Victoria’s Secret CMO Ed Razek quits days after first trans model is hired

// Victoria’s Secret CMO quits days after the lingerie retailer hires first trans model
// Brazilian model Valentina Sampaio was hired to modernise the brand image
// Razek made transphobic comments in Vogue last year

Victoria’s Secret chief marketing officer, Ed Razek has resigned just days after the lingerie retailer hired its first ever openly trans model.

The upmarket retailer recently hired Brazilian model Valentina Sampaio in a move to modernise its image.

Sampaio shared a picture of herself on Instagram on Saturday taking part in a shoot for Victoria’s Secret’s Pink line, which is primarily targeted at younger customers.

https://www.instagram.com/p/B0oDsqnC2am/

Last year, in a controversial statement to Vogue, Razek said “transsexual” models should not be cast “because the show is a fantasy”.

This isn’t the first time the lingerie retailer has faced criticisms for its controversy.

Last year, Razek also told Vogue that plus-size models did not fit the Victoria’s Secret mould and audiences had “no interest” in seeing them.

He later apologised for his remarks.

Despite his apology, viewing figures for the retailer’s 2018 fashion show slumped to an all-time low and faced declining sales and store closures.

The news of Razek’s resignation came via a note from Victoria’s Secret’s parent company L Brands chief executive Leslie Wexner.

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