoria’s Secret is known for its catalogue of supermodel affiliates and annual fashion show.
These include Kendall Jenner, Adriana Lima and Heidi Klum.
From 1995 to 2018, it employed models under contract, known as Victoria's Secret Angels, to walk in the show.
The highly-anticipated event would promote the brand's new seasons of lingerie, swimwear and loungewear.
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The event was put on hiatus in November 2019 due to a number of controversies surrounding the brand.
The Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show is set to return this summer with a newer and inclusive feel.
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