IE 11 is not supported. For an optimal experience visit our site on another browser.

Victoria's Secret pulls 'sexy little geisha' lingerie after backlash

By Jada Wong, StyleiteVictoria’s Secret has come under attack for a ”sexy little geisha” outfit that was being sold on its website.The outfit is part of the retailer’s Go East collection, a line of Asian-inspired negligées and accessories. The ensemble, modeled by South African beauty Candice Swanepoel, consists of a mesh bodysuit with an oval cut-out on the bodice and an “Easter
Offensive? Victoria's Secret is under attack for a new geisha-inspired outfit that has since been pulled from its website.
Offensive? Victoria's Secret is under attack for a new geisha-inspired outfit that has since been pulled from its website.Victoriassecret.com

By Jada Wong, Styleite

Victoria’s Secret has come under attack for a ”sexy little geisha” outfit that was being sold on its website.

The outfit is part of the retailer’s Go East collection, a line of Asian-inspired negligées and accessories. The ensemble, modeled by South African beauty Candice Swanepoel, consists of a mesh bodysuit with an oval cut-out on the bodice and an “Eastern-inspired” floral print on the bra cups and bottoms, a mini fan and removable obi-belt in the same print, and hair chopsticks with tassels.

The outfit is undoubtedly sexy (even though Swanepoel looks a bit uncomfortable in it), but some say it's offensive to Asian women — particularly the Japanese, from whom geisha culture originated. Historically, geishas are professionally trained entertainers and generally cater to a male audience, but many non-Japanese mistake them for prostitutes.

Possible cultural misidentification aside, critics say the outfit perpetuates the sexualization of Asians, while some — such as writer Jessica Wakeman of The Frisky — say that a corporation capitalizing on a geisha ensemble for “role-playing lingerie seems a bit tasteless”.  Others, however, think critics are overreacting and that the backlash is "ridiculous".

"You might as well [criticize] the 'sexy French maid' [costume] for sexualizing French women," wrote commenter Inna on Styleite.com. "It's meant to be playful and sexy, not degrading."

Unsurprisingly, the link to the specific outfit and the category page were both pulled down this morning, but screen captures still exist. We reached out to Victoria's Secret for comment, but as of press time we hadn’t heard back.

Do you think the outfit is offensive? Let us know!

More from Styleite:

Rihanna’s new video misses the mark on Chinese culture

Toyota uses transgender model in controversial new ad

Hollister ‘models’ taunt customers at store opening in South Korea