Gaye Raymond was the wife of Roy Raymond, who together founded the renowned lingerie brand, Victoria's Secret.
The Visionaries Behind Victoria's Secret
Victoria's Secret was established by Roy Raymond and his wife, Gaye Raymond, on June 12, 1977. The inception of the brand stemmed from Roy Raymond's personal experience of feeling embarrassed while attempting to purchase lingerie for his wife in a department store. This moment sparked the idea for a retail environment where men could comfortably shop for women's intimate apparel.
The very first Victoria's Secret store opened its doors in the Stanford Shopping Center located in Palo Alto, California. This initial venture laid the groundwork for what would become a global fashion and retail giant, transforming the way intimate wear was sold and perceived.
Key Details of Victoria's Secret's Founding
The foundational aspects of Victoria's Secret highlight the collaborative effort of its creators and the unique market gap they aimed to fill.
Here's a quick overview of the brand's origins:
| Role | Name | Contribution / Detail |
|---|---|---|
| Co-Founder | Roy Raymond | Conceived the idea for a comfortable lingerie shopping experience after a personal embarrassing moment. |
| Co-Founder & Wife | Gaye Raymond | Roy's wife, who was integral to the founding of Victoria's Secret alongside him. |
| Founding Date | June 12, 1977 | |
| First Store Location | Stanford Shopping Center, Palo Alto, California |
The vision of creating a welcoming and sophisticated shopping environment for lingerie was central to the Raymonds' concept, distinguishing Victoria's Secret from traditional department store offerings of the time.
