Roy Raymond
| Roy Raymond | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Born | April 15, 1947 Connecticut, United States |
| Died | August 26, 1993 (aged 46) Golden Gate Bridge, San Francisco, California |
| Nationality | American |
| Education | Tufts University (B.A.) Stanford GSB (MBA) |
| Known for | Founding Victoria’s Secret |
| Spouse | Gaye Raymond (divorced) |
| Children | 2 |
Roy Raymond was an American entrepreneur best known as the visionary founder of Victoria’s Secret, a brand that transformed the intimate apparel industry with its elegant presentation and customer-focused approach. Though his time with the company was brief, his concept set the stage for one of the most iconic fashion brands in the world.[1]
Early Life and Education
Roy Larson Raymond was born on April 15, 1947, in Connecticut, USA. An early entrepreneur, he started a wedding invitation business at the age of 13. He graduated from Tufts University in 1969 and later earned his MBA from the Stanford Graduate School of Business in 1971.[2]
Founding of Victoria’s Secret
The idea for Victoria’s Secret originated when Raymond felt uncomfortable shopping for lingerie for his wife in department stores. Determined to change the shopping experience for men and improve the availability of stylish lingerie, he launched Victoria’s Secret in 1977 with $40,000 of savings and $40,000 borrowed from family members.
The first store opened in the Stanford Shopping Center in Palo Alto, California. With its Victorian-inspired decor and boutique setting, Victoria’s Secret offered a unique mix of sensuality and sophistication. The brand name was carefully chosen to reflect an air of elegance and mystery.[3]
Growth and Exit
Victoria’s Secret expanded rapidly to six stores and launched a successful mail-order catalog by 1982. However, Raymond struggled to attract a female clientele and manage the scaling business. That year, he sold Victoria’s Secret to Leslie Wexner, founder of The Limited, for $1 million. Under Wexner’s leadership, the brand pivoted to target women directly and grew into a billion-dollar global empire.[4]
Post-Victoria’s Secret Ventures
Raymond remained president of Victoria’s Secret until 1984 before launching a new venture called My Child’s Destiny, a luxury children’s retail brand. The company failed to gain traction and went bankrupt in 1986. In the following years, Raymond faced personal difficulties, including a divorce and the pressures of his failed business ventures.
Tragic End
On August 26, 1993, Roy Raymond died by suicide by jumping off the Golden Gate Bridge. His tragic death came as Victoria’s Secret, the company he founded, was achieving massive success under its new ownership—highlighting the painful disconnect between his original vision and the brand’s commercial triumph.
Legacy
While Roy Raymond did not live to witness the global success of Victoria’s Secret, his concept of an elegant, male-friendly lingerie store changed how intimate apparel was marketed and sold. His entrepreneurial journey is remembered as both inspirational and cautionary—a story of innovation, lost opportunity, and the human cost of entrepreneurial failure.[5]
See Also
References
- ↑ https://www.the-sun.com/entertainment/12681981/roy-raymond-victorias-secret-founder-who/
- ↑ https://www.businessinsider.com/victorias-secret-rise-and-fall-history-2019-5
- ↑ https://www.centralmaine.com/2024/12/22/obituaryraymond-l-roy-sr-2/
- ↑ https://bainbridgega.com/2024/10/roy-raymond-wilson/
- ↑ https://www.stamfordadvocate.com/business/article/The-unknown-and-tragic-story-of-the-creator-of-16282067.php