Victoria’s Secret CMO Is Sorry For What He Said About Not Using Transgender Models
Victoria’s Secret found herself in hot water this weekend, after it’s chief marketing officer, one Mr. Ed Razek put his foot in his mouth during an interview he did with Vogue. In the interview he revealed that he wouldn’t cast trans or plus-sized models in his show because that shit is gross! No, he had a different reason, which was just as much of a mess.
While talking to Vogue, Ed let out a whole ton of insulting garbage regarding plus-size women, trans women, and man even brought up Rihanna, because talking shit about Our Island Queen of Cosmetics always goes over well in the public sphere. Here’s what pissed people off:
“Shouldn’t you have transsexuals in the show?… No, I don’t think we should… Because the show is a fantasy. It’s a 42-minute entertainment special… 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… Everybody keeps talking about Rihanna’s show. If we had done Rihanna’s show, we would be accused of pandering without question… 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…. We market to who we sell to, and we don’t market to the whole world… We attempted to do a television special for plus-sizes [in 2000]. No one had any interest in it, still don’t.”
Of course people went off on Ed for his remarks. Piers Morgan‘s favorite model, Tess Holliday took to Twitter to shame Ed and Victoria’s Secret, as well as trans model Carmen Carrera:
Who needs VS anyway?! They never supported plus ladies & now they are trying to dis my trans sisters? Hell nah. Kiss my fat ass @VictoriasSecret pic.twitter.com/aRevb4Qfee
— Tess Holliday ? (@Tess_Holliday) November 10, 2018
That’s cool. We will keep giving @Elomi_lingerie @TorridFashion @lanebryant #SavageXFenty @hipsandcurves @PlayfulPromises our money. ✌?✌?✌?✌?✌? https://t.co/hzLlEYWjOf
— Tess Holliday ? (@Tess_Holliday) November 10, 2018
All this VS drama got me feeling so nauseous.
— Carmen Carrera (@Carmen_Carrera) November 10, 2018
The worst feeling in the world is knowing you have what it takes but are being denied simply for being who you are.
— Carmen Carrera (@Carmen_Carrera) November 10, 2018
After the blowback, Ed sent out a message via the Victoria’s Secret Twitter account apologizing for what he said:
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
Nobody was believing that shit and they told him as much:
*yawn* https://t.co/pFGUcPj4lH
— Tess Holliday ? (@Tess_Holliday) November 10, 2018
Nawww, keep that same energy. He said what he said and how he said it. We get it. We aren't welcome. ✌
— Isis King (@MsIsisKing) November 10, 2018
Kendall Jenner, who walked in the show and whose mother is one of the most famous trans women today (unfortunately), also slapped at Victoria’s Secret but not in a biting-the-hand-that-feeds-you way. She posted the following to her Instagram story:
What a shocking moment in history! Can you believe this? This is so surprising and mind-blowing to me. Normally when you think of Victoria’s Secret you think of a brand that fosters high-self esteem in women of all shapes and sizes. Who would have thought they’re actually an exclusionary brand focused on one-type of image? Next you tell me that the Kardashians are self-obsessed or that Lindsay Lohan is delusional. I can’t handle this much shock at one time!
Pic: Wenn.com