Christopher Balding, Columnist

Victoria's Secret Meets China's Security

A fashion show should've been an easy PR coup. Not in China.

Papers, please.

Photographer: Matt Winkelmeyer/Getty Images
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At one point, it must’ve seemed like a good idea. Victoria’s Secret, the American lingerie brand, was making a major push to expand its business globally. China, marketing a “New Era” in international relations, wanted to project a confident, business-friendly image to the world. So holding the 2017 Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show in Shanghai made perfect sense. What could go wrong?

As it turned out, basically everything.