
ICYMI Baz Luhrmann's 'Australia' is a now full on TV series
If you woke up this morning and thought, damn, I wish Baz Luhrmann's 2008 film
2023-10-19 22:08

Researchers designed a robotic backpack that gives you extra limbs
Designed by KIMLAB and nicknamed the PAPRAS: Backpack after KIMLAB’s Plug And Play Robotic Arm
2023-10-19 21:21

Netflix's 'Rustin' biopic trailer sees Colman Domingo as the legendary civil rights leader
We've seen a glimmer of it, now the whole trailer is here. Netflix's upcoming biopic
2023-10-19 21:09

Women's health app Flo launches feature for partners
Period and cycle tracking app Flo is unveiling a much-anticipated feature: Flo for Partners. The
2023-10-19 21:00

Victoria’s Secret returns to ‘sex sells’ ethos after ‘feminist’ rebrand fails to boost sales
Just weeks after pledging to deliver a new feminist approach to its brand, Victoria’s Secret appears to have reverted to its tried and tested “sex sells” strategy following a slump in sales. The US lingerie chain had attempted to rehabiliate public perception following criticism that it promoted typically thin, white models as the preferred beauty standard. Relaunching its once blockbuster fashion show in September, Victoria’s Secret replaced its “Angels” with the VS Collective – a group of diverse, successful women including Megan Rapinoe and Priyanka Chopra. But executives are now reportedly re-embracing “sex appeal” after the short-lived makeover failed to boost sales. During a presentation last week, a top executive said Victoria’s Secret would be the subject of an image overhaul, adding “sexiness can be inclusive”. “Sexiness can celebrate the diverse experiences of our customers and that’s what we’re focused on,” Greg Unis, brand president of the company’s youth-focused venture Victoria’s Secret & Pink, told investors on Thursday (13 October). The reboot is part of a larger strategy to revive its sales after a five-year marketing overhaul fell short of expectations. According to the Business of Fashion, Victoria’s Secret is projecting $6.2bn in earnings this fiscal year – a five per cent drop on sales in 2022, and well below the $7.4bn sales reported in 2018. Now, Victoria’s Secret has laid out a roadmap to bolstering its revenue, including cost-cutting, reviving its swimwear and activewear ranges, and further expanding its offerings to include products such as sweaters, slip dresses, and corsets. Giving its stores a more “welcoming” facelift is also part of the plan. Chief executive Martin Waters added that the retailer’s inclusivity initiatives and campaigns had “not been enough to carry the day”, referring to the company’s performance in recent years. Once the purveyors of Swarovski-studded undergarments and unrealistic body standards, Victoria’s Secret has, in recent years, embarked on a journey to shed its hyper-sexualised image and pay attention to changing social norms. Its initial attempt to adjust its image came hot on the heels of declining sales due to the emergence of inclusive and diversity-friendly brands such as Rihanna’s Savage X Fenty and Third Love, as well as several controversies including top management at L Brands – the former parent company of Victoria’s Secret. In 2018, L Brands’ then-marketing boss Ed Razek sparked a backlash when he declared that Victoria’s Secret would never cast transgender and plus-size models in its annual Fashion show because it’s a “fantasy”. Razek resigned the following year after he was accused of inappropriate behaviour with models – allegations he called “categorically untrue, misconstrued or taken out of context”. Around the same time, an investigation by The New York Times uncovered ties between L Brands’ former chief executive Lex Werne and convicted paedophile Jeffrey Epstein, which further sullied the reputation of Victoria’s Secret. In an effort to rehabilitate its image, the brand’s recent campaigns have featuring stars such as former US women’s football captain Megan Rapinoe, plus-size models Paloma Elsesser and Ali Tate-Cutler, and Brazillian transgender model Valentina Sampaio. Last month, Victoria’s Secret: The Tour ‘23 was released on Amazon Prime, with the company declaring the televised catwalk event was the “ultimate expression” of its commitment to a new Victoria’s Secret that’s more in step with the times. Despite its struggles, Victoria’s Secret still owns a lion’s share of the north American market today. “We’ve been insufficiently differentiated in this difficult market,” Waters said, during the meeting last Thursday. “[But] our ambition of being the world’s leading fashion retailer of intimates apparel is unchanged.” Read More Victoria’s Secret was never feminist – why are they bothering to try now? Victoria's Secret overhauls its racy fashion catwalk in its latest moves to be more inclusive From Naomi Campbell to Hailey Bieber: All the top models and celebs in Victoria Secret’s new Icons campaign
2023-10-19 20:25

Nestlé is closing an infant formula factory as China's birth rate plunges
Nestlé plans to close a plant in Ireland that makes baby formula, citing a sharp drop in China's birth rate, in a fresh example of the far-reaching implications of China's demographic crisis.
2023-10-19 19:47

Secrets of the 'world's best hotel'
Passalacqua, a luxury hotel on Lake Como, was voted the best hotel in the world this month at the inaugural World's 50 Best Hotels awards. Here's why its management think it won.
2023-10-19 18:56

Barbie, Shah Rukh Khan Hits Lift Profit at Top India Movie Chain
India’s biggest multiplex operator PVR INOX Ltd. swung to its highest ever quarterly profit as people thronged to
2023-10-19 18:52

Bottoming TikTok: Meet the creators educating the internet about anal sex
Anal sex, especially when you’re bottoming, can feel like a game of Russian roulette. Actually,
2023-10-19 18:22

Georgia May Jagger hails Jerry Hall her beauty inspiration
Georgia May Jagger looks up to her supermodel mom Jerry Hall as a beauty inspiration.
2023-10-19 18:15

Scarlett Johansson is terrified of receiving facials
Scarlett Johansson is "terrified" of facials because her struggles with acne in the past have made her wary of what she uses on her skin.
2023-10-19 18:15

Sergio Perez addresses Red Bull future amid retirement speculation: ‘I want to stay’
Sergio Perez has dismissed rumours he may retire from Formula 1 and insists he wants to continue in the sport for “at least three to four more years.” The Red Bull driver is second in the 2023 F1 world championship standings behind world champion Max Verstappen but is now only 30 points ahead of third-placed Lewis Hamilton, having not won a race in the best car on the grid since April. The 33-year-old has particularly struggled since the summer break, scoring just five points in his last three races. Perez’s poor run of form has fuelled speculation about his seat for 2024. He has a contract until the end of next season, but rumours have sprung up that the Mexican may it call it a day at the end of this season, especially if Red Bull have told him behind closed doors that he won’t keep his seat. However, Perez has moved to squash those rumours and, having been a permanent fixture on the grid since the 2011 season, sees himself in the sport for more years to come. “Well, right now, I have a contract for next year – and it will be important to have a good year,” Perez said, as reported by Planet F1. “I have the motivation to continue and I want to stay for more years because I believe that I still have a lot to give in Formula 1. “I would like to stay in F1 for at least three to four more years.” Perez will be eyeing an improved run of form in the forthcoming triple-header, with his home race in Mexico City sandwiched in-between Austin and Sao Paulo. This weekend’s US Grand Prix is also the penultimate sprint weekend of the season, giving the grid another opportunity to attain valuable points. Read More Nicolas Hamilton: ‘Lewis has never put a penny into my racing... it’s not easy being related to him’ McLaren confirm first female driver in development programme Daniel Ricciardo to make F1 return from injury at United States Grand Prix
2023-10-19 18:14
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