Impossibly long limbs, honeyed skin and taut torsos;
Victoria’s Secret models are modern day goddesses. Not too skinny and not too
athletic, with soft curves where they ought to be, these flawless models have
come to represent the new bodily ideal. The childlike waifs that ruled the
nineties, noughties and beyond have been replaced by glossy and classically
beautiful women that are more than a little bit desirable, and their bodies are
the piéce du résistance.
A Victoria’s Secret Angel is more than a model- they are at
the top of their game and have become aspirational for many. It is an honour to
be graced with the wings that accompany the delicately seductive lingerie, and it
is one experienced by a very select few. Glamourous women like Doutzen Kroes and
Miranda Kerr are seasoned walkers at the spectacular Victoria’s Secret shows,
and for many years their toned and tanned physiques have been their livelihood.
Though the Angels may not represent the skinny fragility
that has been the norm in the fashion industry for many years, their physiques
are every bit as unattainable. Even more so, perhaps. While it is relatively
easy to avoid biscuits and cakes or to swap a sandwich for a salad, it is less
so to incorporate a tailored four-hour workout into the working day. Long and
lean, these bodies are the glorious product of personal trainers, strict diets
and immense dedication, and have been christened as “designer” bodies.
Surely, though, a body is a body, and it should not be so
fiercely controlled. While there is no denying that these models have been
rather lucky genetically, they still work tirelessly on their bodies to ensure
total, unrivalled perfection. When every inch of their body is under scrutiny,
every inch must be without fault. The Angels represent the new wave of
supermodels, matching the income and lifestyle that made the eighties supers so
iconic. For them the hard work has paid off, and they have come to represent
the new female ideal. However, in reality, is it really worth the effort?
Getting a body fit for the multi-million dollar Victoria’s
Secret show is a full time job, and undoubtedly leaves little time for a social
life. While no man would be complaining to have an Allessandra Ambrosio-esque
beauty on his arm, he may grow to detest her true soulmate: the personal
trainer. Though the physical results may be dazzling, adopting an Angel’s
approach to diet and exercise could become exhausting, a damaging pursuit of
impossible perfection.
Essentially the body of a Victoria’s Secret Angel is not
natural, and having this image thrust forth as the new feminine ideal is not
healthy. It goes without saying that the perception of beauty has evolved over
time, and will continue to do so, but the real issue is that the aspirational
is becoming increasingly unattainable, and the army of Victoria’s Secret Angels
are strutting further and further away from reality.
