Exclusive: Artist Lekha Washington Reimagines The Iconic Victoria's Secret Wings

In the age of cancel culture, where the idea of femininity and beauty are no longer archaic, brands that thrived on older notions are held accountable for the ideas they promote and propagate.

Since the beginning, the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show has been seen as a spectacle where scantily clad supermodels walked the runway dubbed as ‘angels’. Holding the bastian, the caucasian, thin bodies which were represented by the male gaze propagated a certain widely accepted stereotype of femininity. However, ‘angels’ donning lingerie alongside extravagant wings made out of rhinestones, feathers, and embellishments weighing almost 15kgs is probably now just gathering dust.

It was no more a cultural moment, as perceptions began shifting, the shows began to feel out of sync as the body positivity movement started gaining momentum. Shortly the American giant received backlash and came under the radar when the then chief marketing officer, Ed Razek, disregarded the concept of being inclusive by including plus-size and transgender models in the show.

As consumer values changed, the brand had no option but to cancel its 2019 fashion show for the first time in 23 years.

The beginning of a new era

Cut to October 2024, Victoria’s Secret fashion show is making a comeback. But this time, it feels different. The revival is more than just a resurgence. It is a move towards catering to a new generation of customers and a way to do things differently and inclusively, as to say. To make themselves relevant, they have decided to reimagine their good ol’ wings by collaborating with artists worldwide. The wings which were a symbol of beauty are now being redefined to fit the notion and power that lies in individuality.

For India, the collaboration Victoria’s Secret onboarded Mumbai-based artist Lekha Washington who has reimagined their iconic wings in the form of murals. The wings will be showcased in malls—Mumbai, Delhi, and Bangalore until the fashion show is over. These wings have been designed by keeping one overarching theme i.e. inner resilience and strength. In an exclusive conversation with Manifest, Lekha shares that “The thought process behind this collaboration was creating my rendition of Victoria’s Secret wings and seamlessly incorporating them with my Red Dot Chair, my most special creation to date. The three wing installations honour the personal style and artistic expression, something that I have always aspired to champion through my work.”

The metamorphosis of the wings

Lekha, who is known for her innovative designs and her iconic Red Dot Chair — a project that emphasises individuality and inner strength — serves as the inspiration for the wing murals. She adds, “The Red Dot Chair holds a special significance for me, as it was designed to celebrate the individual who sits in it. Victoria’s Secret wings, too, symbolise strength, individuality and uniqueness. When you look at the ethos behind both, there is a natural synergy. The installations came to life effortlessly as a result of this.”

A natural progression to amalgamate her design sensibilities with the brand’s evolving ideology, she shares that when the Apparel Group first approached her with the concept, she was both excited and curious. “Merging art with fashion is such a beautiful space to experiment and play in, especially when it is something as iconic as the Victoria’s Secret Wings. Almost instantly, I started piecing together the elements I would use and how it would all come together.”

The project is special to her because she has been familiar with Victoria’s Secret since childhood, and to Lekha it has always represented attention to detail. “I’ve admired their designs, bold colour choices, and the comfort of the lingerie. When Apparel Group approached me, I was eager to see how it would all unfold. Merging two distinct worlds has allowed me to create installations that reflect both Victoria’s Secret’s signature boldness and my artistic design perspective.”

Every installation has a unique element to it and the techniques for crafting the same have been tailored according to Lekha’s vision for the brand. She adds, “For the Delhi piece, I used luxurious fabrics, feathers, and ribbons to evoke a sense of grandeur. In Bangalore, the focus was on movement—I shaped ribbons into wing-like forms, blending fluidity with bold, structured lines to create a dynamic movement.”

However, Lekha tells us that the Mumbai installation was the most challenging one. “It’s an abstract interpretation of wings, inspired by the moment of a paint splash frozen in time. To achieve this effect, I experimented with a combination of silicone and brass, pushing the boundaries of both texture and form.” Lekha also adds, “Each piece reflects different elements of empowerment and individuality, allowing room for each city to find a reflection of itself within one of these artworks. I hope that every city will connect with the piece that resonates most with its unique energy and spirit.”

A new vision

It isn’t easy to collaborate with a global brand like such but Lekha managed to go beyond the glitter and come up with something meaningful…one that will hopefully steer the brand’s principles in the right direction. “To me, the Victoria’s Secret wings symbolize freedom and emotional resilience. They go beyond the glitter and glamour, they are about being true to who you are and embracing every facet of yourself. It's about accepting both your strengths and imperfections, overcoming challenges, and continuously striving for growth. At the core, the wings represent the ability to rise above difficulties to me.”

As the brand embarks on a new journey, it’s more than just putting up a glamorous show. The collaboration with Lekha portrays a new kind of authenticity—one where it is no longer about selling lingerie but celebrating everyone and their individuality.