Welcome to Fallen Angel, a documentary podcast about Victoria's Secret...and its many, many secrets. The series investigates the origin story of one of the world’s most iconic brands and its effect on American culture for nearly 40 years, all told by women who witnessed what really happened behind the curtain. Fallen Angel goes back to the beginning of the lingerie megabrand to confront the many ways the brand influenced how a generation of women think about sex, desire, and beauty. The series also explores Les Wexner, the private man who has been at the head of the company for over 35 years, and his association with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Victoria’s Secret is a cultural phenomenon, known for its glitzy annual fashion shows, mass-market success, and superstar models known as "Angels." But behind the glittering facade of fierce female empowerment, the multibillion-dollar lingerie megabrand was built on something else entirely. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
An entrepreneur discovers a gap in the lingerie marketplace and creates a store built on the allure of a fictional British noblewoman named Victoria. But it’s not until eccentric Ohioan businessman Les Wexner acquires the brand that Victoria's Secret grows into the global sensation it is today. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
After acquiring Victoria's Secret, Les Wexner creates his own idyllic fantasy town in New Albany, Ohio, drawing the interest of many members of the local elite. Soon, Wexner would attract a New York money manager named Jeffrey Epstein. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Back in the '80s and '90s, the modeling industry was largely fueled by young women but ruled by middle-aged men. These industry gatekeepers claimed they were discovering major talent, but some models say that, behind closed doors, it felt like they were being hunted for sport. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Victoria's Secret heads into the world of high fashion and introduces an elite and exclusive tier of models called Angels. Behind the scenes, models eager to maintain Angel status fear what will happen if their wings are stripped away. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Victoria's Secret continues its reign with the introduction of their youth line, PINK, and the diamond-encrusted Fantasy Bra. But some employees suspect that the glossy image is a mirage, signifying a possible turning point in the brand's vision. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Several new and inclusionary lingerie brands crop up as the culture shifts to focus on what women want. After years of dominating the market, can Victoria's Secret keep up? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Feeling pressure to evolve, Victoria's Secret confronts its checkered past and attempts an ambitious brand overhaul. Meanwhile, women who were once beholden to the brand's fantasy grapple with the residual damage. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
With Kate Middleton's "disappearance" in the headlines, Infamous investigates another Princess who absconded: Meghan Markle. But on the Infamous podcast, the real question is, who is Meghan? Is she a fearless advocate speaking out against an antiquated institution? Or an opportunist obsessed with managing her public image? Or…both? This week, we’re investigating Meghan’s complicated, layered family drama, from public conflict with her half-sister Samantha to her dad’s staged paparazzi photos. Vanessa gives us the inside scoop based on her reporting on Meghan for Vanity Fair and The Cut. A Campside Media & Sony Music Entertainment production. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Listen on Infamous to a story about a stay-at-home mom Ruby Franke. She starts a Youtube channel, joining a popular niche of Mormon women sharing their lives online as mommy vloggers. While Ruby gains a following for her videos of the everyday life of a big Mormon family, we hear from Ruby's former neighbhor, who sensed that something dark was going on in her home. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
On Infamous, co-hosts Vanessa Grigoriadis and Natalie Robehmed join forces to talk about the most notorious scandals of the rich and famous. In this special preview, we’ll play some of the episode where Vanessa reunites with Justine Harman to talk about the past, present, and future of Victoria’s Secret. You can listen to the full episode for free, right now, here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Barbarella MaClure
Meghan Markle is not a princess officially or otherwise
Beth Anway
Surprisingly, not a bad podcast