For years, Victoria’s Secret Angels were criticized for representing an almost impossible-to-achieve beauty ideal: very slim bodies, highly produced campaigns, and an image of “perfection” that many women felt was too distant.
But when looking at these photos of Candice Swanepoel and Adriana Lima from 2011 today, it is also hard to ignore why they became two of the brand’s most iconic faces. Beyond the standard they represented, their presence, confidence, and beauty on camera were undeniable.
And that is where the debate emerges: can a beauty standard be criticized for being unrealistic while, at the same time, admitting that those who represented it were extraordinarily beautiful? 👀✨