The brand's inability to adapt to the changing socio-technical landscape mirrors what happens when an actor fails to renegotiate its position within a network. The rise of Aerie and other brands championing body positivity and inclusivity can be seen as a classic example of how new actors, carrying different values and meanings, can disrupt existing networks.
The link between Victoria's Secret and Jeffrey Epstein adds another layer to this analysis. It highlights how an actor's associations can profoundly impact its legitimacy and standing within a network. Epstein's actions cast a shadow over the brand, impacting its relationships with consumers and other stakeholders. It exemplifies how a network is not just about material connections but also about moral and symbolic ties.
The #MeToo movement serves as a broader societal force reshaping the network's landscape. It brought to the forefront issues of power, gender, and representation, forcing brands to re-evaluate their practices and messaging. Victoria's Secret's struggles can be partly attributed to its failure to effectively respond to this network-wide shift in values.
Victoria's Secret's potential for reinvention hinges on its ability to re-establish its position within these evolving networks. It must re-negotiate its relationships with consumers, address its past missteps, and align itself with the values and expectations of the current socio-technical context. The brand's future depends on whether it can successfully navigate these complex network dynamics.
In the face of the absurd, as Camus might suggest, one must embrace a renewed sense of responsibility and forge one's own path, much like a brand seeking to redefine itself within a network of relationships and meaning.