7.07.98
I was looking at a Victoria's Secret "Angels 2000" brochure today. The models all look rather scary, like lingerie-clad Klingons. Anyway, I noticed that of the four models, all were white. "Hmm," I thought, "I think I shall call Victoria's Secret and see what they have to say about that!" And now, for the rest of the story:
Annie calls 1-800-HER-GIFT and listens to the recorded British voice (British, but VS is a Cleveland-based company). "Press whon foh cahtahlohgh oh-ah-dahs. Press tew to rekwehst a cahtahlohgh..." There was no number to press for customer comments, so I pressed one and was whisked from hearing a Londoner to midwesterner. She transferred me to customer service, and that's where the fun began.
phone: VICTORIA'S SECRET CUSTOMER SERVICE THIS IS JENNIFER!
jennifer: YES SHE IS!
me: Well, so I looked at the rest of the brochure, and there are four leggy supermodels with impossibly perfect bodies-
jennifer: YES! ESPECIALLY STEPHANIE SEYMOUR! SHE'S HAD THREE BABIES!
jennifer: TYRA TYRA TYRA! TYRA!
me: I do have something positive to say, though.
me: Hello! I have a comment about this insert that came with my bill.
jennifer: OKAY!
me: It's the Angels 2000 foldy brochure.
jennifer: OKAY!
me: Yeah, anyway, I was looking at it, and boy is Stephanie Seymour busty-
me: Yes, that's nice, but what I wanted to say was that there are no women of color. Just white women in underwear.
jennifer: TYRA BANKS IS OUR SPOKESMODEL-
me: She's busty too.
jennifer: YES, AND SHE'S ALL NATURAL!
me: Yes, I know, I read her book [I am embarrassed to admit this, but I did, and she's not a dingbat], but Tyra isn't on this brochure, and you know, it's not just white women who need underwear.
jennifer: TYRA BANKS IS OUR SPOKESMODEL! SHE IS OUR OFFICIAL VOICE! SHE GOES AND TALKS ABOUT OUR PRODUCTS! VICTORIA'S SECRET IS PROUD TO HAVE TYRA AS OUR SPOKESMODEL!
me: But my point is that there aren't any women of color featured in here, and I'm a white girl from the midwest, and it still seems odd-
jennifer: BUT WE DO HAVE TYRA WEAR OUR LINE!
me: Well, yes, but I'm just saying, it would be nice to have a more diverse representation as far as models go.
jennifer: YES!
me: That French model you've been using, Laetitia Casta? First of all, can I say that I am jealous because I am her age and I certainly do not look like that? Anyway, I'm glad that she's not super skinny. She has a bit of pudge.
jennifer: YES SHE DOES!
me: I like the French pudge.
jennifer: WELL, I'LL BE SURE TO ENTER YOUR COMMENTS INTO THE DATABASE!
me: Okay. Thanks.
jennifer: THANK YOU FOR CALLING VICTORIA'S SECRET!