The lingerie and beauty products needed the right people to promote the merchandise and the company decided to hire the most beautiful models, calling them Victoria Secret Angels. The world of lingerie was given a boost in 1977 when the Victoria’s Secret Company hit the stores. In addition to stores, the merchandise is sold though mail order catalogs and the models became familiar faces in them. There are around 1,000 lingerie stores and 100 beauty stores in America and the company was the most successful lingerie supplier by the beginning of the 1990s.
They also appeared in the company fashion shows, always a high profile media event. Stores are usually located in shopping malls. The catalog has eight issues a year and the product line has expanded to include shoes, perfumes, sleepwear and evening wear. The lingerie line includes bras, hosiery and panties. During the 1990s, supermodels were brought in to promote the goods in advertising campaigns and on the runway. The Victoria Secret Angels first appeared in 1999 at the 4th Annual Victoria Secret Fashion Show. The Angels are seen to be spokeswomen for the company and not just models.
