Sometimes it's hard to know where they want you to focus with this one. At times, it feels like it should have been titled "the case against Les Wexner" - and rightfully so based on what was presented. The body image claims about Victoria's Secret in all fairness could be made about virtually any swimsuit, lingerie or even fashion brand during their heyday. The current generation has brought fresh perspective to size, shape and inclusivity In the last 3 - 5 years. We can't revise history and lay all the blame of prior ills on one company. As a grown woman, I never looked to Victoria's Secret for framing my own opinion of myself, even though I liked their lingerie back in the day. Their shows were tongue and cheek at best but certainly not a 'to-be' model for me/my image. Like many streaming documentaries, this one probably could have been covered very well with one, 90 min well-edited episode that picked a lane in which to focus. Much of the content is regurgitated across episodes for shock value but little new ground is actually tread.
23 Reviews
Only scratching the surface
nedaderusek15 July 2022
I expected much more, the documentary is mostly speculation and things we all want ANSWERS for, yet they're questions themselves.
I expected some of the VS angels to talk about what they saw/experienced, but they must be under a lot of NDA contracts.
Overall, could've been better. Hopefully someone else makes a docuseries with the actual details and uncoverings.
I expected some of the VS angels to talk about what they saw/experienced, but they must be under a lot of NDA contracts.
Overall, could've been better. Hopefully someone else makes a docuseries with the actual details and uncoverings.
I don't know. Again.
thejdrage14 July 2022
First off - in answer to another reviewer, whenever Trump is mentioned, so was Bill Clinton and, off and on, Prince Andrew was tossed in to add royal enticement. So, this is an equal opportunity exposure doc. Trump and Clinton were mentioned as former Presidents. And it shows Trump with his wife, and Clinton with Lewinsky, so, if anyone was being bashed, I'd say it was Clinton, but what do I know. That's also not the point of this documentary. It's VS, their products, advertising and, of course, the models.
It is absolutely too long. It tells the tale of how a (rather competitive) young man bested his mom and dad in the Ohio retail arena and went on to create one of the biggest and most culturally influential brands in the fricking world! And who they stepped on to do it.
Also, how they forgot who they were and what they became, and made missteps and, well ..... you'll just have to watch it.
It is absolutely too long. It tells the tale of how a (rather competitive) young man bested his mom and dad in the Ohio retail arena and went on to create one of the biggest and most culturally influential brands in the fricking world! And who they stepped on to do it.
Also, how they forgot who they were and what they became, and made missteps and, well ..... you'll just have to watch it.
Quite informative
Turanic15 July 2022
It was an interesting story of Rise and Fall of Victoria Secret and how Epstein was doing hell a lot of evil stuff behind the curtains that were visible to all the Elite and yet nobody bothered, it was an interesting theory how Victoria's secret might have been a CIA tool to control leading politicians, big business people and even Royalties by blackmailing them, I mean it's obvious the rulers did not want Epstein to talk or anyone to find that safe with CD's, because if he/they did we might have had a global revolution ...
That's it?
briagrace23 July 2022
Honestly, it was very informative... particularly the bits about the mysterious relationship (financial and otherwise) between Wexler and Epstein.
Maybe because the series tried to cover so many different angles, it felt incomplete by the end.
I was actually really surprised that it was over... there wasn't a traditional wrap up vibe.
I still recommend watching it though... had a lot of interesting details.
Maybe because the series tried to cover so many different angles, it felt incomplete by the end.
I was actually really surprised that it was over... there wasn't a traditional wrap up vibe.
I still recommend watching it though... had a lot of interesting details.
Not surprising
jennparis-0592910 September 2022
Warning: Spoilers
Since working for VS I was curious to watch this. The L brand thing was spot on. Always pushing to get those numbers up, no matter what the costs and I kind of wish they would have mentioned the workers for VS. I would like to know why we were given such a strict script and told to evade customers space constantly.
Regarding the models, I feel they should have definitely spoke up. Abuse in your workplace/life is never ok.
This was more a documentary on powerful evil men then on VS.
Honestly I feel VS should just be a memory., or the least change it's name. The toxicity it once was will probably always be remembered. Some of the models still use filters and try to stay thin when in reality that's not most women.
Regarding the models, I feel they should have definitely spoke up. Abuse in your workplace/life is never ok.
This was more a documentary on powerful evil men then on VS.
Honestly I feel VS should just be a memory., or the least change it's name. The toxicity it once was will probably always be remembered. Some of the models still use filters and try to stay thin when in reality that's not most women.
Could have / should have gone deeper
elisa-grant6 October 2022
Warning: Spoilers
This is clearly interesting to anyone even remotely aware of the Jeffrey Epstein connection- which Wexner can downplay all he likes but it was clearly exceptionally important to them both. Imagine how much could have been avoided had this relationship never existed!
The story behind the marketing genius of Wexner and the monumental rise of Victoria's Secret is fascinating in itself. As an Australian I was less aware of the size and scale of his business interests than an American would surely be however it's clear that one would struggle to find a person (at least in the western world) who had not heard of the flagship store.
The doco is enriched with first hand accounts of people who worked for and with the brand as well as accounts from journalists who have investigated the company - in particular with regards to the link to Epstein.
Its a shame that the doco didn't delve further into what is clearly a very dark undercurrent of the story - with Epstein and with other key personnel at VS. There was surely more that could - and should - have been said.
While it seems the story is far from "over" - both in terms of the brand and with the legacy of Wexner - it feels as if a portion of the story has been left out. Like an episode 4 is missing...
The story behind the marketing genius of Wexner and the monumental rise of Victoria's Secret is fascinating in itself. As an Australian I was less aware of the size and scale of his business interests than an American would surely be however it's clear that one would struggle to find a person (at least in the western world) who had not heard of the flagship store.
The doco is enriched with first hand accounts of people who worked for and with the brand as well as accounts from journalists who have investigated the company - in particular with regards to the link to Epstein.
Its a shame that the doco didn't delve further into what is clearly a very dark undercurrent of the story - with Epstein and with other key personnel at VS. There was surely more that could - and should - have been said.
While it seems the story is far from "over" - both in terms of the brand and with the legacy of Wexner - it feels as if a portion of the story has been left out. Like an episode 4 is missing...
Really good.
rdoubleoc19 July 2022
This is really good. The only thing I disliked is that it didn't all seem to be in chronological order, but maybe it was and it just didn't seem like it.
Once you see a documentary like this with a lot of information in it, I really feel cheated by all the other Epstein documentaries (that only focused on his island, which nobody really knew anything about).
It's good, though. I read a LOT of news, and never heard half of this, so I'm still urprised. I wish Hulu would make a documentary about 2020 riots, just for historical purposes.
Once you see a documentary like this with a lot of information in it, I really feel cheated by all the other Epstein documentaries (that only focused on his island, which nobody really knew anything about).
It's good, though. I read a LOT of news, and never heard half of this, so I'm still urprised. I wish Hulu would make a documentary about 2020 riots, just for historical purposes.
Detailed
lu_lou_belle19 July 2022
Warning: Spoilers
I see people are disappointed that there's nothing that directly ties all of the speculation up in a series of tight confessional bows, also that it wasn't about Victoria's Secret but just about Epstein. It is telling the story of Lex Wexner's business ties and does use extensive interviews of his former staff as well as fashion industry personnel and industrt writers an critics. It's format is to further drill into detail from episode to episode. Folks, we aren't going to ever know what people won't speak to or can't out of fear of legal or other entanglements, including somehow bringing Southern Air Transport from Miami to Columbus, Ohio in the 1990's during the Voinovich administration. You can follow that lead down the rabbit. You will come up with A Usual Suspects of well connected people with close ties to clandestine capers and international misadventures.
This is what it's like when we get a brief peak underneath the hood of the emperor's limo. There have always been Kaiser Soze's and there always will be.
If you think this is too woke then maybe you shouldn't have watched a doc with a subtitle 'angels and demons'.
This is unraveling a few strands and weaving a story with what can be confirmed of a thoroughly corrupt and nepotistic world and it is indeed messy. I thought it was well done and professional, so much more so than what you will see on your infotainment news networks whatever poltical labels you put on them..
This is what it's like when we get a brief peak underneath the hood of the emperor's limo. There have always been Kaiser Soze's and there always will be.
If you think this is too woke then maybe you shouldn't have watched a doc with a subtitle 'angels and demons'.
This is unraveling a few strands and weaving a story with what can be confirmed of a thoroughly corrupt and nepotistic world and it is indeed messy. I thought it was well done and professional, so much more so than what you will see on your infotainment news networks whatever poltical labels you put on them..
Everything AND the kitchen sink
carlos_carpio21 July 2022
This would probably have made a good 60 to 90 min documentary but producers must have decided that rambling for 3 hours was a better idea. The last chapter, the one that's supposed to bring it all home, just goes bananas wilt every conspiracy theory out there regardless of where it comes from.
Hugely disappointing.
Hugely disappointing.
Eye opening ...
nightravensong27 July 2022
Leaves one perplexing question,....
pidstr27 February 2023
Warning: Spoilers
...., About the writers and editors of this investigative piece.
All through the telling of this Machiavellian ensemble drama, we have hints, and then an outright question in the closing, about what secret Epstein may have found about Wexner, that was so inflammatory that the billionaire would look away while Epstein committed such egregious acts.
Yet, during the second of the three episodes, the production team give us that answer, but don't seem to realize it themselves.
Instead we are treated to misdirection and rambles, and of the things that have come to light involving government agencies and people from both sides of US politics, entertaining but not answering the question of what Epstein had on Wexner.
To this we must ask, did they find the woman Wexner's mother disapproved of? How many children did she have before Wexner married? And has she ever had difficulty in meeting any of the costs of raising them?
All it would take is Epstein threatening to reveal such, to destroy the family life of Wexner from the inside out.
All through the telling of this Machiavellian ensemble drama, we have hints, and then an outright question in the closing, about what secret Epstein may have found about Wexner, that was so inflammatory that the billionaire would look away while Epstein committed such egregious acts.
Yet, during the second of the three episodes, the production team give us that answer, but don't seem to realize it themselves.
Instead we are treated to misdirection and rambles, and of the things that have come to light involving government agencies and people from both sides of US politics, entertaining but not answering the question of what Epstein had on Wexner.
To this we must ask, did they find the woman Wexner's mother disapproved of? How many children did she have before Wexner married? And has she ever had difficulty in meeting any of the costs of raising them?
All it would take is Epstein threatening to reveal such, to destroy the family life of Wexner from the inside out.
Basically a Jeffery Epstein documentary
qtddm17 July 2022
Warning: Spoilers
Really wanted to enjoy the documentary, it started out strong with the founding of the brand and early development and rise to success. However, after repeating the same few notes on Victorias Secret, the remainder of the 3 episodes mini series felt entirely like a Jeffery Epstein documentary. I understand and agree that mentioning the relationship between LBrands founder Les Wexner and the aforementioned Epstein was important and relevant to the history of the brand, there became a point where it completely digressed.
For example the second half of the final hour long episode spiraled into full conspiracy theories about Epstein being a CIA operative and Wexner creating an AI to store his intelligence (remember this is a documentary about Victorias Secret, right ?) Had this series just been boiled down the the main topic it would have made for a much easier to watch single episode.
For example the second half of the final hour long episode spiraled into full conspiracy theories about Epstein being a CIA operative and Wexner creating an AI to store his intelligence (remember this is a documentary about Victorias Secret, right ?) Had this series just been boiled down the the main topic it would have made for a much easier to watch single episode.
Should have been called The Epstein Story
rmoons1015 July 2022
This is primarily the retelling of the Epstein story, packaged with some of the bad behaviors of 2 men who led Victoria's Secret to the height of their success, and then ultimately brought the company to the brink of extinction because they were egotistical, misogynistic and refused to evolve with the times. There was nothing new in here that you haven't read or seen if you've followed the countless other segments on Jeffrey Epstein, or read any articles about Victoria's Secret from a few years ago. Could have been better had they just focused on Victoria's Secret, with a reference to the Epstein connection with Les Wexner; or focused on Epstein and referenced the connection with Wexner and Victoria's Secret. Trying to tell both stories missed the mark for me.
Inconsistent
catschasemice959415 July 2022
A very long documentary that is in need of editing. Episode One is especially drawn out. The story is lost in endless clips of underwear models flogging scanty panties. The Victoria angels over shadow the narrative of the rise of Wexner, Epstein and the mall culture that dominated the 80s and 90s. Episode Two has more content. Episode Three ends with fifteen minutes of deep dive theories about the behavior of Wexner and Epstein which should have had more development. The theme of wealth and capital is touched upon but that too is underdeveloped. Did certain prominent politicians and billionaires escape the fact finding? I did not get enough of that even though this was a long series.
A marketing vehicle disguised as an exposé
TheTruthofItIs28 July 2022
Victoria's Secret - Angels & Demons (single season, 3 eps, 1hr, Hulu) is one of the "softest" exposés you'll ever see, and I learned nothing new about any of this. The first episode is for those who have no idea what Victoria's Secret is, so 98% of you can skip right to episode two which starts to delve into the Harvey Weinstein, Jeffrey Epstein scandals and their relationship to VS and its CEO Les Wexner. It's largely denials and professions of ignorance, same crap, different program distributing said crap. The final episode adds Ghislaine Maxwell and her story, the MeToo movement, and how Instagram with its Influencer corps ran right past VS whose stock has plummeted 70% from its 2015 high of $100/sh. This series is largely a waste of your time. In large part it's still a marketing vehicle for the brand, and as noted there's nothing new, no new revelations, just the same denials you've heard since the '90s.
Overshadowed
ErReads19 July 2022
This documentary had so many interesting elements and history to explore regarding its topic. But unfortunately all of that was was overshadowed by the non-stop slew of pouty lips, cleavage, etc etc. SO.., let's see, in a documentary pointing out the sexism and misogyny of these billionaire men, the documentary itself fully embraced the objectification of women- in order to (likely) please men viewers.
It was kind of disgusting, to be quite honest. Could have been a 7/10 if more restraint in documentary style had been applied. Instead, gets a 3/10.
It was kind of disgusting, to be quite honest. Could have been a 7/10 if more restraint in documentary style had been applied. Instead, gets a 3/10.
The never-ending legacy after Jeffrey Epstein's death
rkeilitz-19-53791515 July 2022
This 3 part much too long documentary really does not answer the many still open questions about what really went on within the world of Victoria's Secret. The major players being Epstein, Edward Razek who was the Chief Marketing Officer for L Brands, his boss Les Wexner and his spouse Abigail S. Koppel. They surely have many more secrets than Victoria has all which ex- employees skate around but never really say much about anything.
Still Nothing Substantial.
helenahandbasket-9373415 July 2022
It's a constant byline in all episodes of Epstein and Wexner, and of COURSE there's a sad little bitter man who's doing nothing but griping about everything and everyone, without a single utterance of what was happening AT THE TIME.
While sure, NOW we're all supposed to be 'body positive!!'; you cannot appreciate the female body when it's in its perfect form, and we must all constantly tell every woman they're beautiful!! They're perfect!!! They're stunning!!, the fact is, there will ALWAYS BE men who probably won't admit to it now, but will still think to themselves what the perfect woman looks like.
So now that we can no longer talk about it, we absolutely cannot showcase it, unless you're also going to highlight women who do not fit that mold. Because of course we are. We can pretend all we want, but you can't for one second tell me there's not an underlying thought of what is perfect and stunning.
As a middle-aged, somewhat overweight (by these standards, anyhow) I'm secure enough to know that I'm absolutely not the epitome of perfection, and can 100% admit these are beautiful women. I'm not sure why we've become so concerned with feelings that we can no longer admit what truths exist, but it seems completely insane that we're trying to pretend a fallacy when even the youngest girls know the truth.
If you have to develop an eating disorder to collect that million dollar payment as a model, there's always the option to walk away, take a job at the mall as a salesperson, so I'm sorry if I'm devoid of empathy for girls who starved themselves or became anorexic- you always have the option to walk away. Just because you chose to collect that check doesn't entitle you to an ounce of sympathy.
There's still nothing but wild speculation surrounding Epstein and by proxy, Les Wexner. But still nothing of substance to add to the discussion. I read a review hoping for someone else to do a documentary and offer more information, but short of our own federal government releasing the troves of information on the real facts behind the case(s), no one else will do more.
Our government is in possession of millions upon millions of miles of film from Epstein's private library, yet we've yet to see even a single frame, why is that? The conspiracy theorist in me knows exactly why this is- too many people of too high of positions within our country and those of other countries, that this will never be released. Even with the prosecution of Ghislain concluded and her sentencing complete, Epstein long dead, there's not an utterance of information coming forward. We'll never know the extent to which his vast empire of degeneracy went, nor the people working behind the scenes. I have no doubt it goes all the way up the food chain- into Hollywood (well known for their levels of filth) the federal government, federal agencies, etc., and there's absolutely no way this information ever sees the light of day.
Maybe this is simply a figment of my imagination, but ask yourself, why did Ms Maxwell refrain from saving herself? I have no doubt that she knows all too well what went on, yet she held her lips tighter than a child's grip on candy- why?
This entire series is nothing but wild speculation and accusations that amount to nothing more than a seedy romance novel- skip this tawdry tale that amounts to nothing, and definitely skip over anything the self-righteous Michael Gross has to offer. Others in this series don't offer much by way of facts, but Mr Gross is the epitome of his surname.
While sure, NOW we're all supposed to be 'body positive!!'; you cannot appreciate the female body when it's in its perfect form, and we must all constantly tell every woman they're beautiful!! They're perfect!!! They're stunning!!, the fact is, there will ALWAYS BE men who probably won't admit to it now, but will still think to themselves what the perfect woman looks like.
So now that we can no longer talk about it, we absolutely cannot showcase it, unless you're also going to highlight women who do not fit that mold. Because of course we are. We can pretend all we want, but you can't for one second tell me there's not an underlying thought of what is perfect and stunning.
As a middle-aged, somewhat overweight (by these standards, anyhow) I'm secure enough to know that I'm absolutely not the epitome of perfection, and can 100% admit these are beautiful women. I'm not sure why we've become so concerned with feelings that we can no longer admit what truths exist, but it seems completely insane that we're trying to pretend a fallacy when even the youngest girls know the truth.
If you have to develop an eating disorder to collect that million dollar payment as a model, there's always the option to walk away, take a job at the mall as a salesperson, so I'm sorry if I'm devoid of empathy for girls who starved themselves or became anorexic- you always have the option to walk away. Just because you chose to collect that check doesn't entitle you to an ounce of sympathy.
There's still nothing but wild speculation surrounding Epstein and by proxy, Les Wexner. But still nothing of substance to add to the discussion. I read a review hoping for someone else to do a documentary and offer more information, but short of our own federal government releasing the troves of information on the real facts behind the case(s), no one else will do more.
Our government is in possession of millions upon millions of miles of film from Epstein's private library, yet we've yet to see even a single frame, why is that? The conspiracy theorist in me knows exactly why this is- too many people of too high of positions within our country and those of other countries, that this will never be released. Even with the prosecution of Ghislain concluded and her sentencing complete, Epstein long dead, there's not an utterance of information coming forward. We'll never know the extent to which his vast empire of degeneracy went, nor the people working behind the scenes. I have no doubt it goes all the way up the food chain- into Hollywood (well known for their levels of filth) the federal government, federal agencies, etc., and there's absolutely no way this information ever sees the light of day.
Maybe this is simply a figment of my imagination, but ask yourself, why did Ms Maxwell refrain from saving herself? I have no doubt that she knows all too well what went on, yet she held her lips tighter than a child's grip on candy- why?
This entire series is nothing but wild speculation and accusations that amount to nothing more than a seedy romance novel- skip this tawdry tale that amounts to nothing, and definitely skip over anything the self-righteous Michael Gross has to offer. Others in this series don't offer much by way of facts, but Mr Gross is the epitome of his surname.
Very Little Story
ilcooney18 July 2022
There was nothing we already didn't know in the first two episodes. I fast forwarded them. When Victoria's Secret underwear was selling I never wore it as it was not practical or comfortable. They make it sound like everyone wore it. It was not interesting to watch anorexic young women who could afford plastic surgery parading around in lacy undergarments. Very sad that people like Wexner made billions outsourcing the labour to make their products in third world countries by people who lived in poverty. The less I know about these people the better. The real story will never be told and there is no justice.
Meh
ucc-0173517 July 2022
Warning: Spoilers
It's interesting. I would've given it a high rating, but the director & producers seemed nervous or unwilling to admit a closer tie between Wexner, Epstein, & others. 1st 2 episodes they completely portray Epstein as blackmailing, using, and manipulating Wexner. Which is untrue, & the viewers who have listened & read articles from Webb, Glass, Ramsey know this.
They also paint Victoria Secrets as struggling from MeToo movement and the "desire from inclusion, diversity, & equity" in models. Which is also crap, & a misdirect, to confuse the viewers and take the blame off of Wexners close ties to Epstein, Maxwell, & Israeli Agencies.
The show had the potential to show Wexner & VS in the same light as the A&E doc on playboy & Heff, but maybe Hulu was scared. Watch the show & then read/listen to Whitney Webbs work & William Ramsey's work.
They also paint Victoria Secrets as struggling from MeToo movement and the "desire from inclusion, diversity, & equity" in models. Which is also crap, & a misdirect, to confuse the viewers and take the blame off of Wexners close ties to Epstein, Maxwell, & Israeli Agencies.
The show had the potential to show Wexner & VS in the same light as the A&E doc on playboy & Heff, but maybe Hulu was scared. Watch the show & then read/listen to Whitney Webbs work & William Ramsey's work.
Documentary about Epstein (with some mentions of VS)
annharju8 September 2022
Warning: Spoilers
This was a joke. The documentary was not about VIctoria's Secret for 80% of the time but about Jeffrey Epstein.
Epstein was only loosely relevant person to the Victoria's Secret saga (if at all to it's rise & downfall) since he was a friend of the VS- founder. The document was spending even more time about Epstein than the founder.
I was waiting to see more about how feminish, metoo etc. Changed the world and how VS could not keep up but that was all just quicky mentioned and then back to Epstein.
How is it relevant to Victorias Secret that I watch 3 hours of explanation in how Epstein was harassing women and what happened to him in jail?
Epstein was only loosely relevant person to the Victoria's Secret saga (if at all to it's rise & downfall) since he was a friend of the VS- founder. The document was spending even more time about Epstein than the founder.
I was waiting to see more about how feminish, metoo etc. Changed the world and how VS could not keep up but that was all just quicky mentioned and then back to Epstein.
How is it relevant to Victorias Secret that I watch 3 hours of explanation in how Epstein was harassing women and what happened to him in jail?
No theme
alyssajams-014818 September 2022
I have no idea what this was a documentary on. I found it generally interesting but it's basically a news article giving you small bits you need to look into yourself separately. I just don't know if it was a Victoria secret story, les wexner doc, or about Jeffrey Epstein. Should've picked a theme or focus and really dove in. I would've even been fine with one smaller category then half ass doing all of them. I almost wish this had been a l brands documentary- the rise and fall as honestly the most interesting parts was the retail story. Everything else was lengthy suspicions and questions and 0 info for answers.
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