Victoria’s Secret adds IU logo to PINK line

IU and Victoria’s Secret PINK clothing line have partnered to make University apparel for the collegiate collection line available in stores across the state.

“All of our new schools added to the collection do really well because it is something new and exciting,” said Sarah Hoekzema, Victoria’s Secret public relations manager. “We are especially excited for Indiana to join the collection.” 

The IU PINK collection offers products including boyfriend pants, pullover hoodies and T-shirts. Most large state schools are included in the collegiate line, along with some larger, private universities.

Currently, only two universities in Indiana are included – IU and Purdue. IU merchandise can be purchased at 13 stores including the College Mall in Bloomington.

“The royalty revenue will be 10 percent of the total sales that will go to the University,” said Valerie Gill, director of IU Licensing and Trademarks. She also said the revenue will go to academic scholarships as well as the athletics department.

Victoria’s Secret created the Nominate Your School competition in which shoppers can go online and vote for their school. According to Victoria’s Secret, more than 10 million votes were cast, and people could vote for any four-year college in the country. IU ranked in the top five universities.

Beyond just the consumer votes, Victoria’s Secret took student and alumni population as well as regional appeal into consideration when ultimately choosing the schools that were added to the collegiate collection, Hoekzema said.

“I think it is interesting how Victoria’s Secret has incorporated universities,” senior Maggie Lambert said. “I think a lot of girls would wear it on this campus.”

The collegiate collection debuted last July. Throughout the past year, Victoria’s Secret has added many schools, currently making collegiate apparel for 58 different universities across the country.

“I think the IU PINK line is a great idea,” senior Julianne Schweitzer said. “I like how vintage it is. It’s something different than the other IU merchandise sold here.”