Is Victoria's Secret Sexualising Children?

Lingerie brand Victoria’s Secret’s Bright Young Things collection (launched under its young Pink label's line) has stirred up a whirlwind of controversy since its initial public launch.

Victoria's Secret Bright Young Things
(Courtesy of: kiss925.com)

An online petition on Facebook is protesting the brand should withdraw it’s collections from stores and more than 1,500 parents are posting their anger on VS's Facebook page. The campaign has some parents accusing the popular brand of targeting (and sexualising) preteen and young teen girls. The brands underwear contains sexually suggestive messages like “wild”, “call me” and “feeling lucky”, which are angering parents and some people of the public. On Facebook Victoria’s Secret Company responded, "Victoria's Secret PINK is a brand for college-aged women."

Victoria's Secret Bright Young Things collection
(Courtesy of: examiner.com)

Despite recent rumors, we have no plans to introduce a collection for younger women. 'Bright Young Things' was a slogan used in conjunction with the college spring break tradition." The Victoria Secret store has recently opened in the London Oxford Street and has been hugley successful. 

However, the backlash on this collection underlines parents constant worry and battle in today's society to protect their children from the media and fashion industry that are trying to sexualise them. Big retailers such as Marks & Spencers been all been accused in the past of sexulising their children. But are the retailers really sexualising children or is just parents over reacting? If the parents didn't want  their children to wear the items they don't have to buy them. But the fact retailers are constantly bringing out similar items must been there is a demand for them.

Juicy Couture
(Courtesy of: lilsugar.com)

Perhaps if victoria secrets brand's advertisements and marketing campaigns displayed more of an effort in its focused on the “college aged” point, the controversy may have been avoided? Well-known luxury brand Juicy Couture sells their very own version of the "days of the week" underwear  This is geared towards a teenage demographic, but portrays a message of "fun and flirty," rather that "sexy and naughty".  So it could be down to how the brand market the items by using sexy model its intiates that sex appeal. I wonder how much this will effect retail sales, there is always a chance that the negative attention only increased consumer’s awareness of the collection, therefore it may even increase business retail sales for the popular lingerie brand. 

Vogue Paris Ad
(Courtesy of: fashion.telegraph.co.uk)

On the same token, Vogue Paris’ December 2010 issue featured a shoot with young girls reclining on tiger-skins and sprawled on beds in full-blown make-up and designer gowns, which sparked a negative light (especially considering how many wealthy retail shoppers who are mothers). So is the fashion industry really having an impact and sexulising children? I personally think that the main retailers have pushed the boundaries in the past offering young girls the chance to buy push up bras. But I dont think it is just the fashion industry sexulising the children, the media industry has a huge influnece with the likes of Rihanna who is known for her sexy bad girl personality.However i do believe the battle between parents and retailers will continue into the future, with many retailers mostly focused on profit and not what is right.  

Luxury Brand Campaigns for Spring/Summer 2013

I love to keep updated to the latest fashion campaigns and having an awareness of what buyers and consumers are looking for in fashion retail.

All the popular luxury brands’ campaigns create new and exciting campaigns each season that capture millions of people attention. Not only do the campaigns help drive sales, but also influence what retailers and use them as a way of staying on top of what consumers are looking at. Here are some of the best fashion and luxury brand campaigns for Spring/Summer 2013.

Alberta Ferretti S/S 13

Varsace S/S 13

Mulberry S/S 13

Proenza Schouler S/S 13

Stella McCartney S/S 13

Buberry S/S 13

Bottega Veneta S/S 13

(All photos courtesy of: elleuk.com)

LK Bennett for Younger Women

I work for LK Bennett in the Selfridges concession and as an employee I get to really appreciate the quality and the brands efforts to reflect its modern British heritage in each collection. LK Bennett has established itself as a leading British brand, offering collections of shoes, clothing, handbags and accessories.

Linda Bennett set up the first L.K.Bennett shop in Wimbledon Village, with a goal to produce "something in-between the designer footwear you find in Bond Street and those on the high street”. Because of her equal emphasis on comfort and glamour, Bennett earned the nickname “Queen of the Kitten Heel”

Over the years the shoes have been worn by any celebrities and 

Kate Middleton, Duchess of Cambridge, is frequently seen wearing the clothes and shoes increasing the sales of the brand further.

The company are expading rapidly and are introducing different ranges and collections to stores in hopes to appeal to the younger market. LK Bennett in the future want to be the destination for most young professionals, however at the moment have a slightly older consumer. 

This seasons collection are bright youthful and fun!!

An exciting collaboration with London-based style icon Caroline Issa; an exclusive capsule collection of shoes and bags. The collection was inspired by Caroline’s trips to Thailand, Hot, neon Thai inspired embroidery, captivating colours, oriental flowers and pom-poms show the way to breezy, easy summer-time glamour. The collection is very elegant and sophiscated with a splash of fun with the bright colours and pom poms. The shoes were only avaiable in London however the Selfridges concession in Birmingham were lucky enough to receive the collection and they truly were amazingly!

I believe that over the years if LK Bennett do more collaborations with designers to raise their profile even more and the constant interest in the brand from celebrities, the businesses goals to appeal to the younger market will defiantly succeed and I look forward to seeing what they have to offer in the next collection!!