The 2019 Victoria's Secret fashion show has been cancelled, its parent company L Brands has confirmed. This is the first time that the news - first mooted by VS model Shanina Shaik in July - has been made official by the label itself.

When asked if there would be a brand fashion show this year, L Brands chief financial officer Stuart Burgdoerfer said: “No, we’ll be communicating to customers, but nothing that I would say is similar in magnitude to the fashion show. We think it’s important to evolve the marketing of Victoria’s Secret."

Earlier this year, regular VS models were commenting on how "disappointing" it is that the show wasn't taking place - including 27-year-old Georgia Fowler.

"I mean I've done it for the past three years and it was always a dream growing up to be a part of it," the New Zealand-born model told the Australian Daily Telegraph in October. "It's disappointing it's not going to happen this year - but who knows what will happen."

Shanina Shaik, who is a longtime ambassador for the lingerie retailer, has appeared in the catwalk show seven times since making her debut in 2011.

"Unfortunately the Victoria's Secret show won't be happening this year," she told the Daily Telegraph in July. "It's something I'm not used to because every year around this time I'm training like an angel."

The 28-year-old added that she doesn't think it's a permanent decision (so there may well be a VS fashion show 2020), and that the cancellation of this year's event was likely due to the organisers "trying to work on branding and new ways to do the show, because it's the best show in the world".

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Prior to the model's comments, it was previously reported that the show would no longer be broadcast on television - but there was nothing yet to suggest that it wouldn't be happening at all.

Fast forward two months from Shaik's interview, and Rihanna hosted her Savage x Fenty show spectacle during New York Fashion Week - an event which aired exclusively on Amazon Prime on 20 September. Naturally, the decision to broadcast the show meant that comparisons were drawn to VS - specifically the stark differences between the two brands. Rihanna's event demonstrated a body-positive, size-inclusive approach to lingerie that celebrated and empowered a diverse spectrum of women, causing many to announce that she'd triumphed where Victoria's Secret had failed. Her models - who were of different ethnicities, sizes and shapes - didn't simply walk down a runway, they twerked, stomped and danced their way through the show.

Earlier this year, Leslie Wexner, chief executive of Victoria's Secret's parent company, L Brands, confirmed that the VS show wouldn't be broadcast on network TV.

"We have decided to re-think the traditional Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show," he wrote in an email sent to fellow employees. "Going forward, we don’t believe network television is the right fit."

He also noted that the show, which was traditionally broadcast via US network giants ABS and CBS, "must evolve and change to grow". With this in mind, he wrote, L Brands hopes to create "a new kind of event".

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The news comes amid falling viewing figures, as the once-popular television event only drew in 3.3 million viewers last year in comparison to five million the previous year - making it a record low for the lingerie giant.

For almost two decades, fashion followers from across the globe tuned in to watch the likes of Bella Hadid, Kendall Jenner and Karlie Kloss transform into 'angels' as they walk the runway decked in bejewelled lingerie and feathered wings.

The cancellation of the show isn't entirely surprising, as Victoria's Secret has repeatedly come under fire for its lack of diversity on the runway.

In November 2018, former chief marketing officer, Ed Razek, was forced to apologise after claiming the public has no interest in seeing plus-size or transgender models on the catwalk.

"It’s like, why doesn’t your show do this? Shouldn’t you have transsexuals in the show? No," he said in the controversial Vogue interview. "No, I don’t think we should. Well, why not? Because the show is a fantasy. It’s a 42-minute entertainment special."

Shortly after the news broke that the fashion show broadcast was cancelled, it was announced that Razek was retiring, according to a note sent to employees by Wexner. The news was then confirmed by the New York Times.

The lingerie brand is working hard to reinvent itself post-scandal, as Wexner also hinted that Victoria's Secret is set to "push the boundaries of fashion in the global digital age".

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The brand also recently hired it's first transgender model. Valentina Sampaio will star in a campaign for the label's diffusion line Pink.

The 22-year-old took to Instagram to share the news that she was the brand’s latest recruit. Uploading a photograph of her sitting in a dressing gown, she captioned the shot: “Backstage click @vspink”. She followed with another post of her urging her followers to “never stop dreaming”.

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Fans were quick to congratulate the model and actress including a number of a-listers. Victoria’s Secret angel and fellow Brazilian, Lais Ribeiro, took to Twitter and said: “First transgender to shoot with VS! This makes me so happy!”. While Orange Is The New Black’s Laverne Cox wrote under Sampaio’s photograph: “Wow finally”.

Karlie Kloss, who walked in the show several times, recently explained why she chose to stop working with the underwear giant, saying that she didn't agree with the message it was sending to young women.

"The reason I decided to stop working with Victoria’s Secret was I didn’t feel it was an image that was truly reflective of who I am and the kind of message I want to send to young women around the world about what it means to be beautiful," Kloss told British Vogue. "I think that was a pivotal moment in me stepping into my power as a feminist, being able to make my own choices and my own narrative, whether through the companies I choose to work with, or through the image I put out to the world."

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Other high-profile models have also been outspokenly critical of the show in recent months. Kate Upton, who has never appeared on the VS catwalk, said that the brand's downfall has been its lack of inclusivity.

"You know what, we're sick of seeing the same body type," the 27-year-old said during an appearance on Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen. "You have to be body inclusive now. Every woman needs to be represented. Otherwise it's a snoozefest."

Kate Upton Kevin Mazur Getty Images

Upton has been on the receiving end of the lingerie label's narrow idea about ideal female beauty before. In 2012, Victoria's Secret casting director Sophia Neophitou said that Victoria's Secret "would never use her".

"She's like a footballer’s wife, with the too-blonde hair and that kind of face that anyone with enough money can go out and buy," Neophitou said.

Despite admitting her "disappointment" that the show wouldn't be happening this year, VS regular Georgia Fowler voiced her support for having a more diverse casting, saying that "there should be diversity because beauty comes in all forms".

The annual VS show typically took place in November every year, to be broadcast on television a month later. It was once the most-watched fashion event of the year with around $12 million (about £9.2 million) spent on putting the spectacle together - a huge figure considering most catwalk shows cost an estimated $1million (about £700,000).

Look back at every single look from the 2018 catwalk extravaganza, here:



Go backstage with the models in hair and make-up, here:

And see what the models wore to walk the pink carpet at the 2018 after-party, here:

Here's everything you need to know about the previous shows:

The line-up

While those responsible for casting the Victoria's Secret show probably already have a fairly good idea about who they want to appear on the catwalk, they still go through the theatre of holding castings, as with any other fashion show - which they often release video footage of. This means that several weeks prior to the show, you'll have a parade of models photographed arriving at the Victoria's Secret HQ in New York, giving us a pretty good indication of who might be appearing (although it's not always guaranteed; Hailey Baldwin was spotted turning up for a casting last year but didn't ever make the final line-up, as was Gigi Hadid who was later forced to pull out). At 2017's casting, they gave each of the models a pair of huge feathered wings to leave with, just to make sure people really noticed them.

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The models will then take to Instagram to express their delight at being selected for this year's show.

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The show generally features a mix of seasoned Angels, high-profile names and a fortunate batch of newcomers or lesser-known faces.

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Many of the world's most successful models have appeared on the Victoria's Secret catwalk at some point in their career, including Gisele Bündchen, Naomi Campbell, Rosie Huntington-Whiteley, Heidi Klum, Tyra Banks, Helena Christensen and Miranda Kerr.

The venue

The location of the Victoria's Secret show changes frequently; in 2018 it took place in New York. It's previously been held everywhere from London and Paris to Miami, Shanghai and LA.

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All the models will then travel to the location together via a VS private jet providing many an Instagram opportunity.

The Angels boarding their plane to London in 2014 Getty Images

The costumes

Often less is more when it comes to the VS show, with models typically showcasing little more than lingerie, heels and a pair of wings. There are always 'themes', like 'sexy sportswear' or 'sexy nightwear' or 'sexy fairyland nymphs' - and, despite the theatrical and often playful costumes, the underwear always takes centre stage (of course, let's not forget the entire point of this is to sell knickers).

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In 2017 the brand collaborated with Balmain on some one-off looks for the show, marking the first time that VS had teamed up with a high-fashion brand to produce pieces that will actually be made for retail. In 2018, this was followed by a collaboration with London Fashion Week favourite Mary Katrantzou.

"Everything that Victoria’s Secret creates is about a woman feeling confident and empowered — and also having fun with what she is wearing," Katrantzou said of the partnership. "This collaboration is going to be bold, fun and playful."

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There's also always one lucky Angel chosen to be the wearer of the 'Fantasy Bra', an ornate piece of underwear covered in eye-wateringly expensive diamonds and gemstones, usually produced by a luxury jewellery house.

Alessandra Ambrosio and Adriana Lima in fantasy bras - Getty

When an Angel is chosen to wear said bra, then it means she's a big deal - previous names to be bestowed with the accolade include Jasmine Tookes, Lily Aldridge, Adriana Lima and Alessandra Ambrosio. In 2017, Lais Ribeiro was the lucky girl – and was more than a little excited about being chosen.

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In 2018 the Fantasy Bra was designed by Atelier Swarovski and modelled by Elsa Hosk. The Swedish model was made an official Angel in 2015 and has walked in the show since 2011.

Courtesy of Victoria's Secret

The bejewelled bra was adorned with more than 2,100 Swarovski diamonds and was valued at $1 million. It took over 930 hours to create and has over 71 carats in the centre piece.

For the first time ever, customers were able to purchase a version of the fantasy bra (made with real Swarovski crystals), which retailed for $250 (about £205).

The performers

Every year the models are joined by some of the biggest names in music, who provide the soundtrack to each section of the show. For 2018, performers included Bebe Rexha, The Chainsmokers, Halsey, Kelsea Ballerini, Rita Ora, Shawn Mendes and The Struts.

Other stars to have performed in previous years include Taylor Swift, Harry Styles, Justin Bieber, Ed Sheeran, Selena Gomez, Lady Gaga, Kanye West and Rihanna.

Taylor Swift with Karlie Kloss in 2014 Getty Images

There will be glitter and lots of it

Whether backstage, on the catwalk or at the after-party, Victoria's Secret would be nothing without its unimaginable levels of pink and silver glitter. It's basically a larger-scale version of Paris Hilton's birthday party.

Expect some form of 'drama'

Remember the time Ariana Grande nearly got knocked out by Elsa Hosk's furry wings? Or the alleged 'awkwardness' between then-exes Bella Hadid and The Weeknd? Or when Yolanda Hadid posted that controversial childhood shot of nude Bella and Gigi in angel wings? Or when Jourdan Dunn described the brand as "BS" after she wasn't asked to return to the catwalk? Or when Cara Delevingne dismissed allegations she had been banned from the show because she was "too fat?" Another VS show calls for another round of drama.

Ariana Grande and Elsa Hosk in 2014 - Getty Images

Everyone will wear pink dressing gowns

The mastermind behind this marketing gem is unknown, but one of the most distinguishable markers of the VS show is its pink dressing gowns, worn by the models backstage prior to the event. These satin robes are sold online for around £45.

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Everyone will have 'mermaid hair'

Victoria's Secret is not one to push boundaries when it comes to its beauty. The favoured look of recent years? Fluttery lashes and long beachy waves. Today, you'd be hard-pushed to find a VS Angel with short cropped hair or any more alternative style.

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