Victoria’s Secret hires first male ambassador
After years of rebranding comes a new feather in the cap of Victoria’s Secret. The brand has announced the hiring of its first male ambassador. Darren Barnet will join Victoria’s Secret team as a model for the brand’s PINK athleisure line. Barnet currently stars in Netflix’s hit series Never Have I Ever, and will help Victoria’s Secret in its effort to push their gender-free hoodies and workout clothing.
In the announcement, the brand said, “it’s an acknowledgment of the work that lies ahead of us, a transparent look into where we are today, and a nod to where we’re headed.” After diversifying its model roster, Victoria’s Secret also announced that it hired a diversity officer and that restructured its board. 86% of its members are now women and 43% are racially diverse.
The brand first introduced its gender-free line in February 2021. With the announcement, it began to place male mannequins into a few of its stores. The newest release of the line that Barnet is a part of features pastels, tie-dyed shirts, shorts, and accessories. The apparel ranges from size small to size XXL and is meant to be dressed like an oversized fit.
According to PINK spokesperson Brooke Wilson, while Victoria’s Secret has used male influencers to advertise the line before, Barnet is the first male ambassador to officially sign on with the brand.
“Filming Never Have I Ever definitely brings me back to my high school days and reminds me of the insecurities and issues that we face as young adults. I know how it feels to not fit in, and how important it is to feel supported and accepted for who you are,” Barnet said in a statement. “I love the work that PINK is doing – especially their focus on community and mental health – so I’m really honored to be a part of this team.” He shared similar praise for Victoria’s Secret’s efforts to promote inclusivity in his Instagram post announcing his ambassador role.
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