Sara Sampaio on Victoria’s Secret and Consent in the Fashion Industry
In October 2017, Victoria's Secret Angel Sara Sampaio alleged that Lui magazine had tried to convince her to pose topless, and printed photos against her will that showed her breasts.
When the photos were published, she wrote on her Instagram that "Throughout the shoot day, I needed to constantly defend myself and reiterate my boundaries with no nude images, making sure I covered myself as best as I could. While reviewing the final images taken, I noticed that there were accidental exposures with parts of my body that I didn't want exposed. I spoke up and was assured that those images would not be used. The magazine lied and proceeded to publish a cover image of me with nudity, which was in clear violation of our agreement."
Now, she's opening up further about the experience. In an interview with Porter magazine, she explains that the experience left her feeling "violated." She added: "So, what, now every time I’m on a set, do I have to delete the photos to make sure nobody uses them?”
The model also outlined the fact that consent is an ongoing concept; just because she has posed nude in the past doesn't mean she'd want to do the same for this or any other shoot. “I’m fine with nudity," she told Porter. "I have done nudity in the past, but I don’t do nudity for men’s magazines. I can suggest nudity, but I don’t want to show my boobs to a men’s magazine.”
She also explained that, to her, the difference between posing for a men's magazine and posing for Victoria's Secret lives within its intended audience. “Victoria’s Secret is not geared towards men — we are selling lingerie to women," she said. "We are selling a dream."
In the past, a number of critics have spoken out against Victoria's Secret and the brand's annual Fashion Show for a lack of body diversity and inclusion in its casting. Sara stands behind the brand's ethos when it comes to selling lingerie. “I think it’s kind of hypocritical that now people want everyone to be equal, they want everyone to be a feminist. But if a girl is being sexy because she wants to be sexy, people are saying, ‘Oh, no, you can’t be sexy.’ Isn’t that anti-feminism?" she asks.
She's not the only model who has defended the brand in the Time's Up era. Karlie Kloss told The Telegraph that she believes "There's something really powerful about a woman who owns her sexuality and is in charge. A show like [the Victoria's Secret Fashion Show] celebrates that and allows all of us to be the best versions of ourselves. Whether it's wearing heels, make-up, or a beautiful piece of lingerie — if you are in control and empowered by yourself, it's sexy. I personally love investing in a powerful scent or piece of lingerie, but I ensure it's on my terms. I like to set a positive example, so would never be part of something I didn't believe in."
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