We used to rely on the position of the sun to tell the time, but on that Thursday afternoon in November 2003, the Victoria's Secret Fashion Show was the only thing that mattered. As a fashion-obsessed preteen, this show was my only access to the world of true glamour. Victoria's Secret was a store that offered both sexy grandeur and accessibility to the general public. It was clothing that you could touch and experience a fantasy. So watching the show, even from my living room, felt like an invitation to the coolest party on Earth. Amidst the celebrity audience and captivating performances, I felt a connection to the models, as if they were my people.
The show was a marketing masterclass, taking girls from ordinary cities and transforming them into stars with wings. The behind-the-scenes chaos and the iconic moments, like Karolína Kurková's broken shoe incident, added to its allure and live-feeling. Each segment had its own theme and was accompanied by live musical performances. It was a spectacle that evoked hysteria, especially when Tyra Banks, my ultimate diva, strutted the runway. As a chubby Black girl, it may seem surprising that I found inspiration in the Victoria's Secret Angels. But they represented a world of possibility and escape, a paradise I could imagine. Their perfection didn't make me feel inadequate; instead, it fueled my ambition.
The Victoria's Secret commercials were like mini action movies, filled with drama and intrigue. Despite the unrealistic standards they portrayed, they didn't diminish my self-worth. They ignited my desire to succeed. However, I now recognize that Victoria's Secret, especially during the early 2000s, wasn't inclusive for bodies like mine. But the confidence and sensuality displayed by curvy women on the runway made me feel powerful and desired. At 12 years old, that was all I wanted to feel.
Now, as I prepare to attend the Victoria's Secret Fashion Show as a guest, I can't help but feel nostalgic. Seeing familiar faces and experiencing the magic of the runway will transport me back to that childhood home bursting with dreams and possibilities. It will remind me of the wild obsession and the unapologetic attitude I used to have. Despite the flaws of the show, that feeling of excitement is irreplaceable, and I will continue to chase it until the end.
