It was a frigid day this past Wednesday in New York City, with a high of 39 degrees. Yet, this was not an issue for the models – or Angels, as they are referred to – of the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show, who were scantily clad for the famous event known for its provocativeness.
The annual event, with highlights including a $10 million bra and performances by Taylor Swift and Fall Out Boy, occurred at the Lexington Armory, a few feet away from Baruch’s campus. For this reason, it was understandable why the Baruch Bookstore’s café was filled to the brim with photographers, journalists, and others with official “Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show 2013” paraphernalia.
Out of curiosity – and free time – I began asking those around me questions about the event. Interestingly, everyone I spoke to was eager to talk, but reluctant to identify himself or herself, as if the whole event was classified. I decided to explore the event more by waiting outside, watching people arrive, and interviewing whomever I could. Prior to hearing about the event, I had read a CNN article about a petition for a transsexual model, Carmen Carrera, to become the first Victoria’s Secret ‘Angel’ of her kind. How would those nearest to the topic feel about this? I set out to find out.
With a large white tent set up and barricades galore, the Lexington Armory was ready for the big night from the early afternoon, and I watched people begin to stand in line around 3:15 pm. According to some officials that I spoke with, the models had been in hair and makeup from early in the morning. Surprisingly, there are two shows they must perform in, each with different audiences, at 4 pm and 8 pm.
By 3:30, the line of people dressed to the nines – ironically, to see women dressed in almost nothing – had grown around the corner of 25th and Lexington. Like those at the Baruch Bookstore café, many of the people I spoke to would not give me their names, while some even refused to answer my questions. When asked about what they were most excited for, the majority of people stated South African model Candice Swanepoel wearing the $10 million bra. Others were eager to see the themes of the night, as the event is celebrated for it’s over-the-top themes.
Then, it came down to a more serious topic – how would you feel about seeing a transgender model in this show? Quite a few people gave me looks, and replied with a tentative “no comment.” Humorously, one man joked, declaring, “it’s more absurd for a woman to be wearing a $10 million bra than a transsexual to walk this runway.” One woman exclaimed it “would be great. If someone feels that they were meant to be something else [other than his or her original sex], then that’s where they were meant to be.” Another woman simply stated, “I don’t judge.” Her friend, a photographer, laughed and truthfully claimed, “most people probably wouldn’t even know. It definitely wouldn’t matter to me.”
If only it were that simple – many in the online community are strongly against having Carmen Carrera as a Victoria’s Secret model, although the petition for this idea has over 40,000 signatures. The petition was created on Change.org, claiming that Carrera is a “force to be reckoned with and deserves to walk the same runway as legends like Gisele [Bündchen].” The creator of the petition, Marco Regalado, believes “as a brand, Victoria’s Secret should feel comfortable marketing towards all types of women.”
The idea of transgender women participating in an event like this is not too uncommon; earlier this year, Kylan Arianna Wenzel became the first transgender woman allowed to compete in the Miss Universe Organization pageant. In 2012, however, transgender pageant contestant Jenna Talackova was disqualified from Miss Universe Canada because she wasn’t a “naturally born female.” Coincidentally, this rule was changed after a successful petition was created on Change.org, the same website where the Carrera petition is featured.
Carrera is an inspiration in the LGBT community. Before undergoing her surgery, she appeared on “RuPaul’s Drag Race,” accumulating a large fan base. Today, she is signed with Elite Model Management, a major achievement for any type of model. She has not heard anything from the famous lingerie retail store yet, but Carrera says, “it would be pretty amazing for Victoria’s Secret to be that huge of a corporation that embraces trans women. We shop there as well. I can only hope and dream, but I think it’s time.” However, she believes the company should not feel pressured into hiring her.
It’s easy to agree that Victoria’s Secret and its fashion show are known to push boundaries, thus stepping into the transgender community may be a good step for the company. The Change.org petition is making headlines, from CNN to Hollywood Life. Perhaps we will see Carrera donned with her own set of signature wings as an Angel in 2014. Meanwhile, this year’s show went without a hitch. Audience members were dazzled by the six different themes of the night: “British Invasion,” “Birds of Paradise,” “Parisian Nights,” “Shipwrecked,” “Snow Angels,” and “PINK Network.” Performers Taylor Swift and Fall Out Boy were not the only stars in attendance; Ciara and LaLa Anthony were there, and Adam Levine was spotted cheering on his fiancé Behati Prinsloo. Veteran Angels, such as Karlie Kloss, Adriana Lima, and Alessandra Ambrosio walked the runway, as well as fresh-faces like British model Cara Delevinge. The star-studded event continued with an extravagant after party at TAO Downtown.
The anticipated show will appear on December 10th on CBS, as it does every holiday season.
Works Cited
Adams, Rebecca. “Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show 2013 Stars Taylor Swift Giving The Angels Competition (PHOTOS).” The Huffington Post. TheHuffingtonPost.com, 14 Nov. 2013. Web. 18 Nov. 2013.
Bennett-Smith, Meredith. “Kylan Arianna Wenzel Is First Transgender Woman Allowed To Compete In Miss California Pageant.” The Huffington Post. TheHuffingtonPost.com, 11 Jan. 2013. Web. 18 Nov. 2013.
Niemietz, Brian, and Molly Friedman. “Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show 2013: Supermodels, Taylor Swift Rock Glittered Runway.” NY Daily News. NY Daily News, 14 Nov. 2013. Web. 18 Nov. 2013.
Regalado, Marco. “Petition to Make Carmen Carrera the First Trans Victoria’s Secret Model.” Change.org. 4 Nov. 2013.
Rodriguez, Cindy Y. “Victoria’s Secret Petitioned to Hire First Transgender Model.” CNN. Cable News Network, 15 Nov. 2013. Web. 17 Nov. 2013.
