The Love Story Behind Victoria’s Secret

The Beginning of a Love Story

In 1977, a young woman named Gaye Raymond from England was vacationing on a beach in Los Angeles. She noticed a man frequently observing her and sketching something. Intrigued and slightly annoyed, she approached him. The man, Roy Raymond, was captivated by her beauty and was inspired by her swimsuit. He introduced himself and shared his dream of starting a lingerie store. Gaye, feeling playful, introduced herself as "Victoria" and when asked about her swimsuit, she replied, "It's a secret."

The Birth of Victoria's Secret

Roy Raymond was so inspired by this encounter that he decided to name his store "Victoria's Secret." He envisioned a place where men could comfortably shop for lingerie for their partners. In 1977, he opened the first Victoria's Secret store in Palo Alto, California. The store was an immediate success, generating $500,000 in its first year.

Challenges and Heartbreak

Despite their connection, Gaye had a fiancé back in England, arranged by her parents. She returned to England, leaving Roy heartbroken. Roy wrote numerous letters to Gaye, but her father intercepted them all. Distraught and unable to focus, Roy's business began to suffer. In 1982, he sold Victoria's Secret to Leslie Wexner, the founder of L Brands, for $1 million. Under Wexner's leadership, the brand flourished, becoming a household name.

The Legend Continues

Gaye, unable to forget Roy, eventually divorced her husband and moved to the U.S. in 1983. She joined Victoria's Secret as a saleswoman and quickly rose through the ranks. By 1986, she was appointed as the manager and later became the chairman of the board. Under her leadership, Victoria's Secret became one of the top lingerie brands globally.

In 1991, after a TV show, Gaye received a package containing a swimsuit with the label "Victoria's Secret." It was sent by Roy's mother. Tragically, Roy had passed away after a car accident. The swimsuit was his final gift to Gaye, a symbol of their brief but impactful encounter.

Victoria's Secret Today

Today, Victoria's Secret is a multi-billion dollar company, known for its annual fashion shows and iconic models. The brand has over 1,000 stores worldwide and continues to be a leader in the lingerie industry. According to Statista, Victoria's Secret generated $7.5 billion in revenue in 2020.

Little-Known Facts

• Roy Raymond's Vision: Roy Raymond's initial vision was to create a store where men could comfortably shop for lingerie. This unique approach set Victoria's Secret apart from other lingerie stores at the time.
• Rapid Growth: After Leslie Wexner acquired Victoria's Secret, the brand's sales skyrocketed from $500,000 to $1 billion within a decade.
• Cultural Impact: The annual Victoria's Secret Fashion Show, which started in 1995, became a cultural phenomenon, attracting millions of viewers worldwide.

Conclusion

The story of Victoria's Secret is not just about a successful business but also about love, loss, and resilience. From a chance encounter on a beach to becoming a global brand, Victoria's Secret's journey is a testament to the power of inspiration and determination.

For more information on the history of Victoria's Secret, you can visit Business Insider and Statista.

Note: The story of Gaye Raymond and Roy Raymond is a fictionalized account based on the real-life founder of Victoria's Secret, Roy Raymond. The details have been dramatized for storytelling purposes.