Kendall Jenner And Gigi Hadid: Victoria’s Secret Angels Could Save Sexy Lingerie Brand

Fashion fans are already aware that Kendall Jenner and Gigi Hadid both gained their “wings” at this year’s Victoria’s Secret fashion show on November 30. The Victoria’s Secret brand is known for its beautiful and racy lingerie lines, but they are just as famous for the string of incredibly beautiful women who have modeled their wares. Jenner and Hadid, who are both 21-years-old, earned their Victoria’s Secret angel status in double quick time. What’s more, Jenner and Hadid were afforded the honor ahead of some considerably more experienced models. According to the Mirror, some Victoria’s Secret fans were not amused.

“Many suggested on Twitter than Kendall didn’t deserve the honor, and claimed she’s not as talented as the more experienced stars like Adriana Lima and Martha Hunt.”

“One angry fan wrote, ‘Kendall Jenner getting her wings really p****d me off. Her walk was absolute trash, she’s so pretty, but clearly money talks. Kendall Jenner and Gigi Hadid do not deserve wings. What a mess.”

While some were critical of Hadid and Jenner, it may well be that giving the pair Victoria’s Secret Angel status is a very sound business decision. CNBC reports that we could be seeing a turning point for the Victoria’s Secret brand, and its parent company, L Brands. Shares in L Brand are down over 20 percent this year as the company ditched its struggling apparel and swimwear lines and withdrew its catalog.

Victoria’s Secret is obviously a leading brand, but it is trying to convince customers to buy more than push-up bras. Victoria’s Secret is extending its traditional reach by going into sports apparel and bra’s. Changing shopping habits are apparently suggesting that young women are moving away from traditional lingerie and bras. It may well be that the Victoria’s Secret brand sees young, fresh models like Kendall and Gigi as a great way to reach young women in the internet age.

Put simply, Jenner and Hadid have 100 million followers between them on Instagram. Jenner’s older sister, Kim Kardashian, has nearly 90 million followers, while Khloe and Kylie add another 170 million followers to the pile. The reach that Hadid and the Jenner – Kardashian clan have on social media is simply incredible, and that is a lot of free advertising for Victoria’s Secret.

The Victoria’s Secret brand has entered the new markets with an aggressive pricing strategy. Many lines are discounted by 50 percent as Victoria’s Secret tries to grab a market share. As a result, sales in Victoria’s Secret stores rose by 5 percent in November, but margins are down substantially through the year. Victoria’s Secret hopes that gaining the social media reach enjoyed by Gigi Hadid and Kendall Jenner will prove a boost to profits.

At a time of tough market conditions, the last thing Victoria’s Secret needed was to get involved in a racism row.

So, What’s With The Victoria’s Secret Racism Row In Oxford, Alabama?

According to CNBC, Victoria’s Secret has been “left red-faced” after throwing 27-year-old nurse, Kimberly Houzah, who is African American, out of their store. Kimberly was shopping with a friend when Victoria’s Secret staff threw them out of the store at a mall in Oxford, Alabama. It seems that another black woman had been caught shoplifting in the store. None of the white shoppers were asked to leave the store. The whole incident was caught on video.

Victoria’s Secret fired the store manager and apologized to Kimberley, but her video had been viewed over one million times by that point. Victoria’s Secret released a statement apologizing for the incident.

“What happened at our store should not have happened and does not represent who we are or what we stand for. Victoria’s Secret is adamant that all customers regardless of race be treated with dignity and respect at all times.”

Victoria’s Secret certainly hopes they can leave the racism row behind them, and Kendall Jenner and Gigi Hadid will help Victoria’s Secret go from strength to strength.

[Featured Image by STRF/STAR MAX/IPx/AP]