A former Victoria's Secret model has hit out at the lingerie brand for its "performative allyship" amid its campaign to diversify its image.
In recent years, the fashion giant has gotten flak for its outdated branding, non-inclusive selection of models, and press statements.
And so, following a drop in sales, the company has decided to re-brand somewhat by replacing the Victoria's Secret Angels with the VS Collective.
The new brand ambassador group includes Megan Rapinoe, Priyanka Chopra, plus-size model Paloma Elsesser, and the lingerie retailer's very first openly trans model Valentina Sampaio.
However, Bridget Malcolm, who previously modeled for the brand, isn't buying it. The 29-year-old has alleged in a TikTok video that she was encouraged to maintain an unhealthy size while modeling for Victoria's Secret.
Check out Bridget Malcolm's damning video here:Bridget believes that their latest marketing move is "too little too late".
The model said: "I found my bra from the 2016 Victoria’s Secret fashion show. It is a size 30A, I am now a size 34B which is healthy for me."
It is at this point that she puts on the bra, revealing how tiny and ill-fitting it is now that she is at a "healthy" size.
Sharing an image of her wearing the 30A bra during a show, she says: "Look how big it was on me, the sadness behind my eyes from the 2016 show breaks my heart."
Bridget then claimed that Ed Razek, the former chief marketing officer for L Brands, refused to give her a spot on the 2017 Victoria's Secret show, allegedly telling her that her body "did not look good enough".
She concludes the video, proclaiming: "Victoria’s Secret your performative allyship is a joke."
In any case, Victoria's Secret has said of its new branding in a statement, per the New York Post: "There is a new leadership team at Victoria’s Secret who is fully committed to the continued transformation of the brand."
It goes on to say that there will be more of a focus on "creating an inclusive environment for our associates, customers, and partners to celebrate, uplift, and champion all women."