In the late 70’s Roy Raymond started a small company called Victoria’s Secrets, an underwear store designed to make men feel comfortable enough to by beautiful underwear sets for their wives.
Born out of necessity, Roy came up with the idea when he went to buy some underwear from a department store and said he was made to feel like a deviant.
Underwear at that time were functional pieces with lingerie kept only for the wedding night.
Unlike their European counterparts, American women were still very conservative about their underwear and likewise their sex lives.
Within a few years Raymond had built a small empire – 6 stores and a catalogue – revolutionising the type of undies American women wore and how they were bought.
The stores were filled with red velvet sofas, chaise lounges, silk drapes and dark wood.
The name was supposed to evoke the conservative nature of the Victorian era and the idea that their secrets were kept behind closed doors.
Victoria’s SecretsVictoria’s Secrets
While the catalogue – received well by husbands – also took on the look with scantily clad ladies which looked more like soft porn than just an underwear catalogue.
Within 5 years – 1982 – and with a nearly bankrupt Victoria’s Secret, Roy Raymond sold his 6 shops and catalogue to Leslie Wexner for a cool $1 million dollars.
Leslie soon realised that even though Roy Raymond had an amazing idea, it was his sales tactic that was letting him down.
By creating a boudoir style shop and catalogue Raymond had actually put off his main market – women.
Wexner set out to make a change. He studied the European market where women were still wearing beautiful lingerie but it was they who were buying it for themselves and wearing it as part of their everyday wear.
Since Wexner took over Victoria’s Secret has gone from strength to strength, growing into the billion dollar company that it currently is.
When Roy Raymond realised how much he had lost he unfortunately committed suicide. But what ended badly for Raymond was just the beginning for Victoria’s Secret.
Not only did Wexner change the brand look, which he described to Newsweek in 2010 as “like a brothel”, he made underwear in America more than just for the wedding night.
Women started to invest in their underwear, wearing it not for occasions but on a daily basis. There was a real revolution, pioneering the way for other underwear companies like La Senza and La Perla.
Today both men and women shop at Victoria’s Secret. It has become one of the worlds leading designers for lingerie, with Victoria’s Secret models now earning some of the highest fee’s for models anywhere – Lily Aldridge, Tyra Banks, Gisele, Naomi Campbell and Heidi Klum to name a few.
Victoria’s Secrets an iconic brand -Then and now.
The best news though is for us London ladies – Victoria’s Secret have now opened a store in London just last year with an amazing catwalk show that featured Ed Sheeran.
Victoria’s Secrets are one of the most iconic brands for women, for sensuality and sexual confidence – loved by men, adored by women. They have been inspiring women to be and feel their best when wearing underwear, something that’s not just for the honeymoon.
So ladies if you haven’t already grabbed yourself a little something from VS – do. If you have then it must be time to take a trip, so grab your purse and your man (or woman) and head on down to Victoria’s Secrets.
Jeremy Corbyn’s first week as leader of the Labour Party
Saturday September 12th 2015 Jeremy Corbyn was elected as the leader of the Labour party. So how has this controversial political character taken to the role, we take a look at his first 7 days as opposition leader.
Saturday 12th September
Jeremy Corbyn was elected as Labour’s new leader with a staggering 60 percent of the 400.000 votes and beating Tony Blair’s 57 percent when he was first elected leader in 1994 as well as eclipsing Blair’s support from individual members.
Known as a veteran left winger, Corbyn swept to victory on his promises of anti-austerity, renationalisation of the railways and scraping Trident Britain’s nuclear weapons programme.
His first act as leader was to address a “refugees are welcome” rally in Parliament Square, in which he urged the government to –
“Open your hearts and open your minds and open your attitude towards supporting people who are desperate, who need somewhere safe to live, want to contribute to our society, and are human beings just like all of us.”
Sunday 13th September
On Sunday Corbyn decided not to attend an interview on the Andrew Marr show.
When Corbyn declined Tom Watson Deputy leader took his place. In the interview Watson made his position clear that he opposes Corbyn when it comes to his view on nuclear weapons.
“I think the deterrent has kept the peace in the world for half a century,”
Instead Corbyn attended an annual NHS Mental Health Trust Fun Day – He tweeted
“Attended & spoke at Camden & Islington NHS Mental Health Trust’s Fun Day -important annual community engagement event”
David Cameron also made an extraordinary claim when he took to Twitter to say that
“The Labour Party is now a threat to our national security, our economic security and your family’s security.”
Which received an unlikely reply from the Russian embassy when they Tweeted–
“Just imagine UK media headlines if Russian President called a leading opposition party threat to national security?”
Corbyn also chose his shadow cabinet which was considered controversial for women not receiving many top positions in his shadow cabinet.
Members of the shadow cabinet who resigned from the party on Sunday include Chuka Umunna, Yvette Cooper, Liz Kendall, Jamie Reed, Rachel Reeves, Emma Reynolds, Tristram Hunt and Chris Leslie.
Monday 14th September
On Monday Mr Corbyn awoke to a furore regarding his appointment of the shadow cabinet lacking in women in the top positions- even his ex-wife criticized him for the top 5 position going to men.
The role of shadow chancellor held by John McDonnell, the shadow home secretary role was given to Andy Burnham, the shadow foreign secretary position to Hilary Benn and his deputy is Tom Watson.
However it should be noted that actually half of the roles are now held by women including some that could be considered top appointments- shadow health secretary now held by Heidi Alexander, shadow first secretary and business secretary was given to Angela Eagle, shadow education secretary position is now held by Lucy Powell and Diane Abbott is shadow secretary of state for international development.
As well as being criticized for a lack of women in the top jobs Corbyn’s policy for Trident came under attack from Labour MP’s demanding that Corbyn give assurances regarding his defence and economic policies.
Dozens of Labour MP’s challenged Corbyn regarding his view to leave Nato, campaigning for Britain to leave the EU and his opposition to Trident nuclear deterrent.
Tuesday 15th September
On Tuesday Corbyn faced even more criticism, this time for not singing the national anthem and the way he decided to dress at a Battle of Britain remembrance ceremony at St Pauls cathedral.
Attended by Prime Minister David Cameron and many service men and women, Corbyn stood in silence when the national anthem was played. He was described as being disloyal and disrespectful by those that had attended. Corbyn argued that he was stood in a respectful silence, and has said he will sing it in future.
But was this silent defiance a surprise to those who watched? We all know that Corbyn is not a supporter of the monarchy. However it seems the main opinion even from his own party members is that it was disrespectful to the brave pilots that fought so bravely for our freedom, after all that’s who the service was for.
Corbyn was also criticized for the clothes he chose to wear – a mismatched suit, a shirt that wasn’t buttoned to the top and a tie – he was called “shabby” and accused of “looking like a lecturer that got dressed in the dark.”
Wednesday 16th September
Wednesday saw Corbyn go up against David Cameron in his first Prime Ministers questions. Instead of using this time to show his leadership skills Corbyn changed the tone of PMQ’s by asking Cameron questions that has been sent in by Labour Members.
In the days preceding PMQ’s Corbyn had invited members to submit questions they wanted to ask Cameron, to which Corbyn had 40.000 replies.
He chose six questions about the housing crisis in the rental sector, the government’s cuts to tax credits and mental health which encouraged a non-theatrical, respectful response from Cameron seeing as he was answering to members of the public not the opposition leader.
Many felt that even though Corbyn managed to calm PMQ’s, he failed to show true leadership skills by firstly asking questions from the public but also failing to use his follow up reply to challenge the PM, allowing Cameron to just use his campaign sound bites – well polished, well prepared answers that got his policies across perfectly.
Samuel Hardy captured this iconic moment of Jeremy Corbyn standing in front of this Hezbollah flag
Also The Independent released a story of student, Samuel Hardy who photographed Jeremy Corbyn standing in front of a Hezbollah flag at a pro-Palestinian protest in 2012, refusing to let the media use it to “slander” the new Labour leader.
Honestly one could argue Corbyn has said enough about his position on Hezbollah, I don’t think that the picture can make it much worse than it already is.
Thursday 17th September
Jeremy Corbyn and Diana Abbott at a demonstration against road proposals, outside The Department for Transport in the 80’s
On Thursday the media had a filled day with a personal story of Corbyn’s affair with Diane Abbott in 1979 even though he was married at the time – do we really care.
Like any interest story there must be a best by date, how are two consenting adults having an affair 36 years ago any of our business now? Does it really speak for the man he is today? Or is it a sign that he has no respect for women or relationships and is a disloyal person with a lack of morals.
Also let’s not leave Ms Abbott out of that little revelation, after all she knew he was married – should we question her morals too? Or should we allow our view to be swayed by their behaviour now, not 36 years ago.
Friday 18th September
Arguably one of the more important headlines came out in The Week on Friday but surprisingly didn’t receive a lot of attention – Corbyn’s U-turn on the EU.
Corbyn issued a joint statement on Thursday with Hilary Benn shadow foreign secretary, saying Labour will definitely campaign to stay in Europe when the in/out referendum is called.
After days of uncertainty the Labour leader finally changed his position to the relief of many Labour members and I am sure business leaders too.
So what are Corbyn’s controversial policies that are splitting the Labour party?
Economy
. End to austerity
. Higher taxes for the rich
. Protection for those on welfare
. Crackdown on tax avoidance and evasion
. Corporate welfare tax breaks for companies
. A possible maximum wage to stop large wages paid at the top
. People’s Quantitative Easing (printing money) for new “large scale housing, energy, transport and digital projects”, creating “a million skilled jobs and genuine apprenticeships.
Foreign Policy
. The withdrawal from Nato
. Opposed to air-strikes against ISIL in Syria and Iraq
. A different international policy based on political solutions not military strikes
. Talk to those in the Middle East.
EU
. Will campaign to stay in the EU but wants to see a better Europe
. Opposes the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP)
Education
. A National Education Service, following the NHS model
. State-funded academies and free schools would be forced to return to local authority control.
. End public schools’ charitable status
. Tuition fees would be scrapped and replaced with grants
Health
. Eradicate PFI deals from the NHS by using government money to buy them out
Housing
. Rent controls in places like central London would be introduced
. The right-to-buy scheme, which allows tenants in council and social housing to buy their home, to apply to those living in privately-rented accommodation
. Decent homes for all in public and private sectors
Defence
. UK would not spend 2% of GDP on defence
. Trident would be scraped
Transport
. Opposed to the HS2
. Britain’s railway network would be renationalised
Energy
. Energy companies would be renationalised
. Fracking would be prohibited
. [Has said in the past] He would consider re-opening Britain’s coal mines
Political Reform
. Labour members to be more involved in the running of the party
. A review of membership fees to make the party more “inclusive”
. Ensure half of his shadow cabinet were women
Analysis
Corbyn’s first week has not been great for the new Labour leader. He has received much criticism from his own party members, media and the Conservative party even though he won a fair leadership contest with a majority vote.
It is arguable that he is in transition from a backbencher to party leader but staying true to his self has created a situation where he is seen as disrespectful, disloyal and not material for opposition leader.
His attempt to change PMQ’s to a more moderate exchange may have made a pleasant change from the schoolboy politics seen every Wednesday morning but it is unsustainable – he cannot keep using the public to put questions to the PM because it will make him look weak, and once he goes back to putting his own challenges to Cameron he leaves himself open to the type of ridicule Ed Miliband used to receive every week – either making or breaking him as Labour’s leader.
Arguably his policies and ideas for the future of the Labour party are divisive but they are also the thing that got him elected with a majority vote, however they have caused many Labour MP’s to resign already – Shouldn’t our elected MP’s be representing their Labour members, all that voted for Corbyn, it’s clear that Corbyn’s vision for the future is one that Labour members have embraced when they voted for him.
Yes his policies and beliefs are also idealistic, possibly unrealistic and quiet far left for the Labour party as we know it.
His anti-austerity message while may have many rejoicing it is just as important to realise there are economic risks which could see our benefit bill rise again without an appropriate way to cover the extra costs and the idea to print more money makes him look weak on the economy and as though he doesn’t understand the deficit.
Even Labour’s current shadow chancellor Chris Leslie, said that this would lead to higher inflation and interest rates, with the poorest paying the price.
Corbyn’s policies to renationalise the railway and energy company has received much support from the British public and cross party support – even the Conservatives are split 42/42 percent for the renationalisation of the railways.
His policy to allow private tenants the same “right-to-buy” is a little out there, for the life of me I don’t see how that could really work – will he force the landlord to sell their property, or does he mean the tenant should get a discounted first refusal when and if the landlord wants to sell?
Corbyn said he is opposed to the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership but what is it? – The TTIP is a series of trade negotiations being carried out mostly in secret between the EU and US.
A bi-lateral trade agreement, TTIP acts to reduce the regulatory barriers to trade for big business – food safety law, environmental legislation, banking regulations and the sovereign powers of individual nations.
Honestly I am quite pleased someone is taking that stand – secret trade agreements and reducing regulations has the potential to be quite harmful to everyday life especially if food safety and environmental legislation is taking a back seat to profits.
The TTIP is also a threat to our public services – NHS, education and water services – as it aims to open up Europe’s public services up to US companies and their possible privatisation.
I do feel his most controversial policy is his reluctance of air-strikes against ISIL especially as ISIL have proved that they cannot be reasoned with. While I respect the anti-military policy in favour of political solutions alongside talking to those in the Middle East, I am sceptical this approach would work with all that is happening in those regions today.
Leading nicely into one thought – is this the right time to get rid of trident and to consider leaving Nato?
Arguably the next 5 years will be interesting, we will either see Corbyn grow into a strong opposition leader worthy of victory at the next election or be beaten down only to resign after losing the next election like Ed Miliband, either way it will be one hell of a political ride and predictably going to be an exciting time for Labour.
I am however sure that by the time we reach the next elections not only will Corbyn have to concede defeat regarding some of his more radical and idealistic policies in favour of more realistic ones, I am sure we will see many U-turns if Corbyn genuinely hopes to lead the Labour party to a win at the next general election.
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