Fallen Angel

Victoria’s Secret is a cultural phenomenon, known for its glitzy annual fashion shows, mass-market success, and superstar models known as "Angels." But behind the glittering facade of fierce female empowerment, the multibillion-dollar lingerie megabrand was built on something else entirely.

Back in the '80s and '90s, the modeling industry was largely fueled by young women but ruled by middle-aged men. These industry gatekeepers claimed they were discovering major talent, but some models say that, behind closed doors, it felt like they were being hunted for sport.

Welcome to Fallen Angel, a documentary podcast about Victoria's Secret...and its many, many secrets. The series investigates the origin story of one of the world’s most iconic brands and its effect on American culture for nearly 40 years, all told by women who witnessed what really happened behind the curtain. Fallen Angel goes back to the beginning of the lingerie megabrand to confront the many ways the brand influenced how a generation of women think about sex, desire, and beauty. The series also explores Les Wexner, the private man who has been at the head of the company for over 35 years, and his association with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.

An entrepreneur discovers a gap in the lingerie marketplace and creates a store built on the allure of a fictional British noblewoman named Victoria. But it’s not until eccentric Ohioan businessman Les Wexner acquires the brand that Victoria's Secret grows into the global sensation it is today.

Victoria's Secret heads into the world of high fashion and introduces an elite and exclusive tier of models called Angels. Behind the scenes, models eager to maintain Angel status fear what will happen if their wings are stripped away.

Victoria's Secret continues its reign with the introduction of their youth line, PINK, and the diamond-encrusted Fantasy Bra. But some employees suspect that the glossy image is a mirage, signifying a possible turning point in the brand's vision.

Several new and inclusionary lingerie brands crop up as the culture shifts to focus on what women want. After years of dominating the market, can Victoria's Secret keep up?

Feeling pressure to evolve, Victoria's Secret confronts its checkered past and attempts an ambitious brand overhaul. Meanwhile, women who were once beholden to the brand's fantasy grapple with the residual damage.