Victoria's Secret has come under fire for some wildly insensitive remarks made by Ed Razek, chief marketing officer for L Brands. The senior executive recently told Vogue that trans models don't belong in the "fantasy" of a Victoria's Secret fashion show.
Related | Trans Women Don't Exist in Victoria's Secret's Fantasy World
"It’s like, why doesn’t your show do this? Shouldn’t you have transsexuals in the show? No. No, I don’t think we should. Well, why not? Because the show is a fantasy. It’s a 42-minute entertainment special. That’s what it is."
He also explained why the brand doesn't embrace plus-sized models.
"We attempted to do a television special for plus-sizes [in 2000]. No one had any interest in it, still don’t."
Suffice to say, social media was not having it. Razek and the lingerie brand have received swift backlash in the few days since the interview has gone live. But now, Razek has issued an apology via the brand's Twitter.
Please read this important message from Ed Razek, Chief Marketing Officer, L Brands (parent company of Victoria’s Secret). pic.twitter.com/CW8BztmOaM
— Victoria's Secret (@VictoriasSecret) November 10, 2018
For many, the apology felt less than sincere. Members of the community have responded to Razek's half-hearted apology that does little to address the problematic nature of his original comment. It's clear that a simple manufactured apology won't make up for the action that this brand has been lacking for years.
Chile that weak ass apology!!! Keep it!!! "It's not about gender"?? Girl bye and girl stop!! It's ridiculous in 2018 and with all that's going on in the world, your company would say something so heinous and discriminatory. Who is y'all publicist??#problematicAF #CANCELLED
— Alexandra Grey (@1alexandragrey) November 10, 2018
Wow the Victoria’s Secret guy’s “apology” is just as BS as his original statement. What an idiot.
— Courtney Conquers (@courtneyconquer) November 11, 2018
The only reason Victoria’s Secret is even giving an apology is because they saw folks boycotting them.
— Rebecca Theodore-Vachon (@FilmFatale_NYC) November 10, 2018
So you “admire and respect” transgender people, but think they can’t “make it” as models? What a BS apology. Ed Razek, your transphobia is showing! Victoria’s Secret needs to make a change and it should start at the top. https://t.co/V4SYmWPzDG
— Eric Rosswood (@LGBT_Activist) November 10, 2018
I'd like to remind all of you keyboard warriors that Ed Razek, the CMO of Victoria's Secret, also made derogatory comments about having plus size models in the show but excluded those women in his apology.
Funny how you conveniently left plus size women out of your outrage, too.— Sarah Conley (@imsarahconley) November 10, 2018
